Microsoft

AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Study Guide 2026

Your comprehensive guide to preparing for the AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification. Covers all 5 domains and 16 competencies from the official Microsoft exam blueprint.

5Domains

16Competencies

300+Practice Questions

In This Guide

Exam Overview

Everything you need to know about the AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification exam format and structure.

Exam Format

Time Limit: 120 minutes
Passing Score: 70%
Question Types: Multiple Choice
Domains Covered: 5

Certification Details

Certification: AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Vendor: Microsoft
Practice Questions: 300+ available
Guide Updated: 2026

About This Certification

Validates skills in implementing, managing, and monitoring identity, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks in a cloud environment. Demonstrates ability to provision, size, monitor, and adjust resources as appropriate.

Domain Breakdown

The AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate exam is organized into 5 domains. Understanding the weight and scope of each domain is critical for effective study planning.

Domain Weight Distribution

1. Manage Azure Identities and Governance

0.225%

2. Implement and Manage Storage

0.175%

3. Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

0.225%

4. Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

0.175%

5. Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources

0.125%

Manage Azure Identities and Governance

0.225% of exam

Focuses on managing Microsoft Entra ID users and groups, controlling access to Azure resources, and overseeing Azure subscriptions and governance.

Key Competencies (3)

1
Manage Microsoft Entra users and groups
Oversee creation and management of users and groups within Microsoft Entra ID.
2
Manage access to Azure resources
Control access and permissions across Azure resources.
3
Manage Azure subscriptions and governance
Implement governance strategies and manage Azure subscriptions effectively.

Implement and Manage Storage

0.175% of exam

Covers the configuration and management of Azure storage solutions, including storage accounts, Blob storage, and Azure Files.

Key Competencies (3)

1
Configure Azure Files and Azure File Sync
Manage and synchronize file data between on-premises servers and Azure.
2
Configure storage accounts
Select and set up storage accounts according to requirements.
3
Configure Azure Blob Storage
Manage lifecycle and replication of blob data within Azure Blob Storage.

Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources

0.225% of exam

Involves deploying and managing virtual machines, configuring VM availability, and managing Azure App Services and container instances.

Key Competencies (4)

1
Configure virtual machine availability
Ensure VM availability and set up disaster recovery solutions.
2
Configure Azure Container Instances
Deploy and manage container instances effectively.
3
Deploy and configure virtual machines
Set up and configure virtual machines according to workload requirements.
4
Configure and manage Azure App Service
Manage Azure App Services, including configuration and scaling.

Implement and Manage Virtual Networking

0.175% of exam

Focuses on configuring and managing virtual networks, securing access, and implementing name resolution and load balancing.

Key Competencies (3)

1
Configure and manage virtual networks
Design and manage virtual networks and subnets.
2
Configure name resolution and load balancing
Set up name resolution and load balancing for efficient network traffic distribution.
3
Configure secure access to virtual networks
Implement secure access solutions for virtual networks.

Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources

0.125% of exam

Covers monitoring Azure resources, implementing backup and recovery strategies, and managing updates.

Key Competencies (3)

1
Manage updates
Configure and monitor updates for virtual machines.
2
Implement backup and recovery
Set up backup and disaster recovery solutions for data protection.
3
Monitor resources using Azure Monitor
Set up and use Azure Monitor for resource monitoring and alerts.

Preparation Strategy

Follow this proven 3-step approach to prepare effectively for the AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification.

Understand the Domains

Start by reviewing each exam domain and its weight. Focus more time on heavily weighted domains. The AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate exam covers 5 domains with 16 competencies. Read through each competency to understand what knowledge is expected.

Practice with Questions

Use ProctorPulse practice exams to test your knowledge across all domains. We have 300+ AI-generated questions aligned with the official exam objectives. Review the detailed explanations for each question to deepen your understanding.

Review Weak Areas

After each practice exam, review your performance by domain. Focus additional study time on areas where you scored below the passing threshold. Retake practice exams until you consistently score above 70%.

Key Study Tips

Proven strategies to help you prepare effectively and pass on your first attempt.

Create a Study Schedule

Dedicate consistent study blocks over 4-6 weeks rather than cramming. Spread your study time proportionally across domains based on their exam weights.

Read Explanations Carefully

Do not just check if you got the answer right. Read the full explanation for every question, including ones you answered correctly. This reinforces concepts and fills knowledge gaps.

Simulate Exam Conditions

Take at least 2-3 full-length practice exams under timed conditions before your actual exam. The real exam allows 120 minutes, so practice managing your time.

Use Multiple Resources

Combine practice questions with official study materials from Microsoft. Cross-referencing multiple sources helps build a deeper understanding of the material.

Focus on Understanding, Not Memorizing

Certification exams test your ability to apply concepts, not just recall facts. Focus on understanding the reasoning behind each answer rather than memorizing specific questions.

Join Study Groups

Connect with other certification candidates. Discussing concepts with peers helps reinforce learning and exposes you to different perspectives on challenging topics.

Start Practicing Now

Put this study guide into action. Start practicing with 300+ questions for the AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification and track your progress toward exam readiness.