Cloud: The Reality of AZ-104

Last week, I failed the AZ-104 (Admin Associate) exam. This certification is known to be the Azure equivalent of the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA), and since I have some personal experience in Azure (Data Engineering) and professional (Migrations), I thought, let’s get certified.

Well, well, well…

Funnily enough, the Admin Associate exam is more of an Admin exam, and the SAA is more of an Architect exam. This I hadn’t realised, since my only studying was a 4-hour study cram by John Savill and a few practice Qs. I flew through the study cram and thought, hey this architecture all makes sense I’ll be able to wing this exam with no problem. Especially since it has Microsoft Learn available; it’s open book!

I was wrong.

Not only are the questions designed such that you can’t search keywords on MS Learn, but MS Learn itself takes 15 seconds to get from your query to the page - not much when you get less than 2 minutes per question.

The exam was also sooooooo wordy. If you’re like me; a technologist who had to learn to write more than just bullet points, you’ll feel my pain.

So my key takeaways for you are:

• Prepare for Admin Depth: Unlike broad, design-focused exams, the AZ-104 requires you to master specific configurations, protocols, and admin-level procedures.

• Windows and Active Directory Expertise: This exam highlights Azure’s roots. Be ready for topics like Windows Server environments, restoring backups, and managing access controls.

• Hands-On Practice: Microsoft Learn is a great resource, but it won’t replace the practical experience needed. Familiarity with exact steps and real-world admin tasks is essential.

I made a video diving deeper into this. Check it out below.

PS Last week’s video on Why I’m Leaving AWS for Azure popped off with over 7,000 views as I write this… Taking me over the 1,000 subscriber mark.

Thank you for your support.

Any video requests just let me know by replying to this email.

Career: Turning Failure into Fuel

For the AZ-104 exam, the pass mark was 700, and I scored 609. There are a bunch of excuses (see above lol), as well as company VPN issues that killed 30 mins of my time. I could’ve viewed it as a setback, but I’ve learned that failure only becomes permanent when you let it stop you.

Why You Should Keep Going:

• Failure Isn’t Final: It’s a moment, not a status. Every stumble is an opportunity to learn and grow. I walked away from the AZ-104 experience with a sharper understanding of what’s needed for success in Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.

• Adapt and Persist: When the pressure was on—technical glitches, lost time, the rush—I realized that resilience is more important than any score. What matters is coming back with more determination and a better plan.

• Embrace the Process: Each failed attempt shapes you. It’s a lesson in persistence and self-reflection. The real failure is choosing not to try again.

Remember, failure is only final when you stop.

Don’t stop.

(with that said, I better get this exam rebooked…)

Luke

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