Section 2 of 14
AZ-104 is not a memorization exam. It tests whether you can read a scenario, identify the requirement, and pick the right tool. The study plan below mixes conceptual learning, hands-on practice, and exam-style question drills.
The goal is to build mental models for each of the five domains. You should be able to explain what each Azure service does and why it exists, even if you have not yet used it. One week is enough for most people. Two if you are starting from zero Azure exposure.
**John Savill AZ-104 Study Cram V2: **The single best free video for conceptual coverage. Watch end-to-end at 1x speed once, then again at 1.5x while reading along in this guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Knf9nub4-k
**The Tech Blackboard AZ-104 series: **Excellent practice-question explanations and dedicated case study walkthroughs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxjUtHHVKI
The exam tests whether you know how to do things, not just what they are. You do not need to actually complete every lab end-to-end. The point is to internalize the order of steps and the names of the blades.
Here is how to actually use it: open each lab, skim through the process of enacting all the Azure things, and then read the valuable explanation at the end of each lab. You do NOT need to actually do the labs hands-on. Reading the lab walkthroughs gives you the same conceptual muscle memory in a fraction of the time.
At the end of the course, take the practice test. This is one of the closest matches to the actual exam style you will find and it surfaces any weak areas before you sit the real thing.
Reading lab walkthroughs is enough. You are not being tested on whether you clicked the right button - you are being tested on whether you know which service, which tier, which scope. The lab walkthroughs reinforce all of that without the time sink of actually deploying resources.
This is the most important phase and where the bulk of your learning consolidation happens. Work through practice questions, drill case studies, and critically - use an AI assistant to break down any question, term, or concept you do not understand. The patterns repeat. Pattern recognition wins this exam.
The Tech Blackboard 150-question and 400+ question YouTube videos
ExamTopics discussions for community-vetted answers on tricky scenarios
Any practice tests you have access to - the more variety, the better
Case studies are where most people lose points. They are non-reversible (Yes/No questions inside them cannot be revisited), longer, and require mapping requirements across multiple sections. Practice these specifically before exam day.
The Tech Blackboard case study playlist (6+ full case studies with walkthroughs)
Microsoft's free sample case study on the exam page
This is the multiplier. For every question you get wrong - or even questions where you guessed right but did not understand WHY - paste it into an AI assistant (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini) and ask for a breakdown. Ask follow-up questions until the concept fully clicks. Ask it to explain why each wrong answer is wrong, not just why the right answer is right.
Good AI prompts for AZ-104 review "Explain this question and why option B is correct over option D. Then quiz me on the same concept from a different angle." "I don't understand the difference between Service Endpoint and Private Endpoint. Give me 3 scenarios where each is the right answer and 1 where they are confusable." "What is the most-tested distinction Microsoft uses for [concept]? Give me 5 question patterns."
The last 24 hours before the exam should be recall only. Do not learn new material. Use the Rapid Recall section at the end of this guide. Get 7-8 hours of sleep. Eat lightly the morning of.
| Week | Focus | Daily time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Phase 1 - concepts (Savill video + this guide) | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Week 2 | Phase 2 - SkillUp lab walkthroughs + practice test | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Week 3 | Phase 3 - question bank + case studies + AI review | 2 hours |
| Day before | Rapid Recall section only, then sleep | 1 hour max |