By Quick answer: How do I pass Azure Administrator (AZ-104)?
- Plan — 10 weeks.
- Exam — 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months.
- Fee — Exam priced by country.
- Practise — free timed tests until you pass comfortably.
Key takeaways
- Study from the official exam objectives, not just videos.
- Hands-on practice beats rereading.
- Book the exam when practice scores are consistently strong.
Azure Administrator (AZ-104) rewards a structured plan. This 10-week plan covers the exam format and cost, what to study when, and how to use practice tests so you walk in ready.
The exam and the resources that help
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country3 | 45 minutes | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
The exam, then the resources to prepare with
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)The examExam priced by country
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingFree Microsoft Learn trainingFree
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Easier startExam priced by country
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Exam priced by country. Format: 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months. Check the official page for prerequisites. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forthe exam
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free2
Free learning paths and sandboxes. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forfree Microsoft Learn training
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country3
- Format
- 45 minutes
AZ-900. Microsoft's Azure fundamentals exam covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing and governance in 45 minutes. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and it doesn't expire.
Best foreasier start
A 10-week study plan
- Week 1 — Read the official exam guide and take a free baseline practice test.
- Weeks 2–8 — Work through the official free training with hands-on labs every week.
- Week 9 — Timed practice tests; review every wrong answer against the docs.
- Week 10 — Book the exam once you pass practice tests comfortably.
Tips that make the difference
- Labs over videos — Build in a free-tier or sandbox account every week.
- Read the docs — Exam questions follow official documentation.
- Cost safety — Set billing alerts before labs.
- Timing — Practise finishing with ten minutes to spare.
How we ranked these picks
Exam format, fee and prerequisites come from the official page for Azure Administrator (AZ-104), checked 3 November 2026. The plan reflects common preparation patterns; adjust to your background.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to prepare for Azure Administrator (AZ-104)?
About 10 weeks for most people; less with experience.
How much does Azure Administrator (AZ-104) cost?
Exam priced by country.
What is the Azure Administrator (AZ-104) exam format?
100 minutes; renew free every 12 months.
How do I renew?
Free online assessment every 12 months.
Is there a free Azure Administrator (AZ-104) practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers a free practice test, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice Test. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.