Blog Post
How Hard Is AZ-104? Why Most People Underestimate It?
The AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator exam is often underestimated. This guide covers its difficulty, structure, common mistakes, and preparation strategies based on practical experience.
Is AZ-104 Hard?
Yes, AZ-104 is considered one of Microsoft’s more challenging associate-level exams because it tests real Azure administration skills across identity, networking, storage, governance, and troubleshooting. This guide explains what the exam covers, why candidates struggle, and how to prepare effectively.
Quick Facts
- Passing score: 700 out of 1000
- Number of questions: Approximately 40 to 60
- Time allowed: 120 minutes
- Exam fee: Around $165 USD (varies by region)
- Certification validity: 1 year with free online renewal
What Is AZ-104?
The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) exam is designed for professionals who manage Azure cloud environments. It covers identity, governance, storage, networking, virtual machines, and monitoring.
It is the successor to the older AZ-103 exam and sits one level above the AZ-900 Fundamentals certification. The gap between AZ-900 and AZ-104 is larger than many assume. AZ-900 tests conceptual awareness, while AZ-104 tests operational knowledge and expects hands-on familiarity with the Azure portal, CLI, and PowerShell.
Why Most People Underestimate It
The word "Associate" on the certificate leads candidates to believe the content is straightforward. However, Microsoft's Associate level exams test practical, scenario based knowledge, not just definitions or memorization.
Myth 1: "I passed AZ-900, so AZ-104 should be manageable with a few weeks of study."
Passing AZ-900 indicates familiarity with cloud concepts. AZ-104 requires the ability to perform administrative tasks in a live environment. These are different skill sets.
Myth 2: "Practice tests alone are enough to pass."
Memorizing question dumps is not reliable because Microsoft regularly updates the exam. Without understanding the underlying concepts, even slightly reworded questions can lead to incorrect answers.
Myth 3: "It is mainly about knowing Azure services."
The exam goes further. It asks test takers to select the right service for a given scenario, configure it correctly, and understand the consequences of their choices. This requires practical experience, not just recognition.
Most candidates who fail report that networking and identity management were the most underestimated topics. These areas are nuanced and require more than surface reading.
How Much Time Does Preparation Realistically Take?
Preparation time varies by background. The estimates below assume consistent study and hands on practice.
- 3 to 4 weeks if you use Azure daily in your current role
- 6 to 8 weeks if you have some Azure exposure but limited admin experience
- 10 to 12 weeks if you are coming from an on premises or non cloud background
These timelines assume hands on practice in a real or free tier Azure environment, structured study materials, and regular practice tests used for learning rather than memorization.
Preparation Strategies That Actually Work
1. Use the Official Study Guide as a Checklist
Microsoft publishes the measured skills document for AZ-104. Each line item can be used as a checkpoint. Build a lab task around each topic instead of just reading about it.
👉 Official Microsoft Learn Website -->
2. Build Labs, Not Just Notes
Create virtual networks. Set up role based access control. Configure backup policies. Repeat these tasks until configuration becomes familiar. The Microsoft Learn sandbox environment is free and sufficient for most topics.
3. Understand Why, Not Just What
For every service or concept, ask why someone would use this over an alternative. Understanding trade offs helps answer scenario questions accurately.
4. Practice With Timed Mock Exams
Time management matters. Use realistic timed mock exams to build pace. If a question takes more than two minutes, flag it and move on. Return at the end if time remains.
A tool like ExamOS provides a daily 30 minute practice quiz structured around three difficulty modes:
- Rookie mode confirms whether foundational knowledge is solid or whether gaps exist that would otherwise surface later.
- Challenger mode is useful after starting hands on labs. It surfaces weak spots and shows which networking rules and configurations need more work.
- Legend mode serves as a benchmark for readiness. The real AZ-104 exam presents long, layered scenarios that require sustained focus. Passing Legend mode consistently is a reliable signal of readiness.
5. Focus on Networking Early
Most candidates who pass say they wish they had spent more time on networking. Start with it rather than leaving it for the end.
Top 10 Difficult Networking Concepts for Azure
6. Read Microsoft Documentation Directly
Third party courses are useful for structure, but Microsoft's official documentation is the authoritative source. Some exam answers only make sense if the documentation has been read carefully.
Common Failure Points
Based on community feedback and exam guides, these are areas where candidates most frequently lose marks:
- Confusing Azure AD roles (now Entra ID roles) with Azure RBAC roles. They are different systems with different scopes.
- Not understanding the difference between storage account types and when to use each one.
- Misreading case study scenarios and missing a key constraint buried in the details.
- Underestimating Azure Monitor and Log Analytics. These topics appear more frequently than candidates expect.
- Relying entirely on the Azure portal without understanding equivalent CLI or PowerShell commands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AZ-104 harder than AWS Solutions Architect Associate?
Both are Associate level exams. Difficulty is subjective. AZ-104 tends to test more granular administrative tasks. AWS SAA leans more toward architecture decisions. If you are already on the Microsoft stack, AZ-104 may feel more familiar. If you are coming from AWS, expect the terminology and service naming to slow you down initially.
Do I need AZ-900 before attempting AZ-104?
No. AZ-900 is not a prerequisite. However, if you have no Azure exposure, the foundational knowledge from AZ-900 can save time during AZ-104 preparation. Many people skip AZ-900 entirely and study for AZ-104 directly.
How long is the AZ-104 certification valid?
Microsoft role based certifications are valid for one year. Renewal is free through a shorter online assessment on Microsoft Learn taken before the expiry date. Retaking the full exam is not required for renewal.
What score do you need to pass AZ-104?
The passing score is 700 out of 1000. The exam uses a scaled scoring model, so this does not directly correspond to getting 70% of questions correct. Some questions are weighted differently, and unscored questions may be included for research purposes.
Can I pass AZ-104 without hands on experience?
It is possible but significantly harder. The exam is designed for people who administer Azure environments. Without lab practice, scenario based questions become difficult to answer confidently. Free Azure accounts and the Microsoft Learn sandbox provide sufficient hands on access to prepare without paid infrastructure.
Is AZ-104 Worth It?
For IT professionals working in or moving toward cloud environments, particularly on the Microsoft stack, AZ-104 is one of the more practical certifications available. It tests real skills rather than theoretical knowledge, which makes it useful on the job.
It signals to employers that the candidate can manage Azure infrastructure at a competent, hands on level. Combined with experience, it opens doors to Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, and Systems Administrator roles.
The difficulty is real but manageable with the right preparation approach. Candidates who pass are not necessarily the most experienced. They are the ones who prepared practically rather than passively.
Start with the official Microsoft Learn path, build one lab task per topic, and use a structured practice tool to track progress. Give yourself enough time to prepare properly.
👉 Other Related exams: Azure Fundamentas :AZ-900
Security Engineer Associate : AZ-500
Network Engineer Associate : AZ-700