SC-900 Study Plan for Freshers is designed for learners who are new to IT, cybersecurity, or Microsoft cloud concepts and want a clear, confidence-building path to their first Microsoft certification.
If terms like identity, Zero Trust, or compliance feel overwhelming, that’s normal. SC-900 is specifically built to introduce these ideas without requiring technical experience.
This guide shows you how freshers can prepare step by step, without confusion or burnout.
Who This Study Plan Is For
This plan is ideal if you are:
- A fresher or final-year student
- A career switcher moving into IT or cybersecurity
- From a non-technical background
- Preparing for your first Microsoft certification
If you can study 45–60 minutes a day, this plan works well.
What Freshers Need to Understand About SC-900
Before starting, it’s important to reset expectations.
SC-900 is:
- Conceptual, not technical
- Focused on understanding, not configuration
- About how Microsoft thinks about security
SC-900 does not require:
- Coding
- Networking expertise
- Admin or portal experience
That’s why it’s a strong entry point.
How Long Should Freshers Prepare?
For beginners:
- 14–18 days is ideal
- 45–60 minutes per day
- Slower pace = better understanding
Trying to rush SC-900 as a fresher usually creates confusion.
SC-900 Study Plan for Freshers (Step-by-Step)
Phase 1: Security & Identity Basics (Days 1–6)
Day 1 – What Is SC-900 & Why It Matters
Understand the exam purpose and scope
Day 2 – Identity Fundamentals
Why identity is the foundation of modern security
Day 3 – Authentication vs Authorization
Who you are vs what you can access
Day 4 – Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Why passwords alone are not enough
Day 5 – Conditional Access (Conceptual)
How access decisions are made dynamically
Day 6 – Shared Responsibility Model
Who secures what in the cloud
Phase 2: Core Security Concepts (Days 7–11)
Day 7 – Defense in Depth
Why layered security reduces risk
Day 8 – Zero Trust Model
Never trust, always verify
Day 9 – Least Privilege Access
Why minimal access is safer
Day 10 – Encryption vs Hashing
How data is protected (conceptually)
Day 11 – GRC Fundamentals
Governance, risk, and compliance basics
Phase 3: Microsoft Security & Compliance (Days 12–16)
Day 12 – Microsoft Entra ID Overview
What Microsoft’s identity platform does
Day 13 – Data Classification & Sensitivity Labels
Protecting information by importance
Day 14 – Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Preventing accidental data leaks
Day 15 – Audit, Retention & eDiscovery
Visibility and accountability
Day 16 – Security vs Compliance
Understanding protection vs proof
Phase 4: Final Review & Readiness (Days 17–18)
Day 17 – Revision Day
Revisit weak areas and key terms
Day 18 – Exam Readiness Check
Practice explaining concepts in your own words
If you can explain topics without memorising definitions, you’re ready.
How Freshers Should Study Each Day
Use a simple structure:
- 20 minutes – Read one concept
- 20 minutes – Watch a beginner-friendly explanation
- 10–20 minutes – Summarise in your own words
Avoid jumping to advanced topics.
Do Freshers Need Hands-On Labs?
No.
For SC-900:
- Hands-on labs are not required
- Concept clarity matters more
- Screenshots and diagrams are enough
Hands-on skills come later with role-based certifications.
Common Mistakes Freshers Make
Freshers often:
- Try to memorise definitions
- Skip compliance topics
- Rush into advanced certifications
- Compare themselves to experienced professionals
SC-900 is about building confidence, not proving expertise.
When Is a Fresher Ready for the Exam?
You’re ready when you can:
- Explain identity in simple terms
- Describe Zero Trust without buzzwords
- Distinguish security vs compliance
- Explain why controls exist
If you understand why, not just what, you’re ready.
What Comes After SC-900 for Freshers?
A common path:
- SC-900 → AZ-900 → SC-300
SC-900 gives you the foundation needed for everything that follows.
Final Thoughts: SC-900 Is a Confidence Builder
For freshers, SC-900 is not just an exam.
It’s a structured introduction to modern IT security thinking.
With the right pace and mindset, it’s absolutely achievable — even with no prior IT background.
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.
What’s Next in the SC-900 Series
Next, we’ll cover:
How I Would Prepare for SC-900 in 10 Days: An Expert Strategy