GitHub Foundations Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the GitHub Foundations certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for GitHub Foundations
Complete Study Guide for GitHub Foundations Certification
The GitHub Foundations certification validates your understanding of Git version control, GitHub platform features, collaboration workflows, and GitHub's ecosystem. This foundational certification is ideal for developers, project managers, and IT professionals who want to demonstrate their proficiency with GitHub's core features and best practices.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Software developers beginning their version control journey
- Project managers working with development teams
- IT professionals managing code repositories
- Students entering software development careers
- Technical writers and documentation specialists
- DevOps engineers starting with GitHub
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of software development concepts
- Familiarity with command-line interfaces (helpful but not required)
- General knowledge of collaborative software development
- No prior Git or GitHub experience required
Official Resources
GitHub Documentation - Getting Started
Official GitHub documentation covering all fundamental concepts including repositories, commits, branches, and pull requests
View ResourceGitHub Skills - Interactive Learning
Free interactive courses directly on GitHub that teach you by doing, covering introduction to GitHub, communication, and collaboration
View ResourceGitHub Guides
Short guides covering essential GitHub features and workflows including Hello World, Understanding the GitHub Flow, and Forking Projects
View ResourceGitHub Learning Lab
Hands-on learning experiences with real repositories and automated feedback
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn - GitHub Foundations
Microsoft's official learning path for GitHub, covering repositories, collaboration, and GitHub features
View ResourceGitHub Blog - Product Updates
Stay updated with latest GitHub features, best practices, and announcements
View ResourceRecommended Courses
Recommended Books
Pro Git (2nd Edition)
by Scott Chacon and Ben Straub
The definitive guide to Git, covering everything from basics to advanced topics. Also available free online at git-scm.com
View on AmazonGitHub For Dummies
by Sarah Guthals and Phil Haack
Beginner-friendly guide to GitHub covering repositories, collaboration, and GitHub features
View on AmazonLearning Git: A Hands-On and Visual Guide
by Anna Skoulikari
Visual approach to learning Git with practical examples and illustrations
View on AmazonGit for Teams
by Emma Jane Hogbin Westby
Focuses on collaborative workflows and team-based Git usage
View on AmazonHead First Git
by Raju Gandhi
Brain-friendly guide to Git with engaging visual learning approach
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
GitHub Skills
Interactive hands-on courses that run directly in GitHub repositories with automated feedback
View ResourceLearn Git Branching
Interactive visual tool to learn Git branching through gamified challenges
View ResourceGitHub Learning Lab
Automated courses that teach you GitHub by guiding you through real projects
View ResourceGit-it Desktop App
Desktop application with challenges to learn Git and GitHub basics
View ResourceGitHub Free Account
Create a free GitHub account to practice all features in real environment
View ResourceVisualizing Git
Interactive sandbox to visualize how Git commands affect repository structure
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
GitHub Community
Official GitHub community forum for questions, discussions, and announcements
Join CommunityGitHub YouTube Channel
Official GitHub videos, tutorials, and feature announcements
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice
- Create a personal portfolio repository to practice all GitHub features
- Contribute to open-source projects to experience real-world workflows
- Intentionally create merge conflicts in test repositories to practice resolution
- Practice both command-line Git and GitHub web interface—know both well
- Create a test organization account to understand team management features
Understanding vs Memorization
- Focus on understanding Git's graph structure rather than memorizing commands
- Learn why certain workflows exist, not just how to execute them
- Understand the problem each GitHub feature solves (Issues for tracking, PRs for review, etc.)
- Draw diagrams of branch structures and merge scenarios to visualize concepts
- Use GitHub's visualization tools to see the impact of Git operations
Exam-Specific Strategies
- The exam is 75 questions in 75 minutes—that's 1 minute per question, so pace yourself
- Focus heavily on 'Working with Repositories' as it's 30% of the exam
- Know the difference between public, private, and internal repositories
- Understand GitHub pricing tiers and which features are available in each
- Be familiar with GitHub's collaboration workflow terminology (fork, clone, pull request, merge)
- Know when to use branches vs forks for different collaboration scenarios
Documentation Mastery
- Bookmark and familiarize yourself with GitHub Docs structure
- Review GitHub's glossary of terms to ensure consistent understanding
- Read GitHub's official guides on workflow patterns
- Understand GitHub's recommended best practices for repository management
- Review GitHub's security documentation, especially authentication methods
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't confuse Git commands with GitHub features—know what's Git and what's GitHub-specific
- Don't skip learning Markdown—it's used extensively in GitHub
- Don't only use GitHub Desktop or GUI tools—understand underlying Git commands
- Don't overlook GitHub administration basics like permissions and access control
- Don't forget about GitHub Mobile and CLI—know they exist and their basic purposes
Week Before Exam
- Review all four exam domains with equal attention to their weightings
- Create flashcards for GitHub terminology and definitions
- Take at least two full-length practice exams under timed conditions
- Review your weakest domain identified from practice tests
- Do a final hands-on review: create a repo, make branches, create PRs, resolve conflicts
- Review GitHub's product offerings and know which features belong to which plan
Exam Day Tips
- 1Read each question carefully—some ask what is NOT correct or what to avoid
- 2Watch for scenario-based questions that describe a workflow and ask for best practice
- 3If unsure, eliminate obviously wrong answers first to improve odds
- 4Remember the exam is about GitHub's way of doing things, not general best practices
- 5Time management is crucial—don't spend more than 90 seconds on any single question
- 6Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones
- 7Trust your hands-on experience—if you've practiced, your muscle memory will help
- 8Look for keywords in questions that hint at specific features (e.g., 'track work' suggests Issues)
- 9The passing score is 700/1000 (70%)—you don't need perfection
- 10Stay calm and confident—this is a foundational exam designed to be achievable
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
GitHub Foundations 2025 Study Guide FAQs
GitHub Foundations is a professional certification from Microsoft Azure that validates expertise in github foundations technologies and concepts. The official exam code is AZURE-5.
The GitHub Foundations Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 GitHub Foundations study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the AZURE-5 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources