Section 13 of 14
These two YouTube videos were the backbone of my preparation. Watch them in this order.
**John Savill AZ-104 Study Cram V2: **End-to-end concept overview, the single best free video for conceptual coverage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Knf9nub4-k
**The Tech Blackboard - 150 Practice Questions: **Question-by-question explanations that teach you the patterns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxjUtHHVKI
**Continued Practice Bank: **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aey3GYUFoNk
**Case Study Series: **https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0AYtrUw-NRTPEtsQsDH-UQL88Q8Vu8_8
**Day of Review: **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Regd83TLM
Here is how I actually used it: I did NOT do the labs hands-on. Instead, I opened each lab, skimmed through the process of enacting all the Azure things, and then read the valuable explanation at the end of each lab. The explanations are the gold - they articulate the WHY behind each step. Then I took the practice test at the end of the course.
The practice test in this course is one of the closest matches to the real exam style and tone, and it surfaces weak spots quickly. Treat it as a dress rehearsal.
The Tech Blackboard YouTube series (150 + 400 question variants)
SkillUp with LevelUp practice test at the end of the course
ExamTopics community discussions for AZ-104 (good for tricky scenarios)
Use these as references when you hit a concept you do not understand. Not for sequential reading.
Built-in RBAC roles: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/role-based-access-control/built-in-roles
Azure Backup support matrix: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/backup-support-matrix
Network Watcher overview: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/network-watcher/
Azure Policy effects: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/concepts/effects
Storage account types: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-account-overview
VM sizes: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/sizes
Load balancer comparison: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/technology-choices/load-balancing-overview
Heads up: I personally did NOT use the official Microsoft Learn AZ-104 learning path. The structured Microsoft modules are thorough but the pacing did not work for me - too slow, too much surface area covered with not enough exam focus. Your mileage may vary. Some people find Microsoft Learn essential. If you have the time and prefer Microsoft's official structured approach, these are the links. If you are time-constrained, the videos + SkillUp combination above got me to a pass without touching these.
**AZ-104 Certification Page: **https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-administrator/
**AZ-104 Study Guide (official): **https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/az-104
**Microsoft Learn AZ-104 Learning Path: **https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/az-104-administrator-prerequisites/
**Free Microsoft Practice Assessment: **Available on the certification page