How to Prepare for Azure Administrator Certification (AZ-104) in 2 Months

Table of Contents

• Understanding the AZ-104 Exam
• Prerequisites and Assumptions
• Creating a 2-Month Study Plan
• Essential Resources for Preparation
• Hands-On Practice: The Key to Mastery
• Deep Dive into Key Topics
• Tips for Success During Preparation
• Exam Day Preparation
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Understanding the AZ-104 Exam

The AZ-104 exam is designed for those who want to prove their expertise as Azure administrators. It's a role-based certification from Microsoft that focuses on real-world tasks like implementing, managing, and monitoring Azure solutions. Passing this exam earns you the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate badge, which can open doors to better job opportunities and higher salaries in cloud computing.

What makes this exam stand out is its emphasis on practical skills. You'll be tested on scenarios that mimic what Azure admins do daily. The exam lasts about 100 minutes and includes various question types, such as multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and case studies. While the exact number of questions isn't fixed, expect around 40-60. The passing score is typically 700 out of 1000. It's available in multiple languages, and the cost varies by region, usually around $165 USD.

The skills measured are grouped into five main categories, each with a weight in the exam:

• Manage Azure identities and governance (20-25%)
• Implement and manage storage (15-20%)
• Deploy and manage Azure compute resources (20-25%)
• Implement and manage virtual networking (15-20%)
• Monitor and maintain Azure resources (10-15%)

These categories cover everything from user management to backup strategies. Don't worry if this sounds overwhelming—we'll break it down later.

Prerequisites and Assumptions

Before jumping in, let's talk about what you need. Microsoft recommends familiarity with operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization. Experience with tools like PowerShell, Azure CLI, and the Azure portal is helpful. If you're completely new to Azure, consider starting with the AZ-900 fundamentals certification to build a base. However, if you have some IT background, two months is doable.

This guide assumes you're dedicating 10-15 hours per week. If you're working full-time, adjust accordingly. Consistency is key—think of it as building a habit rather than cramming. Also, you'll need an Azure free account for practice, which gives you credits to experiment without cost.

Creating a 2-Month Study Plan

A solid plan is your roadmap to success. In two months (about 8 weeks), we'll divide the time into phases: foundation building, deep learning, practice, and review. Aim for daily sessions of 1-2 hours, with longer ones on weekends for hands-on work.

Here's a sample schedule in a table format for clarity:

Adapt this based on your strengths. Track progress weekly and adjust if a topic takes longer. Remember, quality over quantity—understand concepts deeply.

Essential Resources for Preparation

Choosing the right tools can make or break your prep. Start with free ones from Microsoft.

• Microsoft Learn: Free interactive modules aligned with exam objectives. Complete the AZ-104 learning path.
• Official Study Guide: Download from Microsoft's site for detailed topic breakdowns.
• YouTube Channels: John Savill's Azure Master Class or free courses from freeCodeCamp.
• Books: "Exam Ref AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator" for in-depth reading.
• Practice Tests: Whizlabs, Tutorials Dojo, or Microsoft's practice assessment.
• Communities: Join Reddit's r/AZURE or LinkedIn groups for tips and motivation.

Budget for premium resources if possible, like A Cloud Guru courses. Mix reading, watching, and doing for best retention.

Hands-On Practice: The Key to Mastery

Theory alone won't cut it Azure is hands-on. Sign up for a free Azure account and build environments. For example, create a virtual machine, set up storage, and configure networks. Follow labs from Microsoft Learn.

Spend at least 30% of your time practicing. Use Azure CLI or PowerShell for automation. This builds confidence for exam scenarios. If credits run low, delete resources to save costs.

Deep Dive into Key Topics

Let's explore each category in detail. I'll explain concepts simply, with examples.

Manage Azure Identities and Governance

This section is about controlling access and policies. Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) is central—it's like a directory for users and groups.

• Create and manage users/groups: Add employees, assign roles.
• Licenses and external users: Handle subscriptions, invite guests.
• Self-service password reset: Let users reset passwords securely.
• Roles and access: Use RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) to grant permissions, like "Reader" or "Contributor."
• Policies and locks: Enforce rules, prevent deletions.
• Tags and costs: Organize resources, monitor spending with budgets.

Think of it as setting up security in an office building who gets keys, what rooms they access.

In practice, you'll assign roles at scopes like subscription or resource group. For costs, use Azure Advisor for savings tips. This area requires understanding hierarchies in Azure.

Implement and Manage Storage

Storage is where data lives. Azure offers blobs (files), files (shares), and more.

• Storage accounts: Create general-purpose or blob-specific.
• Redundancy: Options like LRS (locally redundant) for backups.
• Access: SAS tokens for temporary access, keys for permanent.
• Azure Files: Like network drives for VMs.
• Blob features: Tiers (hot/cool/archive), lifecycle management to save costs.
• Tools: Use AzCopy for transfers, Explorer for management.

Example: Store website images in blobs, configure hot tier for frequent access. Encryption is automatic, but you manage keys.

This topic emphasizes security firewalls, virtual networks to restrict access. Practice creating shares and uploading data.

Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

Compute is the "brain" VMs, containers, apps.

• ARM templates/Bicep: JSON or simpler files for deployments.
• Virtual machines: Create, encrypt disks, scale sets for multiple.
• Containers: Use ACI for simple, ACA for advanced.
• App Service: Host web apps, configure scaling, backups.

ARM is like blueprints modify and deploy. For VMs, choose sizes based on needs, add disks. Availability sets/zones prevent downtime.

Practice deploying a web app with custom domain. This section is heavy on automation.

Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

Networking connects everything securely.

• Virtual networks/subnets: Like private networks.
• Peering: Connect networks.
• Security groups: Firewall rules.
• Bastion: Secure RDP/SSH.
• DNS and load balancers: Resolve names, distribute traffic.

Example: Set up a VNet, add NSG to allow port 80. Troubleshoot connectivity with tools.

Understand public/private IPs, endpoints for PaaS.

Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources

Keep things running smoothly.

• Azure Monitor: Metrics, logs, alerts.
• Network Watcher: Diagnose issues.
• Backup: Vaults, policies for VMs/storage.
• Recovery: Site Recovery for disasters.

Set alerts for high CPU. Query logs for errors. This is crucial for ongoing management.

By covering these, you'll be exam-ready. Each topic builds on others, so connect them in practice.

Tips for Success During Preparation

Stay motivated with these strategies.

• Daily review: Recap what you learned.
• Join study groups: Discuss on forums.
• Take notes: Summarize key commands.
• Avoid burnout: Take breaks, exercise.
• Track weak areas: Focus more there.
• Use flashcards for terms like RBAC, VNet.

Many pass on first try with consistent effort. If stuck, search docs or ask online.

Exam Day Preparation

On the big day, be calm. Schedule via Pearson VUE. Arrive early for online proctoring.

• Review notes morning of.
• Read questions carefully.
• Flag tough ones, return later.
• Use elimination for multiples.
• Manage time aim to finish early.

After, celebrate! Retake policy allows quick retries if needed.

Conclusion

Preparing for the AZ-104 in two months is challenging but achievable with a structured plan, quality resources, and hands-on practice. We've covered the exam basics, a tailored study schedule, key topics explained simply, and tips to keep you on track. Remember, this certification isn't just a test it's a stepping stone to mastering Azure and advancing your career. Stay consistent, practice regularly, and you'll cross the finish line. Good luck; you've got this!

FAQs

What is the AZ-104 certification?

The AZ-104 is the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification, validating skills in managing Azure cloud services like storage, compute, and networking.

Is two months enough to prepare for AZ-104?

Yes, with 10-15 hours weekly and some IT background, it's possible. Beginners might need AZ-900 first.

What are the main topics in AZ-104?

Main topics include identities/governance, storage, compute, networking, and monitoring/maintenance.

Do I need prior experience for AZ-104?

Recommended but not required. Familiarity with IT concepts helps.

How much does the AZ-104 exam cost?

Around $165 USD, varying by region.

What is the passing score for AZ-104?

700 out of 1000.

Can I take the exam online?

Yes, through proctored online sessions via Pearson VUE.

What resources are best for AZ-104 prep?

Microsoft Learn, official study guide, practice tests from Whizlabs, and YouTube tutorials.

Is hands-on practice necessary?

Absolutely, use a free Azure account to build and manage resources.

How many questions are on the AZ-104 exam?

Around 40-60, including various types.

What if I fail the exam?

You can retake after 24 hours, with policies for subsequent attempts.

Does AZ-104 expire?

Certifications are valid for one year; renew via online assessment.

Should I learn PowerShell for AZ-104?

Yes, it's useful for automation and exam scenarios.

Are there free practice tests for AZ-104?

Yes, Microsoft offers a free practice assessment.

What is Microsoft Entra ID?

It's Azure's identity service for managing users and access.

How to manage costs during practice?

Use free tier, delete resources after use, set budgets.

Is AZ-104 harder than AZ-900?

Yes, it's more in-depth and assumes foundational knowledge.

Can I prepare without a subscription?

No, hands-on requires an Azure account, but free credits are available.

What jobs can I get with AZ-104?

Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, IT Operations roles.

How to stay updated on Azure changes?

Follow Azure blog, updates in Microsoft Learn.