If you plan to take the OCI 2025 Foundations Associate exam (1Z0-1085-25), you should know what to expect. This certification evaluates your basic knowledge of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and is most appropriate for beginners. In this guide, we'll go over the exam format, key topics, question types, and study techniques to help you pass on your first attempt.

Exam Overview: 1Z0-1085-25

For individuals who are new to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, the OCI Foundations Associate exam (1Z0-1085-25) is an entry-level certification. It verifies your comprehension of fundamental architecture, cloud concepts, and core OCI services.

Exam Details:

Exam Code: 1Z0-1085-25

Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-select questions

Duration: 90 minutes

Number of Questions: Around 50-60

Passing Score: Approximately 65-70% (Oracle does not disclose exact passing scores)

Cost: $150 USD (prices may vary by region)

Key Topics Covered in the OCI 2025 Foundations Associate Exam

The exam focuses on six major domains. Here’s what you need to study:

1. Cloud Concepts (15-20%)

Understand cloud computing basics (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

Compare public, private, and hybrid cloud models

Learn about Oracle Cloud’s global infrastructure (regions, availability domains, fault domains)

2. Core OCI Services (25-30%)

Compute: Virtual Machines (VMs), Bare Metal, Kubernetes

Networking: Virtual Cloud Network (VCN), Subnets, Load Balancers

Storage: Block Volumes, Object Storage, File Storage

Database: Autonomous Database, Exadata DB Systems

3. Security and Identity (20-25%)

Identity and Access Management (IAM): Users, groups, policies

Security best practices: Encryption, key management, network security

OCI Compliance and Shared Security Model

4. Pricing and Support (10-15%)

OCI Pricing Models: Pay-as-you-go, Universal Credits

Cost Management Tools: Cost Analysis, Budgets, Alerts

Oracle Support Plans and SLAs

5. Governance and Administration (15-20%)

Monitoring & Logging: OCI Monitoring, Logging, Notifications

Resource Management: Compartments, Tags, Policies

Governance Tools: Audit Logs, Compliance Reports

Types of Questions in the 1Z0-1085-25 Exam

The OCI 2025 Foundations Associate exam includes different question formats:

1. Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Example:
"Which OCI service provides serverless computing?"
A) Compute Instances
B) Functions
C) Kubernetes Engine
D) Bare Metal
Correct Answer: B) Functions

2. Multiple Select (Choose 2 or 3 Correct Answers)

Example:
"Which two are features of OCI Object Storage?"
A) High durability
B) Low-latency performance
C) Automatic backups
D) Unlimited scalability
Correct Answers: A) High durability, D) Unlimited scalability

3. Scenario-Based Questions

Example:
"A company wants to deploy a highly available web application with auto-scaling. Which OCI services should they use?"
A) Compute + Object Storage
B) Load Balancer + Auto Scaling + Compute
C) Bare Metal + File Storage
D) Functions + NoSQL Database
Correct Answer: B) Load Balancer + Auto Scaling + Compute

How to Prepare for the OCI Foundations Associate Exam in 20251. Study the Official Exam Guide

Download the latest exam syllabus from Oracle’s certification website.

Focus on the weightage of each topic to prioritize study time.

2. Take Oracle’s Free Training

Complete the OCI Foundations course on Oracle University.

Watch OCI Architecture and Services videos on YouTube.

3. Hands-on Practice with OCI Free Tier

Sign up for the OCI Free Tier and experiment with:

Creating a VCN

Launching a Compute Instance

Setting up Object Storage

4. Use Practice Tests

Take mock exams to test your knowledge.

Identify weak areas and review them.

5. Join Study Groups & Forums

Engage with other learners on Oracle Community forums.

Ask questions and discuss tricky topics.

Final Tips for Success in the OCI 2025 Foundations Associate ExamPrioritize practical experience over memorization if you want to pass the 1Z0-1085-25 exam. Compute, Networking, and IAM are core OCI services that are extensively tested. To become accustomed to the format of the questions, use practice tests. For the latest information on new OCI features, consult Oracle's official documentation. On test day, carefully read each question and cross out any incorrect responses first. You can develop a solid cloud career and obtain your OCI Foundations Associate certification with the correct preparation.