Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) Practice Tests

AZ-104 measures five skill areas: managing Azure identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing compute resources, implementing and managing virtual networking, and monitoring and maintaining Azure resources. Microsoft last updated the skills-measured outline on April 17, 2026, so the 757 questions in this bank are checked against the current version rather than an older revision that might test retired features.

You get 100 minutes on exam day, with a mix of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based questions, sometimes including interactive tasks where you complete an action directly in a simulated Azure portal rather than picking from a list. You need 700 out of a scaled 1,000 to pass. Because several questions involve hands-on portal or CLI tasks rather than pure recall, practicing the underlying commands matters as much as recognizing the right answer choice.

There is no formal prerequisite, but Microsoft expects familiarity with operating systems, networking, and virtualization, plus hands-on experience with PowerShell, the Azure CLI, the Azure portal, and Resource Manager templates or Bicep. The certification renews every 12 months through a free assessment on Microsoft Learn, so there is no need to retake the full exam. Start with the free preview, then work through the full 757-question bank until your accuracy holds steady across all five skill areas.

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) validates subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Microsoft Azure environment. The certification covers a broad range of Azure services and capabilities, including virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance. Exam content was last updated on April 18, 2025, reflecting the current skills required for the Azure administrator role.

Certified administrators are expected to work proficiently across the Azure portal, Azure CLI, PowerShell, Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and Bicep files, and Microsoft Entra ID. The role requires a solid understanding of foundational IT concepts — operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization — applied to cloud-based infrastructure management. Azure administrators often collaborate with teams responsible for database, application development, DevOps, and security, making this a highly cross-functional credential.

This certification is designed for IT professionals who actively administer Azure cloud environments, typically with a minimum of six months of hands-on Azure experience. Target job roles include Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Azure Systems Administrator, Cloud Support Engineer, and Cloud Operations Analyst. It is particularly suited to professionals transitioning from on-premises infrastructure roles (sysadmins, network admins) into cloud-focused positions, as well as those already working in Azure who want to formalize and validate their skills.

Candidates pursuing advancement into cloud security (AZ-500), DevOps (AZ-400), or Solutions Architect (AZ-305) roles will also find AZ-104 a required or strongly recommended stepping stone, as it establishes the administrative foundation those advanced certifications build upon.

There are no mandatory prerequisite certifications for AZ-104 — it does not require passing AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) first, though completing that exam is helpful for those new to Azure concepts. Microsoft recommends at least six months of practical experience administering Azure resources before attempting the exam.

Candidates should have hands-on familiarity with the Azure portal, Azure CLI, and PowerShell for managing resources, as well as working knowledge of Azure Resource Manager templates and Bicep files. A background in traditional IT infrastructure — including networking concepts (DNS, routing, NSGs, load balancing), server administration, operating systems, and virtualization — is strongly recommended, as many exam scenarios assume this foundational knowledge. Experience with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) for identity and access management is also expected.

The AZ-104 exam is proctored and delivered through Pearson VUE, either at a testing center or via online proctoring. Candidates are given 100 minutes to complete the assessment. The exam may include interactive lab-based components (e.g., tasks performed in a live or simulated Azure environment) in addition to standard multiple-choice, case study, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based questions; the exact number of questions varies per administration and is not published by Microsoft.

A score of 700 out of 1000 is required to pass. Scoring is scaled, meaning it does not correspond directly to a raw percentage of correct answers. If a candidate fails on the first attempt, a retake is permitted after 24 hours; subsequent retake waiting periods vary per Microsoft's retake policy. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed at no cost by passing an online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.

Earning the AZ-104 certification opens access to a strong and growing job market, with Azure administrator roles reporting U.S. salaries generally in the range of $88,000–$161,000 annually depending on experience, location, and employer. Certified professionals typically see a 15–20% salary premium over non-certified peers in equivalent roles. Common job titles held by AZ-104 holders include Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Azure Systems Administrator, and Cloud Operations Analyst, with experienced professionals moving into hybrid roles such as Cloud Security Analyst or progressing toward Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer tracks.

Microsoft Azure holds approximately 20% of the global cloud market and is the dominant platform in enterprise, government, healthcare, and financial services sectors, creating consistent demand for certified administrators. The AZ-104 also serves as a direct prerequisite or recommended foundation for higher-level Microsoft certifications including AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer Associate), AZ-400 (DevOps Engineer Expert), and AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert). Compared to AWS Certified SysOps Administrator and Google Associate Cloud Engineer, AZ-104 is particularly competitive in enterprise-heavy industries where Microsoft's ecosystem — including Microsoft 365, Active Directory, and hybrid cloud via Azure Arc — is deeply embedded.