AZ-104 practice exam: exam format and how to practice for real
Domains, duration, cost, and common mistakes on the AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam. How to prepare with the Brains4Cloud guide, deep dive, labs, and practice exam.
The AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) certifies that you can manage identities, networking, storage, and compute in Azure day to day — it's the most in-demand associate-level certification for cloud administrator roles and is usually the natural second step after the AZ-900.
What you need to know about the exam
| Questions | ~40-60 (includes simulated hands-on labs) |
| Duration | 100 minutes |
| Reference cost | USD 165 |
| Passing score | 700 out of 1000 (scaled) |
| Validity | 1 year (requires a free annual renewal) |
| Prerequisites | None formally, but hands-on experience with Azure is recommended |
Official domains and their weight
| Domain | Approximate weight | Main content |
|---|---|---|
| Manage Azure identities and governance | 20-25% | Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), RBAC, subscriptions |
| Implement and manage storage | 15-20% | Storage accounts, blobs, Azure Files |
| Deploy and manage compute | 20-25% | VMs, containers, App Service |
| Configure and manage virtual networks | 15-20% | VNets, peering, NSGs, load balancers |
| Monitor and maintain resources | 10-15% | Azure Monitor, backups, alerts |
Weights according to Microsoft's public blueprint — always check the current version before booking. The most recent update, on April 17, 2026, didn't change the weights: it brought minor adjustments to some objectives in storage, virtual machines, containers, networking, and monitoring. The blueprint uses Microsoft Entra ID as the official name, includes Azure Container Apps alongside Container Instances, and expects you to work with both ARM templates and Bicep files.
Something that sets the AZ-104 apart from fundamentals exams: it includes real hands-on labs within the exam, where you perform tasks directly in a simulated Azure portal. Recognizing the right answer isn't enough; you have to know how to execute it.
Common mistakes that make people fail
- ▸Not practicing in the real portal. If your study was 100% theoretical, the exam labs will cost you dearly. You need hours with your hands on the keyboard.
- ▸Confusing the scope of RBAC vs Azure Policy. It's one of the most common distractors: RBAC controls "who can do what", Policy controls "which configurations are allowed".
- ▸Underestimating networking. Peering, NSGs, and effective routes generate long scenario questions that many people leave for the end without enough time.
How to prepare with Brains4Cloud
- ▸Complete AZ-104 guide — a summary of the five domains with applied examples and links to the glossary.
- ▸AZ-104 Deep Dive — each topic broken down with decision tables (when to use each VM type, when to use an NSG vs Azure Firewall, etc.).
- ▸Practice exam — original questions at the real exam pace, with detailed explanations for every option. Sign up for free and try your first practice exam.
Since the AZ-104 requires real practice, complement the simulator with time in a free Azure subscription — the guided labs in our complete guide tell you exactly what to practice first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the AZ-900 before the AZ-104? It's not mandatory, but if you've never worked with Azure, it will be much harder without that foundation — we recommend starting with the AZ-900.
How much study time do I need? With prior Azure experience, 4-6 weeks. If you're starting from zero on the platform, plan on 2-3 months including hands-on practice.
Is it worth it for getting a job? It's one of the most requested certifications in cloud administrator/DevOps job postings — together with the AZ-305, they're the two Microsoft credentials with the most job demand today.
Put what you learned to the test
Original practice exams with detailed explanations. No brain dumps.