What this exam actually tests
The AZ-104 is Microsoft's Azure Administrator certification. It covers deploying resources, managing identities, administering storage, configuring virtual networks, and monitoring cost. The practice test version lets you get familiar with the format before the real thing. Many people use it to find gaps in their knowledge rather than to memorize questions. I took my AZ-104 prep this year and used a practice test to discover I was weak on network security groups and DNS resolution across VNet peering. That one gap alone cost me three questions on the real exam. Writing down the wrong behavior for UDR propagation is something I still joke about, but it fixed my score after I went back to the documentation.
Azure 104 Practice Test
Here is how I set up my study routine using a practice test and then reviewed it effectively. Pick a resource you know well, like a storage account. Look up how to set up replication, pricing tiers, firewall rules, and diagnostics logging. Do the same for a virtual network and subnet. Then repeat for managed identities, role-based access control, and network interfaces. These are the main topics that show up repeatedly on the actual exam. When I built my mock exam session, I timed myself at about one hour for forty-five questions. That felt right because the real exam gives you two hours for sixty to seventy questions. I found myself running into issues with question wording. Some answers sound wrong at first glance but turn out to be correct after reading all four options carefully. I learned to skip the ones that looked ambiguous and come back later instead of spending ten minutes on a single question.
I had a problem where I kept confusing the difference between a private endpoint and a service endpoint. I chose the wrong answer three times in a row on my first practice test. I solved it by drawing a diagram of each one and writing down which resources they expose to. The private endpoint gives the resource an IP inside your VNet, and the service endpoint keeps traffic on the Microsoft backbone without exposing an IP. Once I wrote that down, I stopped mixing them up.
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Topics that show up most often
The main areas that appear on the exam include identity and access management, governance, and compliance. This means understanding role-based access control, policies, and tags. You also need to know how to configure Azure AD groups and conditional access policies. A lot of practice questions test whether you can assign the right permission to the right user or group. Networking is another big section. You will see questions about virtual networks, subnets, network security groups, and application gateways. I spent most of my time studying how NSGs work with priority rules and default rules. Understanding that lower numbers mean higher priority helped me answer questions about inbound and outbound traffic rules much faster. Storage accounts are tested heavily. Know the difference between Blob storage, File shares, and queues. Understand how to configure replication options like LRS, ZRS, and GRS. When I worked through my practice test, I kept missing questions about lifecycle management policies. These let you move blobs between access tiers automatically based on age. I learned this the hard way after seeing a question that described moving old data from hot to cool tier.
Common pitfalls I ran into
One issue I hit was confusing RBAC roles with Azure AD roles. The practice test asked about assigning owner versus contributor roles, and I initially thought they were the same thing. Owner can manage access, while contributor can manage resources but not assign roles. I made a note of this difference and reviewed it again before retaking the practice test. My score improved noticeably after that. Another problem was related to VNet peering. The practice test included questions about global VNet peering and local VNet peering. I struggled to remember when to use each one. Global peering is for regions outside of Azure, while local peering connects VNets within the same region. This seemed like a small detail, but it showed up multiple times on the exam. I also had trouble with backup and recovery options. The practice test asked about Azure Backup, Site Recovery, and Restore Services. I initially mixed these up, thinking they were interchangeable. Each one has a different purpose. Backup is for virtual machines and files. Site Recovery is for disaster recovery. Restore Services is for recovering deleted resources. Understanding these distinctions helped me answer questions correctly.
How to make the most of a practice test
Use the practice test to identify weak areas rather than just checking your score. If you miss a question, look up the correct answer and understand why it is right. This will help you remember the concept better than simply memorizing the answer. Keep track of your scores over time. I noticed that my score improved by about ten percent after reviewing the questions I got wrong. This trend continued as I studied more. If your score stays flat, you might be missing a fundamental concept that needs more attention. Some people use a practice test to simulate the exam environment. Set a timer, close unnecessary tabs, and avoid looking up answers. This helps build stamina and focus for the real exam. I found that taking a practice test under timed conditions improved my confidence and reduced anxiety on exam day.
What the real exam feels like
The actual AZ-104 exam is about two hours long and contains around sixty questions. Questions range from multiple choice to drag-and-drop and case studies. Some questions present a scenario and ask you to select the best solution from several options. I remember feeling unsure about a question regarding Azure Automation Runbooks. The scenario involved scheduling a task to restart a virtual machine. I initially thought the answer was to use a schedule, but the correct option involved setting up a webhook. This was a reminder to read all options carefully before selecting an answer. Another question tested knowledge of Azure Monitor and Log Analytics. I had to determine which tool to use for analyzing performance data from multiple virtual machines. The correct answer was Log Analytics, which provides a unified view of metrics and logs across resources. This reinforced the importance of understanding the differences between monitoring tools.
Final thoughts on preparing for AZ-104
Studying for the AZ-104 requires a mix of hands-on practice and theoretical knowledge. Using a practice test is an effective way to gauge your readiness and identify areas that need improvement. It also helps you become familiar with the exam format and question types. One tip that worked for me was to create a study plan with specific goals for each topic. For example, I dedicated one week to networking and another to storage. This structured approach helped me cover all necessary material without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, I joined online forums and study groups to discuss challenging questions and share insights with other candidates. Finally, remember that the AZ-104 is just the beginning of your Azure journey. The skills you develop while preparing for this exam will serve you well in managing cloud infrastructure and pursuing more advanced certifications. Good luck with your studies and the exam.
