Tackling the Microsoft AZ 104 Exam: Tips for Success

  • AZ 104 exam
  • Published by: André Hammer on May 17, 2024

Are you ready to take the Microsoft AZ-104 Exam and become a certified Azure Administrator? The exam can be tough, but it is worth it if you are looking to improve your cloud computing skills. Here are some useful tips and strategies to help you succeed. 

Whether you're new to Azure or have some experience, these tips will help you confidently handle the exam.

Understanding the Microsoft AZ 104 Exam

Overview of the AZ 104 exam objectives

If you're preparing for the AZ-104 exam to become an Azure Administrator, you should get to know specific technical training areas. These include:

  • Azure Virtual Network
  • Azure Firewall

  • Azure Policy

  • RBAC

  • Peering

  • Azure DNS

  • Azure Private DNS

You should also understand concepts related to:

  • S2S VPN

  • ExpressRoute

  • Azure Virtual WAN

  • User Defined Routes

  • Service Endpoints

  • Private Endpoints

  • Azure Bastion

  • Load Balancing

Also, study these areas:

  • Azure Load Balancer

  • Azure App Gateway

  • Azure Traffic Manager

  • Azure Front Door

  • Storage accounts

  • Blob tiering

  • Lifecycle management

  • Object replication

And familiarise with:

  • Azure Files

  • Managed Disks

  • Provisioning resources

  • Virtual Machines

  • Availability Set

  • VMSS

  • Containers

  • AKS

  • App Service Plan

  • Monitoring

  • Alerting

  • Log Analytics Workspace

  • Network Watcher

  • AZ-104 Administrator

Key skills and knowledge required for the exam

To excel in the Microsoft AZ-104 exam, you should have a strong grasp of various Azure services and features, including:

  • Azure Firewall
  • Azure Policy
  • RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
  • Peering
  • Azure Virtual Network
  • Network Security Group
  • Azure DNS
  • Azure Private DNS
  • S2S VPN (Site-to-Site Virtual Private Network)
  • ExpressRoute
  • Azure Virtual WAN
  • User-defined routes
  • Service endpoints
  • Private endpoints
  • Azure Bastion
  • Load balancing (Azure Load Balancer, Azure App Gateway, Azure Traffic Manager, Azure Front Door)
  • Storage Accounts
  • Blob Tiering
  • Lifecycle management
  • Object replication
  • Azure Files
  • Managed Disks
  • Provisioning resources
  • Virtual Machines (Availability Set, VMSS)
  • Containers (AKS - Azure Kubernetes Service)
  • App Service Plan
  • Monitoring (Alerting, Log Analytics Workspace)
  • Network Watcher

Preparing for Success

Creating a study plan for the AZ 104 exam

When you're getting ready for the AZ-104 exam, make sure your study plan covers these topics:

  • Azure administrator responsibilities
  • Virtual network configurations, including peering and Azure Firewall setup

  • RBAC implementation

  • Azure DNS and private DNS management

  • S2S VPN and ExpressRoute connectivity

  • Azure Virtual WAN deployment

  • User-defined routes, service endpoints, and private endpoints

You should also concentrate on mastering the following:

  • Azure Bastion

  • Load balancing tools like Azure Load Balancer and Azure App Gateway

  • Understanding Azure Traffic Manager and Azure Front Door

It's important to be skilled in managing:

  • Storage accounts, including blob tiering, lifecycle management, and object replication

  • Azure Files and Managed Disks provisioning

You should also be well-versed in:

  • Provisioning virtual machines

  • Configuring availability sets and VMSS

  • Deploying containers and AKS

  • Managing App Service plans

Lastly, develop familiarity with monitoring tools such as:

  • Alerting

  • Log Analytics Workspace

  • Network Watcher

Using online resources and practice exams

Using online resources is helpful when you're preparing for the AZ-104 exam. They give you information and practice materials, like detailed study lists covering different Azure topics. Tools such as EntraSync's study cram are great for reinforcing what you know about RBAC, peering, and Azure DNS.

Practice exams are also crucial. They let you test your understanding of concepts like Azure Private DNS, S2S VPN, and ExpressRoute. When you practice with questions about Azure Virtual WAN, User-Defined Routes, and Service Endpoints, you get more comfortable with the main topics of the exam.

Join study groups or forums to discuss exam topics

Joining study groups or forums can help you understand topics for the AZ-104 exam. Talking with others about Azure Virtual Network, Network Security Group, and Azure DNS can give you new ideas and ways of looking at things.

In these groups, you can learn more about topics you might have missed and gain insights from others. Sharing experiences with Azure Firewall, Azure Policy, and RBAC can also help you better understand key Azure concepts.

Discussing things like peering, Azure Private DNS, and S2S VPN with others can deepen your knowledge of network security and how things connect in Azure.

Effective Study Techniques

Taking notes and summarizing key concepts

Taking good notes is really important for remembering key ideas for the AZ-104 exam. Make sure to write down important details from our technical training sessions, covering topics such as:

  • Entra Sync
  • Azure Administrator roles

  • Virtual Network

  • Azure Firewall

  • Azure Policy

  • RBAC

  • Peering

  • Azure Virtual Network

  • Network Security Group

  • Azure DNS

  • Azure Private DNS

  • S2S VPN

  • ExpressRoute

  • Azure Virtual WAN

  • User Defined Routes

  • Service Endpoints

  • Private Endpoints

  • Azure Bastion

  • Load Balancing

  • Azure Load Balancer

  • Azure App Gateway

  • Azure Traffic Manager

  • Azure Front Door

  • Storage Accounts

  • Blob Tiering

  • Lifecycle Management

  • Object Replication

  • Azure Files

  • Managed Disks

  • Provisioning Resources

  • Virtual Machines

  • Availability Set

  • VMSS

  • Containers

  • AKS

  • App Service Plan

  • Monitoring

  • Alerting

  • Log Analytics Workspace

  • Network Watcher

  • AZ-104 Administrator tasks

Hands-on practice with Azure services and features

Doing hands-on practice with Azure services and features is really helpful for getting ready for the AZ-104 exam. When you actually use these services, you understand things like network security, virtualization, managing resources, and monitoring better.

Working through different situations and setting things up yourself helps you remember and use what you learn for the exam. It's like a real-life experience that goes beyond just reading about it and helps you understand Azure services and features more deeply.

Using flashcards or mnemonics for memorizing information

Using flashcards can make it easier to remember things for the AZ-104 exam. Make flashcards with important words from your technical training, EntrA Sync, and Azure Administrator.

Try using tricks like acronyms or pictures to remember difficult information. This will help you improve your memory and readiness for the exam.

Mastering Exam Strategies

Understanding the exam format and question types

The Microsoft AZ-104 exam asks different kinds of questions, which include:

  • Multiple-choice
  • Scenario-based

  • Drag-and-drop

To prepare effectively:

Here's a simple way to understand what you need to study for the AZ-104 exam:

  • Learn about Azure Administrator responsibilities, virtual networks, Azure Firewall, Azure Policy, RBAC, peering, and Azure Virtual Network.
  • You should also study Network Security Groups, Azure DNS, Azure Private DNS, S2S VPN, ExpressRoute, Azure Virtual WAN, user-defined routes, and service endpoints.
  • You should know about private endpoints, Azure Bastion, Load Balancing, Azure Load Balancer, Azure App Gateway, Azure Traffic Manager, and Azure Front Door.
  • Study Storage Accounts, Blob Tiering, Lifecycle Management, Object Replication, and Azure Files.
  • Understand Managed Disks, provisioning resources, Virtual Machines, Availability Sets, VMSS, and Containers (AKS).
  • Also, study App Service Plan, Monitoring, Alerting, Log Analytics Workspace, Network Watcher, and AZ-104 Administrator functions.

Time management tips during the AZ 104 exam

To do well on the AZ-104 exam, make a list of topics to study. Focus on these topics:

  • Azure Administrator responsibilities
  • Azure Firewall
  • RBAC
  • Azure Virtual Network
  • Network Security Group

Make sure to use study sessions that cover different aspects like:

  • Azure DNS
  • Azure Private DNS

  • S2S VPN

  • ExpressRoute

  • Azure Virtual WAN

  • User Defined Routes

  • Service Endpoints

  • Private Endpoints

  • Azure Bastion

  • Load Balancing with Azure Load Balancer

  • Azure App Gateway

  • Azure Traffic Manager

  • Azure Front Door

Understand concepts like:

  • Storage Accounts

  • Blob Tiering

  • Lifecycle Management

  • Object Replication

  • Azure Files

  • Managed Disks

  • Provisioning Resources

  • Virtual Machines

  • Availability Sets

  • VMSS

  • Containers with AKS

  • App Service Plan

Learn about monitoring and alerting tools such as:

  • Log Analytics Workspace

  • Network Watcher

  • Azure Traffic Manager

Staying Calm and Focused on Exam Day

Staying calm and focused during the AZ-104 exam can make you feel more confident. It's helpful to make a study list and avoid cramming at the last minute. The exam becomes easier to handle when you pay attention to details and prepare well.

Conclusion

This article shares tips to help you pass the Microsoft AZ-104 exam. It covers study strategies, practicing with Azure services, and understanding important concepts. Following these tips can increase your chances of passing the exam successfully.

Readynez offers a 4-day AZ-104 Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Course and Certification Program, providing you with all the learning and support you need to successfully prepare for the exam and certification. The AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate course, and all our other Microsoft courses, are also included in our unique Unlimited Microsoft Training offer, where you can attend the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate and 60+ other Microsoft courses for just €199 per month, the most flexible and affordable way to get your Microsoft Certifications.

Please reach out to us with any questions or if you would like a chat about your opportunity with the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification and how you best achieve it.

FAQ

What are the key topics covered in the Microsoft AZ 104 exam?

The main topics in the Microsoft AZ-104 exam include managing Azure user accounts and rules, handling storage, setting up and managing virtual machines, setting up virtual networks, and monitoring and backing up resources.

How can I prepare effectively for the AZ 104 exam?

To prepare for the AZ-104 exam, make a study plan, practice with sample questions, and use Microsoft's official training materials. Set clear study goals, use online resources, and join study groups for extra help. These steps will prepare you well for the exam.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid when studying for the AZ 104 exam?

Don't forget to try out Azure services yourself. It's not enough to practice questions - ensure you understand everything. And manage your time well to learn about all the exam topics properly.

Are there any recommended study resources for the AZ 104 exam?

Good study resources for the AZ-104 exam are Microsoft Learn modules, official practice tests, and exam prep guides. You can also find helpful Azure training in online courses on sites like Udemy and Coursera.

Do you have any tips for managing time during the AZ 104 exam?

Focus more on the parts of the exam you're good at. Spend extra time on the harder sections. Use the "mark for review" option for questions that are tricky and taking too much time. Practice managing your time with practice exams. 

 

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