Alright, so you want to pass the Azure AZ-104 certification. Here's some of our experiences on how to make it. AZ-104 has a strong focus on managing Azure resources like networks, VMs, storage, users, permisssions. This is a bit different from AZ-203 which has a stronger focus on code.
Prepare
You'll need to learn a broad array of concepts for this certification. The big sections (see study guide) are:
Compute
Storage
Networking
Identities and Governance
Each section covers a lot of different services and you'll need to know all of them to a certain degree.
The first step is to get the big picture. Use courses or literature to get an overview:
John Savill's AZ-104 Study Cram (4h) - covers all relevant topics, great didactics, comparatively short
CloudGuru: AZ-104 - not recommended. Very long and not great explanations. A bit boring.
CloudGuru: Azure Fundamentals - short and entertaining. Great if you're a cloud beginner.
Microsoft's Study Guide - lists all topics you'll need to cover. Use as an orientation. Don't be scared of the long list.
it-prüfungen real Questions and Answers. With Simulator (Only for Windows) you can do real exams. You can use it to learn sections, you dont answer right.
Hands on in labs Next is that you start to get hands-on. Create & configure resources and build infrastructure.
Create a personal Azure account. You'll get a $200 credit for the first 30 days and many services for free in the first 12 months.
Create and configure different kinds of services
Get creative, play around slightly smiling face
Review your knowledge Deepen and review your knowledge. Go through example questions. Understand and memorize the specific questions you’ll be asked. Get familiar with the way questions are asked.
Use question dumps. Go through as many questions as possible.
it-prüfungen real Questions and Answers. With simulator (only for windows) you can do real exams with points calculation.
examtopics.com (Hint: the most popular answer can be wrong. Read the discussion for each answer!)
Microsoft sample questions
Microsoft's Practice Assessment be careful with this, its mostly easier than the real questions
and other sources
If you don't know an answer, do your research and try things hands-on in Azure.
Often, the official Azure documentation will help.
Use Microsoft Learn During Exam to review your questions at the end (directly accessible in OnVue Application)
Exam
Once you feel more or less ready (you don't need to be perfect), register for the exam. Follow this guide. Do the exam on-site in a test center. Exams at home are not recommended. Update: For me exam at home worked well, you need to open OnVue application with Rosetta on Mac M Chips to work.
Bildschirmfoto 2025-02-20 um 14.57.05.png During the exam: you'll have around two hours to complete all questions. However, check the exact conditions and ask in the test center. Very probably, you'll have enough time, but don't waste it. If you don't know an answer, mark the answer, skip to the next and answer later. Be aware that at the end of the exam, there may be an additional case study.
Once you submit your questions, you'll get your result. Congratulations for passing! 😎
Further reading Official Azure Documentation and training modules
John Savill: Azure Master Class - Github | Youtube Deepen your understanding of selected topics.
Mental Map of all topics
Naming conventions in Azure
Talk to certified colleagues Benefit from the many colleagues who got their AZ-104 already. There’s two way to find them:
Ask in Slack: #guild-azure or #ops-azure