How to Prepare for the AZ-104 Certification Exam

If you’re aiming to pass the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam, you’re embarking on an exciting journey toward validating your cloud skills. The AZ-104 exam is designed for those looking to prove their expertise in managing Azure subscriptions, deploying and managing virtual networks, and maintaining cloud infrastructure. Whether you’re a beginner or already have some experience with Azure, this guide will help you prepare efficiently and effectively.

1. Understanding the AZ-104 Exam Structure

Before diving into study resources, it’s essential to understand what the exam covers. The AZ-104 exam assesses your ability to handle the following tasks:

• Manage Azure identities and governance
• Implement and manage storage
• Deploy and manage Azure compute resources
• Configure and manage virtual networking
• Monitor and back up Azure resources

Prerequisites:
While no formal prerequisites are required, it's recommended to have basic experience with Azure (such as completing the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification) and some general IT knowledge.

2. Microsoft Learn: The Core Resource

The Microsoft Learn platform offers free, interactive learning modules that are crucial for your preparation. It provides hands-on labs, quizzes, and step-by-step instructions for Azure tasks.

• Modules to Focus On:
  • Azure Identity Management and Governance
  • Azure Virtual Machines
  • Azure Networking (Virtual Networks, Load Balancers)
  • Monitoring and Backup

These modules are comprehensive, covering all necessary topics for the AZ-104 exam. For someone with prior experience, this should be your go-to resource, as it ensures you cover the core areas of the exam.

3. John Savill’s YouTube Channel: A Masterclass in Azure

Many people have found John Savill’s Azure Master Class series invaluable for passing the AZ-104 exam. His videos break down complex topics into digestible chunks and cover more than just what is required for the exam, offering insights that are useful for your career as well.

• John Savill's Azure Master Class: Focus on his series to understand the underlying infrastructure of Azure services. This will help you get a deeper understanding of the tools you’ll be using.
• Super Study Cram Video: This is a must-watch just before your exam as a quick refresher to consolidate your knowledge.

4. Practical Labs: Hands-on Experience is Key

While theory is important, the AZ-104 exam requires hands-on experience. After going through the Microsoft Learn modules and John Savill’s videos, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test by working on practical labs.

• Microsoft Learn Sandboxes: Utilize the free sandbox environments offered on Microsoft Learn. These allow you to practice without incurring any cost.
• GitHub Labs for AZ-104: You can find various labs related to the exam on GitHub. These labs walk you through practical scenarios like creating VMs, setting up networks, and configuring storage.
• Create Your Own Labs: Once you’re familiar with the basic labs, try creating your own scenarios. Unguided practice is essential as it helps you think critically about solutions rather than following set steps.

5. Exam Preparation: Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is a critical part of exam preparation. They allow you to gauge your readiness and get familiar with the question formats.

• Tutorials Dojo: This platform offers highly-rated practice tests for AZ-104. Their questions reflect the real exam’s difficulty, so taking these tests will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses.
• Whizlabs or Udemy: These platforms also provide high-quality practice tests. Ensure that you understand the concepts behind the answers rather than just memorizing them.

6. AZ-104 Study Cram and Review

Once you’ve completed the study materials and labs, review everything with a focus on exam readiness. John Savill’s Super Study Cram video is an excellent resource for a last-minute review. It condenses all the essential points into a single video, ensuring you're fully prepared before sitting the exam.

Additional Tips:

• Revisit any topics where you struggled during the practice tests.
• Focus on areas like networking, monitoring, and backup, which tend to be tricky for many candidates.

7. Supplementary Study Resources

If you feel the need for additional study materials, here are some other recommendations:

• Cloud Guru: Known for hands-on labs and comprehensive Azure courses, Cloud Guru can be a good option for those looking for additional guided exercises.
• Scott Duffy on Udemy: If you prefer structured video courses, Scott Duffy’s AZ-104 course on Udemy is another excellent choice. His content is concise and designed for exam preparation.
• Savill’s Longer Azure Administration Series: If you have more time and want in-depth knowledge, consider watching John Savill’s extended Azure Administrator series.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not Enough Hands-On Practice: While theory is essential, the AZ-104 exam requires hands-on experience. Make sure you’re comfortable performing tasks on the Azure portal.
• Skipping Mock Exams: Practice exams are key to success. They help you manage your time and understand the format of questions.
• Rushing Through Videos: Take your time with the study materials, especially John Savill’s videos. His explanations can clarify many complex concepts that are vital for the exam.

9. Final Steps: Booking and Taking the Exam

After completing the preparation, schedule your exam at a time when you feel confident in your knowledge. On exam day, stay calm, read all questions carefully, and use your practical knowledge to navigate through tricky questions.

Pro Tip: Microsoft exams sometimes have multiple correct answers, so make sure to read each question carefully before selecting your answer.

Conclusion

Preparing for the AZ-104 exam requires a combination of structured study, hands-on labs, and consistent practice. By leveraging Microsoft Learn, John Savill’s videos, practical labs, and practice tests, you can confidently prepare for the exam. Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be well on your way to earning your AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification. Good luck!