There’s a moment in every DevOps journey when things just click. For me, it was watching a release pipeline deploy cleanly across environments—tests green, security checks baked in, zero drama. That moment is exactly what the AZ-400 certification is about.

The Microsoft AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions exam leads to the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert credential. This is not an entry-level badge. It’s designed for professionals who already understand Azure and want to prove they can design, build, secure, and continuously improve end-to-end DevOps pipelines.

Unlike associate-level certs that focus on administration or development tasks, AZ-400 goes deeper:

• End-to-end CI/CD pipeline design
• Secure software supply chains
• Observability, monitoring, and feedback loops
• Collaboration across dev, ops, and security

Prerequisites matter. You must already hold AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) or AZ-204 (Azure Developer Associate) before earning the DevOps Engineer Expert certification.

Why does this matter in 2026? Because DevOps is no longer just about speed. Organizations now expect secure, AI-augmented, compliance-ready pipelines, often powered by tools like GitHub Copilot, Azure DevOps, and GitHub Advanced Security. AZ-400 sits right at that intersection. 🚀

Exam Basics in 2026

Before you crack open Microsoft Learn, get clear on the logistics. The AZ-400 exam structure hasn’t changed dramatically, but details matter.

🔍 Note: The skills outline was last updated July 26, 2024. Always verify the latest details on the official exam page before booking.

AZ-400 Exam Overview

Item	Details
Exam Name	Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
Exam Code	AZ-400
Duration	~180 minutes
Question Types	Multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop, labs
Passing Score	700 / 1000
Cost	USD $165 (varies by region)
Languages	English + multiple localized options
Delivery	Online proctored or test center

Expect scenario-heavy questions. Microsoft loves real-world context—no trivia for trivia’s sake.

Skills Breakdown: What the Exam Really Tests

The AZ-400 exam focuses on five major skill domains. Understanding how they fit together is key.

Skill Area	Weight
Design and implement processes and communications	10–15%
Design and implement source control	10–15%
Design and implement build and release pipelines	50–55%
Develop a security and compliance plan	10–15%
Implement an instrumentation strategy	5–10%

Yes—pipelines dominate the exam. Let’s break this down like a practitioner, not a syllabus reader.

Mastering Pipelines: The 50–55% Core

If you pass AZ-400, pipelines are why.

What Microsoft Expects

You should be comfortable designing CI/CD pipelines using:

• Azure DevOps Pipelines
• GitHub Actions
• YAML-based pipelines
• Multi-stage deployments

Key Focus Areas

• Pipeline triggers (CI vs CD)
• Environment approvals and gates
• Artifact management
• Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Bicep, Terraform basics)

From experience: Most failed attempts I’ve seen come from candidates who read pipelines but never built one end to end. Hands-on work is non-negotiable here. ✅

Designing Secure and Compliant Workflows

Security is no longer “someone else’s job.”

Exam Hotspots

• Secure DevOps practices (DevSecOps)
• Secret management (Key Vault integration)
• Dependency scanning and code analysis
• Compliance policies and audits

In 2026, expect scenarios involving secure supply chains and automated security checks baked directly into pipelines.

Source Control That Scales

Source control questions are deceptively simple—and easy points if you’ve done the work.

You Should Know

• Git branching strategies (GitFlow, trunk-based)
• Pull request policies
• Repo permissions and governance
• Managing large teams with GitHub or Azure Repos

Think less “how to create a repo” and more “how to manage change at scale.”

Processes, Communication, and Collaboration

DevOps isn’t just tooling—it’s culture.

Exam Themes

• Agile vs Scrum vs Kanban in real teams
• Work item tracking integration
• Feedback loops between dev and ops
• Documentation and knowledge sharing

Microsoft often frames these questions around cross-team friction. Your job is to fix it.

Instrumentation and Observability

Small section. Big impact.

Focus On

• Azure Monitor
• Application Insights
• Log Analytics
• Dashboards and alerts

This section tests whether you can measure what matters, not just collect logs.

A Proven Study Approach That Works

Here’s the path I recommend—and the one I’ve seen work repeatedly.

Step 1: Microsoft Learn (Free and Essential)

Start with the official Microsoft Learn AZ-400 learning path. It’s aligned directly with exam objectives and updated regularly.

Step 2: Hands-On Labs

Spin up:

• A GitHub repo
• A YAML pipeline
• A simple app deployment

Break things. Fix them. That’s where understanding sticks.

Step 3: Targeted Practice Exams

Once fundamentals are solid, practice questions help identify gaps. Some candidates have found resources like
👉 https://www.leads4pass.com/az-400.html
useful for realistic, scenario-based questions. Treat these as diagnostics, not shortcuts.

Step 4: Final Review

Revisit weak areas, especially pipelines and security integration.

Free Bonus: 15 Practice Questions PDF

To help you test your knowledge right away, I’ve put together a free PDF with 15 up-to-date practice questions, covering all AZ-400 skill areas with detailed explanations.

👉 Download it here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16x8F5s1sLidT5oKEngi8WMoT-mYP2Tff/

Exam Day Strategies

A few hard-earned tips:

• Manage your time. Case studies can eat minutes fast.
• Read “best practice” carefully. Microsoft often wants the most scalable or most secure answer.
• Don’t overthink tools. Focus on outcomes, not brand loyalty.
• Labs ≠ panic. If you’ve practiced, labs feel familiar.

After You Pass: Renewal, Badges, and Career Impact

Passing AZ-400 unlocks more than a line on your résumé.

Certification & Badge

• Digital badge issued via Credly
• Valid for one year
• Free online renewal assessment—no re-exam required

Career Impact in 2026

Demand for DevOps Engineers continues to grow, especially those who understand:

• Secure CI/CD pipelines
• Cloud-native automation
• AI-assisted development workflows

Typical roles:

• DevOps Engineer
• Platform Engineer
• Site Reliability Engineer

Salary snapshot (approximate):

• US: $120,000 – $160,000
• Global: varies widely, but consistently above cloud averages

Pro tip: Share your badge on LinkedIn, contribute to open-source, and mentor others. Visibility compounds.

Final Thoughts

AZ-400 is challenging—but fair. If you combine focused study, hands-on practice, and real-world thinking, passing is absolutely within reach.

Build pipelines. Secure them. Measure everything.
And before you book, always double-check the latest skills outline on the official Microsoft Learn exam page. 🔍

You’ve got this.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the AZ-400 certification worth it in 2026?

Yes. Organizations increasingly need DevOps experts who can design secure, scalable pipelines—not just maintain them.

2. How hard is the AZ-400 exam compared to AZ-104 or AZ-204?

It’s more complex. AZ-400 focuses on architecture, integration, and decision-making across teams.

3. Can I pass AZ-400 without real-world DevOps experience?

It’s possible, but much harder. Hands-on labs dramatically improve your chances.

4. How long should I study for AZ-400?

Most candidates need 8–12 weeks, depending on prior experience.

5. Do I need to renew AZ-400 every year?

Yes, but renewal is free and online—no full exam required.