How long should I study for AZ-104?

Studying for the AZ-104 varies greatly, but most people take 1 to 3 months, with experienced professionals potentially needing only weeks and beginners often taking 3-5 months or more, depending heavily on existing IT/Azure knowledge, dedicated hands-on practice, and study habits, with recommended focus on Microsoft Learn, labs, and practice tests. A solid approach involves ~70-100+ hours, combining guided learning paths with significant lab time for core services like networking, VMs, and storage.

How long does it take to prepare AZ-104?

Multiply the time it took you to prepare for AZ-900 by 10 for the minimum and by 20 for the maximum it should take to be ready to pass the AZ-104 exam. So, for example, if you spent 10 hours preparing for AZ-900, you can expect to take anywhere from 100 to 200 hours preparing for AZ-104.

Can I pass AZ-104 in 1 month?

Yes, passing the AZ-104 exam in one month is achievable but challenging, requiring intense focus, significant daily study (3-4+ hours), hands-on labs, and leveraging resources like Microsoft Learn, John Savill's YouTube videos, and practice exams, especially if you have some prior cloud or IT experience. It depends heavily on your dedication, background, and effective study habits, as some pass in weeks, while others with less experience take longer. 

Is the AZ-104 exam hard or easy?

The AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam is considered intermediate to challenging, requiring significant hands-on experience and broad/deep knowledge of Azure services like networking, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance. Its difficulty comes from complex, scenario-based questions that test practical judgment and how services interact, often involving lengthy text and diagrams, making it mentally fatiguing and testing troubleshooting skills. Many candidates find it harder than expected and some don't pass on the first attempt, requiring thorough preparation beyond just the AZ-900 fundamentals. 

What is the passing percentage for AZ-104?

The passing score for the AZ-104 certification exam is 700/1000.

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

What is the hardest AZ exam?

The Azure Administrator Associate certification (AZ-104) focuses on core administration tasks, while the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification (AZ-305) tests advanced design and architecture skills. The architect-level exam requires broader expertise and is more challenging.

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.

How many attempts does AZ 104 have?

You may not take a given exam more than five (5) times within a 12-month period from the first attempt. If you failed the exam 5 times, you'll be eligible to retake it again 12 months from the date of your first attempt. You cannot retake an exam you've passed unless your Certification has expired.

Is the AZ 104 exam open book?

The exam is open book.

You will have access to the Microsoft learn portal during the exam. However, since it tests your understanding of how services behave and what should be done in certain scenarios which requires knowing multiple facts, just finding a specific documentation page wouldn't help much.

What are common mistakes on the AZ-104 exam?

Top 7 Mistakes To Avoid While Preparing For AZ 104 Exam

• Ignoring the AZ-104 Exam Skills Outline.
• Skipping Hands-on Azure Practice Labs.
• Not Understanding Role-Based Certification Expectations.
• Relying Only on AZ-204 or Outdated Azure Materials.
• Cramming Instead of Following a Study Plan.

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 104 worth getting certified?

Worth it: IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE, CREDENTIALS, AND THE NEED TO USE AZURE IN REAL SITUATIONS. Likely better things to spend time on if you are trying to “break” into the field. 104 isn't beginner level, but you aren't going to get this and magically skip over people who have been grinding away at their job.

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. 

How much does AZ104 cost?

The AZ 104 exam cost varies from one country/region to another and can range from USD 165 to USD 330. If you take the exam in India, the AZ 104 exam fees will cost you ₹4800 INR. However, if you appear for the Azure certification in the United States, you must pay $165.

How quickly can you learn Azure?

Some people get their certification after less than a week of preparation, while others take up to three months to complete their review and pass the exam. Most people, however, take less than six weeks to become Azure-certified.

How accurate are AZ-104 dumps?

Their up-to-date Microsoft AZ-104 PDF dumps (2025) are not only accurate and comprehensive but also thoroughly evaluated by seasoned industry professionals. Each AZ-104 question in the dumps is matched with the official exam blueprint, ensuring you're studying the most relevant content.

Can you use Microsoft Learn during an exam?

To use this resource during your exam, you will select the Microsoft Learn button available on the exam question screen. This will open Microsoft Learn in a split screen to the right of the exam question.

Is the Microsoft Excel exam proctored?

Take the exam

This exam will be proctored. You may have interactive components to complete as part of this exam. To learn more about exam duration and experience, visit: Exam duration and exam experience. If you fail a certification exam, don't worry.

Is az104 retake free?

If you do not pass the Azure 104 certification exam on your first attempt, you will need to pay the same fee to retake the exam. This is typically $165 USD or around ₹13,600 INR.

Is Azure Administrator in demand?

High Demand: Skilled administrators are in high demand because Azure is used by around 500 enterprises. Competitive pay and many job opportunities are the results of this demand.

What is the difficulty level of AZ-104?

The AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam is considered intermediate to challenging, requiring significant hands-on experience and broad/deep knowledge of Azure services like networking, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance. Its difficulty comes from complex, scenario-based questions that test practical judgment and how services interact, often involving lengthy text and diagrams, making it mentally fatiguing and testing troubleshooting skills. Many candidates find it harder than expected and some don't pass on the first attempt, requiring thorough preparation beyond just the AZ-900 fundamentals. 

What is the highest paid Azure certification?

The Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certifications are among the highest paid, with salaries often exceeding $130,000 in the U.S.

What is the highest paid admin job?

The highest paying administrative jobs often involve executive support, specialized fields like healthcare or tech, and senior management, with roles like Executive Assistant to a CEO/VP, Healthcare Administrator/CEO, IT/Tech Administrator, Legal Administrator, and Project Manager leading to significant salaries, sometimes over $100k-$150k+ depending on industry and responsibility. Specialized areas like Finance, Law, and Healthcare offer top-tier pay, but senior roles in any sector, such as Operations Manager, also command high incomes. 

Is DBA still in demand?

Are DBAs still in demand? Yes, the demand for Database Administrators remains high and is projected to grow. As companies collect more data and migrate to cloud platforms, the need for professionals who can manage and secure this data effectively is more critical than ever.