AZ-104 Exam Complete Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Pass

The Microsoft AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam is one of the most valuable certifications in cloud computing. It validates your ability to manage Azure subscriptions, implement storage, configure virtual networks, and secure identities — skills that are in high demand at virtually every enterprise using Microsoft Azure.

This guide covers everything: exam structure, all five domains with their weights, question types, scoring, and a proven study approach. Whether you're taking AZ-104 for the first time or recertifying, use this as your single reference.

What Is the AZ-104 Exam?

The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification validates associate-level skills for implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Azure environment. It's the natural next step after AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) and a prerequisite for several expert-level certifications including AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect).

Microsoft designed AZ-104 for IT professionals who handle day-to-day Azure operations — people managing virtual machines, configuring virtual networks, administering storage accounts, and handling Azure Active Directory identities. If that's your job (or the job you're targeting), this certification directly validates what you do.

AZ-104 Exam Domains and Weights (2026)

Microsoft organizes the AZ-104 exam into five functional domains. The percentage next to each domain indicates roughly how many exam questions come from that area.

AZ-104 Question Types

Understanding question formats before exam day prevents surprises:

• Multiple choice (single answer) — Most common. Select the single best answer from four options.
• Multiple select — "Select all that apply" or "select two." Read the exact count carefully.
• Drag-and-drop / ordering — Arrange steps in the correct sequence, or match concepts to categories.
• Hot area — Click the correct region of a diagram or table. Common for networking topology questions.
• Case studies — A multi-page scenario followed by 4–8 questions. You can reference the scenario, but you cannot go back once you leave the case study section.
• Yes/No (repeated scenario) — A scenario is shown with slightly different proposed solutions. You evaluate each independently.

AZ-104 Scoring: How It Works

Microsoft uses a scaled scoring model from 100 to 1000. The passing score is 700. Scaled scoring means not all questions carry the same weight — harder questions worth more when you get them right. You will not receive partial credit on individual questions.

Case study questions are often scored as a group, meaning a question within the case may depend on understanding the full scenario. Read every case study tab before answering anything.

You receive your score immediately after completing the exam. If you fail, Microsoft's feedback report shows which domains need improvement, which helps you focus your retake study.

AZ-104 Exam Cost and Scheduling

Detail	Information
Exam cost (US)	$165 USD
Exam cost (India)	~₹4,800
Delivery options	Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored
Retake policy	Wait 24 hours after first fail; 14 days after each subsequent fail
Maximum attempts per year	5 within 12 months
Exam language	English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and others
Certification validity	1 year, renewable via free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn

How to Study for AZ-104: A Realistic Plan

Phase 1: Foundations (Week 1–2)

If you haven't used Azure before, spend the first two weeks with Microsoft Learn's free AZ-104 learning path. Create a free Azure account ($200 credit) and use it hands-on — reading alone will not get you to 700. Focus on identity, storage, and the portal UI.

Phase 2: Compute and Networking Deep Dive (Week 3–5)

These two domains are where most candidates lose points. Build at least five VMs from scratch. Create a VNet with multiple subnets, add NSG rules, and test traffic flow. Deploy an App Service and connect it to a database. Do it, don't just watch it.

Phase 3: Practice Exams (Week 6–8)

Switch your focus to practice questions. Aim for 150+ questions per day. When you get a question wrong, look up the topic in the Azure docs — not just the answer, but the underlying concept. Passing candidates typically score 80%+ on practice tests before sitting the real exam.

"The AZ-104 isn't a memorization test — it tests whether you understand how Azure services interact. If you know the 'why' behind RBAC scope hierarchy, you can answer questions you've never seen before."

Top AZ-104 Exam Tips

1. Know your RBAC scope hierarchy. Management Group → Subscription → Resource Group → Resource. Permissions inherited downward, but deny assignments block inheritance.
2. Memorize NSG rule evaluation order. Lower priority numbers evaluated first. Deny rules stop processing. Default rules exist and can't be deleted, only overridden.
3. Understand storage redundancy options — LRS, ZRS, GRS, GZRS — and when each is appropriate. Exam scenarios often give cost vs. redundancy trade-offs.
4. Know the difference between Azure Backup and Site Recovery. Backup is for data protection (restore files, VMs). Site Recovery is for disaster recovery (replicate to secondary region, failover).
5. Read case study tabs fully before answering. The exhibit, requirements, and constraints tabs all matter. Missing a constraint will cost you multiple questions.
6. Practice with the Azure portal, CLI, and PowerShell. Some questions show CLI or PowerShell commands and ask what they do.
7. Don't change answers without reason. Studies consistently show first instincts outperform second-guessed answers on certification exams.

AZ-104 vs. AZ-900: What's the Difference?

Aspect	AZ-900 (Fundamentals)	AZ-104 (Administrator)
Level	Beginner	Associate
Target audience	Non-technical, sales, management	IT admins, cloud engineers
Hands-on required	No	Yes — strongly recommended
Study time	2–4 weeks	6–10 weeks
Salary impact	Minimal	Significant (+$15K–$30K median)
Prerequisite for	AZ-104	AZ-305, AZ-500

After AZ-104: What's Next?

Once you're certified as an Azure Administrator, you have several strong paths:

• AZ-305 — Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Design large-scale Azure solutions. Requires AZ-104 as a co-requisite.
• AZ-500 — Azure Security Engineer: Specialize in securing Azure workloads, identities, and data.
• AZ-400 — Azure DevOps Engineer Expert: Combine development and operations with Azure DevOps, pipelines, and monitoring.
• SC-300 — Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator: Deep dive into Entra ID, Conditional Access, and identity governance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AZ-104 exam?

The AZ-104 exam typically contains 40–60 questions, including multiple choice, drag-and-drop, case studies, and hot-area formats. You have 130 minutes to complete the exam.

What is a passing score for AZ-104?

Microsoft requires a minimum score of 700 out of 1000 to pass the AZ-104 exam. Scores are scaled, so 700 doesn't literally mean 70% of questions correct.

How long should I study for AZ-104?

Most candidates study 6–10 weeks, dedicating 1–2 hours per day. With active Azure experience in a work environment, 4–6 weeks is often sufficient. Complete beginners may need 10–12 weeks.

Do I need to renew AZ-104?

Yes. Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is valid for one year. You can renew for free through a Microsoft Learn renewal assessment — no exam fee required.

Is AZ-104 worth it in 2026?

Absolutely. Azure is the second-largest cloud platform globally, and demand for Azure administrators continues to grow. Certified Azure Administrators earn median salaries of $95,000–$130,000 in the US depending on experience and location.