Microsoft Azure Certification
AZ-104 Exam Mistakes
(and How to Avoid Them)
The Microsoft AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator exam is a crucial certification for IT professionals aiming to prove their expertise in managing Azure environments. However, many candidates find the exam more challenging than expected due to common mistakes that can be easily avoided with the right preparation.
We’ve gathered insights from real exam takers and Certified Azure Trainers, to highlight the most common mistakes and how you can sidestep them to increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Set Yourself Up for Success
The AZ-104 exam is challenging but completely manageable with the right approach. The key is to go beyond just reading materials—practice hands-on, take mock tests, and ensure you understand core concepts deeply. Our comprehensive 4 day MAZ104 training course is the easy way to ensure you pass first time, but if you're learning in your own time, read on as we've collated these insights from exam takers for you:
1) Don't Underestimate the Real World Scenarios
The Mistake:
Many candidates focus heavily on theory and multiple-choice questions. However, you’ll be required to troubleshoot real-world scenarios.
How to Avoid It:
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Spend time in Azure Portal, PowerShell, and Azure CLI—not just reading but actively configuring virtual machines, storage accounts, and networking.
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Use Microsoft’s free sandbox environment or set up an Azure Free Trial to practice without incurring costs.
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Take advantage of Microsoft Learn’s interactive labs, which simulate real-world tasks.
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2) Read the Questions Carefully
The Mistake:
The AZ-104 exam is known for tricky wording. Many candidates rush through the questions and miss key details, leading to incorrect answers.
How to Avoid It:
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Slow down. Read each question carefully and look for keywords like "best solution", "most cost-effective", or "first step".
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Watch for negatives in the question, such as “which option is NOT recommended?”
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If unsure, eliminate incorrect answers first—this can help narrow down the correct option.
3) Remember Cost Management & Governance
The Mistake:
Many candidates focus on infrastructure topics like virtual machines and networking but neglect cost management and Azure policies, which are key parts of the exam.
How to Avoid It:
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Study Azure Cost Management and Azure Pricing Calculator—these frequently appear in exam scenarios.
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Learn how Azure Policy and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) help enforce governance.
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Familiarise yourself with Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and how they help standardise deployments.
4) Fully Understand Networking Concepts
The Mistake:
Networking is a significant portion of AZ-104, but many candidates memorise concepts without actually understanding how they work in real-word scenarios.
How to Avoid It:
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Focus on Azure Virtual Networks (VNets), Network Security Groups (NSGs), VPNs, and ExpressRoute.
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Learn how peering and routing work in Azure—practice setting up VNet peering.
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Use Azure Network Watcher to troubleshoot connectivity issues.
5) Know When to Use CLI, PowerShell, or the Portal
The Mistake:
The AZ-104 exam tests different ways to manage Azure resources—using the Azure Portal, Azure CLI, and PowerShell. Some questions specifically ask which tool to use for a given scenario.
How to Avoid It:
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Practice deploying resources via Azure CLI and PowerShell, not just through the portal.
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Learn when to use PowerShell vs CLI vs Portal (e.g., CLI is preferred for cross-platform scripting, while PowerShell is native to Windows environments).
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Memorise common commands for VM creation, networking, and storage.
6) Review Microsoft's Official Exam Objectives
The Mistake:
Some candidates use random study materials without aligning their preparation with Microsoft’s official exam objectives, leading to gaps in knowledge.
How to Avoid It:
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Download Microsoft’s official AZ-104 exam guide and use it as a checklist.
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Prioritise high-weighted topics like identity management, security, and networking.
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Follow Microsoft Learn’s AZ-104 learning path, which is structured around the exam objectives.
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Learn from the experts with a Microsoft Certified AZ104 Course
Final Thoughts:
The AZ-104 exam is challenging but completely manageable with the right approach. The key is to go beyond just reading materials—practice hands-on, consider expert training, take mock tests, and ensure you understand core concepts deeply.
✅ Get hands-on with Azure Portal, CLI, and PowerShell
✅ Read every question carefully to avoid misinterpretation
✅ Learn cost management, policies, and governance topics
✅ Take full-length, timed practice tests
✅ Deep-dive into networking concepts
✅ Know when to use CLI, PowerShell, or the Portal
✅ Stick to the official Microsoft exam objectives
