Is the OCI AI Foundations Associate exam really free? +
Yes. Oracle offers the AI Foundations Associate exam and its learning path at no cost. That's also why many candidates take it unprepared and fail. It still requires 65% on 40 questions, and the OCI-specific questions about Oracle's AI services aren't something general AI familiarity covers.
How many questions are on 1Z0-1122-26 and how long is it? +
The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, and you need 65% to pass - so you can miss up to 14 questions. It covers AI and machine learning basics, deep learning, generative AI and large language models, and Oracle's AI services including OCI Generative AI and vector search in Oracle Database.
What makes OCI AI Foundations harder than it looks? +
The general AI material is introductory, but the exam names specific OCI AI services, OCI Generative AI and Oracle Database vector search, and asks which fits a given use case. Candidates fluent in AI concepts from other clouds lose points matching scenarios to the right Oracle-branded service. Learn Oracle's service names and what each one is for.
What happened to 1Z0-1122-25? +
1Z0-1122-25 retired in September 2026 and was replaced by 1Z0-1122-26. Practice sets built for earlier versions reflect older service names and emphasis, which gives candidates false confidence. Oracle also removed the year from certification titles in 2026, and OCI certifications are now valid for 24 months from the date earned.
Should I take AI Foundations or Oracle's Agentic AI Foundations exam? +
They're separate free Associate exams. AI Foundations (1Z0-1122-26) covers machine learning, deep learning, generative AI and Oracle's AI services. Agentic AI Foundations (1Z0-1157-26) focuses on AI agents and starts Oracle's new agentic AI track. If you're new to AI, start with AI Foundations; following the agentic learning path instead leaves you light on the ML and deep learning basics this exam tests.
How long should I prepare for OCI AI Foundations? +
Most candidates need 1 to 2 weeks. Work through Oracle's free AI Foundations learning path on MyLearn, then spend extra time on the OCI services section, since that's where general AI knowledge doesn't help. If you fail, Oracle lets you schedule a retake for a date after the failed attempt.