Do I need to take AZ-900 before AZ-104?

No, you don't have to take AZ-900 before AZ-104, as there are no formal prerequisites, but it's highly recommended if you're new to Azure; AZ-900 provides foundational cloud and Azure concepts that make the more technical, hands-on AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) much easier, though experienced IT pros might jump straight to AZ-104.

Is there a prerequisite for AZ-104?

There are no formal prerequisites to the AZ-104 certification. However, 6+ months of Azure administration experience is recommended.

How much harder is AZ-104 than AZ-900?

Difficulty: The AZ-104 is significantly more difficult and technical than the AZ-900, requiring in depth knowledge and, critically, practical experience to pass.

Is AZ-900 mandatory?

The Microsoft AZ-900 certification course has no mandatory prerequisites, although having prior general IT knowledge or experience can prove beneficial.

Can I skip AZ900?

AZ-900 is NOT required for AZ-104.

However, 60-70% of candidates who fail AZ-104 on their first attempt skipped AZ-900. If you're brand new to Azure, AZ-900 provides crucial foundational knowledge that makes AZ-104 significantly easier.

AZ-104 Review: What I Wish I Knew Before Taking the Exam

What is the difference between Azure AZ 900 and AZ-104?

Start with AZ-900 because it teaches the basics of cloud computing and is good for beginners. AZ-104 is more technical and practical, for people who already know how to manage cloud services. If you want to be a data analyst, machine learning engineer, data scientist, or Azure administrator, start with AZ-900.

What is the salary of AZ 900?

Employees who know Az 900 earn an average of ₹26.2lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹26.1lakhs per year to ₹26.4lakhs per year based on 2 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹26.4lakhs per year.

Is AZ-900 difficult to pass?

The AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) exam is considered easy to moderate, an approachable entry-level test focusing on broad cloud concepts and Azure services rather than deep technical skills, making it suitable for non-technical roles, though surprisingly tricky scenario questions exist, so dedicated study of Microsoft Learn and practice exams is key, often requiring just a week or two of part-time effort.
 

How long does AZ-900 expire?

In contrast, Fundamentals certifications, such as the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), do not expire. Once you earn a Fundamentals certification, it remains valid indefinitely, allowing you to demonstrate your foundational knowledge without concern for renewal.

In what order should I do Azure certifications?

Security professionals can pursue the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) as a starting point, followed by advanced certifications such as Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500).

Can I pass AZ-104 in 1 month?

Yes, passing the AZ-104 exam in one month is achievable, especially with focused study, hands-on labs (100-150+ hours total), and leveraging resources like John Savill's masterclass, TutorialDojo practice tests & Microsoft Learn, but it requires intense dedication (several hours daily) and existing IT/cloud familiarity; otherwise, it's very challenging. Key strategies include creating an Azure free account, building projects, understanding core concepts rather than memorizing, and focusing heavily on practice questions and labs. 

Is AZ-900 enough to get a job?

Individuals with AZ-900 certification have great job opportunities in different industries. The certification shows a basic understanding of cloud services and Microsoft Azure. This makes candidates suitable for entry-level roles like cloud support, sales, network analyst, or Azure administrator.

How much does Azure 104 pay?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $166,000 and as low as $23,000, the majority of Azure 104 salaries currently range between $110,000 (25th percentile) to $136,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $153,500 annually across the United States.

What's the salary for an Azure admin?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $137,000 and as low as $41,000, the majority of Microsoft Azure Administrator salaries currently range between $70,000 (25th percentile) to $104,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $123,500 annually across the United States.

Is Azure free for 12 months?

Bring your vision to life with free services. These services are free up to the specified monthly amounts. Some are always free to all Azure customers, and some are free for 12 months to new customers only.

How long is AZ 104 valid for?

today I wrote the AZ-104( Azure Administrator) certification, and it has a validity period of 1 year, but usually azure will give 2 years of validity.

Is az 900 retake free?

Is retaking the Microsoft exam free? No, you have to pay the additional cost. The cost of reattempts is the same as that of the first attempt. In case you want to retake the AZ-900 exam, you have to pay $99 just like you pay for scheduling the exam for the first time.

What is AZ 900 passing score?

A score of 700 or greater is required to pass. You can explore the exam environment by visiting our exam sandbox. If you use assistive devices, require extra time, or need modification to any part of the exam experience, you can request an accommodation.

What is the next certification after AZ-900?

Microsoft also has three fundamental level certifications, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Exam [AI-900], Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), and Azure Data Fundamentals Exam [DP-900].

Will AI replace Azure?

Answer: No, AI will not replace Microsoft Azure developers. AI can automate different tasks: infrastructure provisioning, code suggestions, and performance optimization. AI doesn't fully replace the strategic thinking and problem-solving that a developer brings.

How many attempts for AZ 104?

You must wait for 24 hours before retaking the exam in case you fail on the first attempt. The certification allows five attempts, but a 14-day waiting period is imposed between subsequent attempts.

Is Azure harder to learn than AWS?

Therefore, the difficulty of either certification depends on your learning style and familiarity with each platform's tools and services. Ultimately, both AWS and Azure certifications demand rigorous preparation and a solid understanding of cloud technologies.

Which certification pays the highest salary?

The highest paying certifications are often in tech (cloud, cybersecurity) like AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, CISM, CISSP, and PMP for project management, alongside specialized healthcare roles such as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Certified Physician Assistant (PA-C), with options like Six Sigma Black Belt also offering significant earning potential.
 

Is Azure 900 enough to get a job?

The Azure AZ-900 certification is a great starting point for cloud careers, proving foundational knowledge, but it's generally not enough on its own to land a job; it gets your resume noticed and opens doors to entry-level roles, but needs to be supplemented with practical experience and more advanced certs like AZ-104 (Admin) to truly stand out in a competitive market. It's valuable for beginners and career changers to show basic understanding, but employers often look for hands-on skills for roles beyond basic support.