The AZ-104 Guide
Everything you need to know before sitting for Microsoft Azure Administrator
Why AZ-104 matters in 2026
Microsoft Azure Administrator is one of the most recognized credentials issued by Microsoft, and 2026 hiring data continues to show AZ-104 on job postings as either required or strongly preferred for the roles it targets. The certification validates that you can apply real working knowledge, not just recall facts, across 5 distinct exam domains, with the largest weight on Manage Azure identities and governance. For candidates competing in the Microsoft ecosystem, AZ-104 is a clear signal to a hiring manager that you have invested in measurable, third-party-verified competence.
Who should take AZ-104
AZ-104 is most useful for professionals working in or moving toward the Microsoft ecosystem. In short: Day-to-day administration of Azure infrastructure at the associate level. If you are early in your career, AZ-104 is one of the fastest credentials to add to a résumé that recruiters actively screen for. If you are mid-career, it formalizes the skills you already use day-to-day and unlocks roles that gate on it. If you are switching tracks, it gives you a structured curriculum that tells you exactly what to study, in what order, weighted by what the real exam tests.
Exam structure and difficulty
The Microsoft Azure Administrator exam is organized into 5 domains, each weighted by the official Microsoft exam guide. The heaviest weighting is Manage Azure identities and governance at 23% of the exam, so that is where you should spend the most preparation time. The lightest is Implement and manage virtual networking at 18%, meaning you can dedicate roughly proportional review time without over-investing.
Format details: 40-60 questions · 120 minutes · Multiple-choice and case-study formats · Pass score 700/1000. Following the domain weights is the single biggest leverage point candidates miss, because many over-study lower-weighted material that feels comfortable.
How to prepare
A practical four-step plan for AZ-104:
- Read the official Microsoft exam guide for AZ-104 and write down every sub-objective. This becomes your study checklist.
- Use the domain practice quizzes on this page in weight order (heaviest first). Aim for 80% on each domain before moving on.
- When you miss a question, read the explanation for every wrong answer, because that contrastive learning is where understanding compounds.
- Once every domain is at 80%+, take the Mix Quiz repeatedly to simulate real exam conditions across all topics.
Career outcomes and salary
Holders of AZ-104 in the US currently see compensation in the range of $85k to $155k per year, with median around $115k. Azure administrator Salary varies by region, employer size, and complementary skills, but the AZ-104 credential consistently lifts the floor of what you can negotiate against. Source: ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, 2026.
Common pitfalls
The three traps that kill AZ-104 candidates: (1) over-memorizing acronyms instead of practicing the application of concepts in scenarios, when the exam is scenario-driven, not a vocab quiz. (2) Skipping the heaviest-weighted domain because it feels less interesting, which can fail the whole exam by neglecting Manage Azure identities and governance. (3) Not timing practice sessions, when the exam has a real clock and pacing is its own skill. Build timing into your last two weeks of prep.
AZ-104 questions, answered
How much does the AZ-104 exam cost?
The AZ-104 exam costs $165 USD, though Microsoft sometimes offers discount vouchers through partner programs and events.
What is the passing score for AZ-104?
You need 700 out of 1000 on Microsoft’s scaled score.
Is there a free way to renew the Azure Administrator cert?
Yes. AZ-104 certification is valid for one year, and Microsoft lets you renew it for free with a short online assessment through Microsoft Learn before it expires, no proctored retake needed.
Is the AZ-104 exam online?
You can take it online with a remote proctor from home or at a Pearson VUE testing center. Either way it is the same 40-60 question exam with a 120-minute time limit.
How hard is the AZ-104 exam?
It is a solid step up from AZ-900: expect hands-on, scenario-based questions about identities, storage, compute, networking, and monitoring rather than definitions. Prior hands-on Azure experience makes a real difference.
Is AZ-900 required before AZ-104?
No. AZ-104 has no prerequisite exam. Microsoft recommends about six months of hands-on Azure administration, and AZ-900 is a useful but optional warm-up if you are new to cloud concepts.
How long should you study for AZ-104?
Most candidates with some Azure exposure need six to ten weeks. Pair the free Microsoft Learn path with hands-on time in a trial subscription, then drill each exam area here until your misses stop clustering in one domain.
Is this AZ-104 practice test free?
Yes. Every AZ-104 practice question on QuizBuffet is free, with instant feedback and an explanation for each answer, and there is no account or email required.