Exam comparison
AIF-C01 vs AI-901: AWS or Azure AI fundamentals?
Both are entry-level AI exams tied to one cloud, so start with the cloud you work in. AI-901 expects basic Python and puts 55 to 60% of the exam on building with Microsoft Foundry. AIF-C01's largest domain is Applications of Foundation Models, at 28%.
Free, no account needed. Every question has an explanation and a source link.
Side by side
| Fact | AIF-C01 | AI-901 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | AWS | Microsoft |
| Level | Foundational | Foundational |
| Length | 90 minutes | About 45 minutes |
| Questions | 65 questions (50 scored, 15 unscored) | 40 to 60 questions |
| Passing score | 700 on a 100 to 1,000 scale | 700 on a 1,000 scale |
| Price | $100 USD | Set by country; $99 USD in the United States |
| Question types | Multiple choice, multiple response, ordering, matching | Multiple choice and other Microsoft item types |
| Where you take it | Pearson VUE test center or online proctored | Online proctored or Pearson VUE test center |
| Valid for | 3 years | Fundamentals certifications do not expire |
| Languages | English and 11 other languages | English and 12 other languages |
| Exam domains | 5 | 2 |
| Free practice here | 65 questions | 50 questions |
From each provider's certification page and exam guide, checked 2026-09-15. Fees are US list prices. Providers change fees and formats, so confirm before you book.
What sets them apart
- AIF-C01 costs $100 USD. AI-901's fee is set by country; $99 USD in the United States.
- AIF-C01 is valid for 3 years. AI-901 is a Microsoft Fundamentals certification, and those do not expire.
- AIF-C01 takes 90 minutes for 65 questions (50 scored, 15 unscored). AI-901 takes about 45 minutes for 40 to 60 questions.
- Responsible AI (14%) and security (14%) are domains of their own in AIF-C01. AI-901 has only two domains, one for concepts and one for implementation.
- AI-901 replaced AI-900, so a comparison that still describes AI-900 is out of date.
Which one fits you
Pick AIF-C01 if
Your team builds on AWS. The exam tests AI fundamentals, Amazon Bedrock, responsible AI and security decisions there.
Written for cloud practitioners, business analysts, and developers starting with AI on AWS.
Pick AI-901 if
Your team builds on Azure and you can read basic Python. The exam covers AI concepts and hands-on work with Microsoft Foundry: speech, vision and information extraction.
Written for people beginning AI development with Azure resources and basic Python knowledge.
What each exam covers
Domains and their share of the exam, from each provider's exam guide, largest first.
AIF-C01
| Domain | Share |
|---|---|
| Applications of Foundation Models | 28% |
| Fundamentals of Generative AI | 24% |
| Fundamentals of AI and ML | 20% |
| Guidelines for Responsible AI | 14% |
| Security, Compliance, and Governance for AI Solutions | 14% |
AI-901
| Domain | Share |
|---|---|
| Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry | 55 to 60% |
| Identify AI concepts and capabilities | 40 to 45% |
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