Exam comparison
AI-901 vs AIF-C01: which AI certification to choose
Who should take each exam
AI-901 targets beginners discovering AI and machine learning through Azure services. Microsoft states: “You also need knowledge of Python coding syntax and programming techniques.”
AIF-C01 is designed for aspiring AI practitioners who want to validate foundational concepts in AI, machine learning, generative AI, and security. AWS describes it as validating “foundational knowledge of AI/ML concepts and generative AI on AWS”.
In short: choose AI-901 if you work with Azure; choose AIF-C01 if you work with AWS.
Exam format and content
| AI-901 | AIF-C01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals | AWS Certified AI Practitioner |
| Code | AI-901 | AIF-C01 |
| Duration | 45 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Number of questions | Not published | 50 scored + 15 unscored |
| Passing score | 700 | 700 |
| Prerequisites | Knowledge of Python coding syntax and programming techniques | None (AWS knowledge recommended) |
| Languages | 13 languages (Arabic, English, Chinese S/T, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese BR, Russian, Spanish) | 12 languages, including English and French. AWS: “exam in Italian and German will be retired after October 15, 2026”. |
| Proctored | Not published | Yes |
Domains and competencies evaluated
AI-901
- Identify AI concepts and capabilities 40–45 %
- Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry 55–60 %
AIF-C01
- Fundamentals of AI and ML 20 %
- Fundamentals of GenAI 24 %
- Applications of foundation models 28 %
- Guidelines for responsible AI 14 %
- Security, Compliance, and Governance for AI Solutions 14 %
Overlaps and key differences
Overlaps: both exams cover AI and machine learning fundamentals, responsible AI, and ethical principles.
Key differences:
- AI-901 emphasizes implementing AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry and offers a shorter exam duration (45 minutes).
- AIF-C01 focuses on AI/ML concepts and generative AI on AWS, includes a security, compliance, and governance domain (14%), includes unscored questions for continuous exam improvement, and runs for 90 minutes.
Which to choose based on your profile
Choose AI-901 if…
- You work primarily with Azure.
- You want a quick certification (45 minutes).
- You need to demonstrate knowledge of Azure AI services.
Choose AIF-C01 if…
- You are interested in AWS certifications or an AWS specialized career path.
- You can dedicate 90 minutes to a more comprehensive exam.
Resources and preparation
Consult the official pages:
Try both, free
Original questions, each answer explained with a link to the documentation. Study mode is free and needs no account.
Practice Exam AI-901: Azure AI Fundamentals
25 free questions with explanations
Practice Exam AIF-C01: AWS Certified AI Practitioner
25 free questions with explanations