How I would prepare for SC-900 in 10 days is a question I’m often asked by professionals who already understand IT basics but need a focused, no-waste approach before booking the exam.
This is not a beginner plan.
It’s a compression strategy—designed for people who:
- Already work in IT, support, infrastructure, or security
- Understand basic Microsoft concepts
- Want clarity, not overload
Below is exactly how I would prepare if I had 10 days and limited time.
Who This 10-Day SC-900 Plan Is For
This strategy works best if you:
- Are a working professional
- Have basic IT or cloud exposure
- Can dedicate 45–60 minutes per day
- Want to avoid over-studying
If you’re a complete fresher, the Day 27 study plan is a better fit.
What SC-900 Really Tests (Key Reminder)
Before jumping into the plan, align expectations.
SC-900 tests:
- Conceptual understanding
- Security, identity, and compliance principles
- Microsoft’s security mindset
SC-900 does not test:
- Portal navigation
- Configuration steps
- Troubleshooting skills
So your preparation should focus on clarity of concepts, not tools.
My SC-900 10-Day Preparation Strategy
Day 1 – SC-900 Big Picture & Identity First
Focus on:
- What SC-900 covers and why
- Why identity is the primary security perimeter
- Microsoft’s cloud-first security philosophy
If identity doesn’t click, nothing else will.
Day 2 – Authentication, Authorization & MFA
Understand clearly:
- Authentication vs authorization
- Why passwords are not enough
- How MFA reduces identity risk
This is a high-weight exam area.
Day 3 – Conditional Access & Identity Protection
Focus on concepts:
- How access decisions are made
- Why context (user, device, location) matters
- Risk-based access thinking
No need to design policies—just understand why they exist.
Day 4 – Shared Responsibility & Defense in Depth
Understand:
- Who secures what in cloud environments
- Why layered security reduces risk
- Why no single control is sufficient
This helps eliminate many trick questions.
Day 5 – Zero Trust & Least Privilege
Focus on:
- Zero Trust principles
- Least privilege access
- Why “always verify” matters
Think in terms of mindset, not products.
Day 6 – Encryption, Hashing & GRC Basics
Understand:
- Encryption vs hashing (conceptually)
- Why data protection matters
- Governance, risk, and compliance fundamentals
No algorithms. No deep crypto.
Day 7 – Microsoft Entra ID (Conceptual)
Focus on:
- What Entra ID is
- Identity types (users, devices, apps)
- Why identity centralisation matters
Avoid admin-level details.
Day 8 – Data Protection & Compliance
Cover:
- Data classification & sensitivity labels
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Audit, retention & eDiscovery
This is where many candidates under-prepare.
Day 9 – Security vs Compliance + Microsoft Security Overview
Focus on:
- Difference between security and compliance
- Why one doesn’t replace the other
- High-level understanding of Microsoft security solutions
Think protection vs proof.
Day 10 – Final Revision & Exam Readiness
Do this on the final day:
- Re-read summaries
- Explain concepts out loud
- Focus on why controls exist
- Avoid learning anything new
If you can explain concepts simply, you’re ready.
How I’d Use Each Study Session (Daily)
A simple structure:
- 20 minutes – Read one focused topic
- 20 minutes – Relate it to real-world scenarios
- 10–20 minutes – Quick revision or notes
Avoid jumping between unrelated topics.
What I Would NOT Do in 10 Days
I would not:
- Build labs
- Memorise definitions
- Watch long tool demos
- Chase advanced certifications
SC-900 rewards clarity, not effort.
Common Mistakes in Last-Minute Preparation
Many candidates:
- Over-study Microsoft tools
- Ignore compliance topics
- Rush Zero Trust concepts
- Assume SC-900 is “too easy”
This plan avoids all of those.
When You’re Ready to Book the Exam
You’re ready when you can:
- Explain Zero Trust in simple terms
- Distinguish security vs compliance
- Explain why identity is central
- Answer why instead of how
That’s exactly what SC-900 tests.
Final Thoughts: Focus Beats Time
SC-900 is not about how long you study.
It’s about how clearly you understand Microsoft’s security model.
With focused preparation, 10 days is enough.
Also, view our detailed guide on what is SC-900 to understand Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity fundamentals.
For official and up-to-date exam objectives, learning paths, and reference material, refer to Microsoft Learn’s SC-900 documentation.