Am i ready for the AZ-104?
Before diving into the challenges, take a few minutes to assess your readiness. The AZ-104 assumes you already have foundational knowledge of IT concepts and some Azure experience.
Self-Assessment checklist
Click each row to cycle through: ✅ Comfortable | ⚠️ Need Review | ❌ New to Me
General IT knowledge
| Skill | Your Level (click to rate) |
|---|---|
| I understand basic networking (IP addresses, subnets, DNS, DHCP) | ⬜ |
| I can navigate a command-line interface (Bash, PowerShell, or CMD) | ⬜ |
| I understand user authentication and authorization concepts | ⬜ |
| I know the difference between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS | ⬜ |
| I understand virtualization concepts (VMs, hypervisors) | ⬜ |
| I can read and write basic JSON | ⬜ |
Azure-Specific knowledge
| Skill | Your Level (click to rate) |
|---|---|
| I have logged into the Azure Portal and navigated it | ⬜ |
| I understand Azure subscriptions, resource groups, and resources | ⬜ |
| I have created at least one Azure resource (VM, Storage, etc.) | ⬜ |
| I have used Azure CLI or Azure PowerShell at least once | ⬜ |
| I know what ARM (Azure Resource Manager) is | ⬜ |
| I understand Azure regions and availability zones | ⬜ |
How to interpret your results
Mostly ✅: you're ready!
Jump straight to Lab Setup and start Challenge 01.
Mix of ✅ and ⚠️: you're almost ready
Start the challenges but give yourself extra time on unfamiliar topics. Use the Learning Resources section in each challenge to fill gaps.
Several ❌: start with fundamentals first
Consider these resources before starting:
- AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals | Free learning path covering all the basics
- Azure Portal Tour | Get comfortable navigating the Portal
- Azure CLI Getting Started | Command-line basics
That's okay! The AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) certification is an excellent starting point. It's a lighter exam that builds the foundation you need for AZ-104. Many people take AZ-900 first, then AZ-104.
Experience expectations
According to Microsoft, AZ-104 candidates should have:
- 6+ months of hands-on Azure administration experience
- Experience with PowerShell and/or Azure CLI
- Familiarity with the Azure Portal
- Understanding of ARM templates or Bicep files
- Knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
These challenges are designed to accelerate your learning. If you're motivated and dedicate focused time, you can build equivalent hands-on experience by completing all 28 challenges. Many successful candidates have passed with less than 6 months of experience by studying intensively.
Ready to go? Head to the Lab Setup to configure your environment.