How to Pass Azure Admin Associate (AZ-104)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their journey to passing the Azure Admin Associate (AZ-104) certification. They detail the study strategies that worked, including using John Sav's videos, hands-on labs on Microsoft Learn, and practice exams. The speaker emphasizes the importance of using ChatGPT for clarifying doubts and offers tips for exam day, such as marking difficult questions for later review and using Microsoft Learn as an open book. Key topics covered in the exam included Azure Active Directory, Azure App Service, networking, and RBAC. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to follow similar strategies for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hands-on practice in the Azure portal is crucial for getting familiar with the platform.
• 😀 John Sav’s video provides a good basic understanding of Azure concepts but isn't detailed enough for exam prep.
• 😀 Using ChatGPT as a study tool helps clarify difficult concepts and explains things that might not be clear from other resources.
• 😀 Taking at least two practice exams is key: the first one to use ChatGPT for clarification, and the second to test your own knowledge.
• 😀 Skipping theory sections on Microsoft Learn and focusing on the Hands-On Labs will help you better understand the material.
• 😀 During the exam, answer questions you're confident about first, and flag the difficult ones to review later.
• 😀 Microsoft Learn's open-book approach is useful during the exam, especially for specific, technical queries (e.g., ports, Bastion).
• 😀 Topics like Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Azure App Service, and virtual networks are heavily emphasized in the exam.
• 😀 Azure networking concepts, such as VPNs, virtual networks, and peering, are important for the exam.
• 😀 Knowing the ins and outs of user management and permissions in Azure AD is critical, especially for questions about deleting users.
• 😀 After passing the exam, consider further certifications like the Data Fundamentals course if you're interested in data engineering.

Q & A

How did the speaker study for the Azure Admin Associate exam?

The speaker used a combination of strategies: first, watching John Sav's video for basic understanding, then completing hands-on projects to familiarize themselves with the Azure portal. They also used practice exams and ChatGPT for explanations and further learning.

What role did practice exams play in the speaker's study strategy?

Practice exams were crucial. The speaker recommended doing at least two practice exams. The first exam was used to identify areas of weakness and ask ChatGPT for explanations, while the second exam focused on self-reliance with minimal use of ChatGPT.

What specific resources from Microsoft Learn did the speaker find helpful?

The speaker found the Hands-On Labs in Microsoft Learn particularly useful. They recommended skipping through the content to reach the labs, which allowed for practical learning and a deeper understanding of the Azure portal.

What strategy did the speaker adopt during the actual exam?

The speaker used a strategy of marking questions for review if unsure and then revisiting them at the end. They used Microsoft Learn as an open-book resource to search for answers, especially for technical terms or port-related questions.

How did the speaker utilize ChatGPT during their studying process?

ChatGPT was used to clarify concepts and explain answers during practice exams. If the speaker was unsure about a topic, they would ask ChatGPT for an explanation before making a final decision on the answer.

What content areas were emphasized in the Azure Admin Associate exam according to the speaker?

The exam heavily focused on Azure Active Directory (ENT ID), Azure App Service, load balancers, and networking concepts like virtual networks and VPNs. The speaker also mentioned that knowledge of NSG (Network Security Groups) and access control via RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) were tested.

What were some of the trickier topics in the exam?

The speaker noted that questions about Azure Active Directory (such as user and group management) and specific Azure services like Bastion and load balancing could be tricky. The exam often involved scenarios designed to test the depth of understanding.

What key takeaway did the speaker emphasize about studying for the Azure Admin Associate exam?

The speaker emphasized a balanced approach: start with introductory videos like John Sav's for basic knowledge, then dive into hands-on practice via Microsoft Learn, and finish with practice exams to test and refine knowledge.

How important were virtual machine and network knowledge for the exam?

Very important. The speaker mentioned that understanding virtual machines, scaling, virtual networks, and how networking (like pinging) works was essential for passing the exam.

What did the speaker say about the use of Microsoft Learn during the exam?

The speaker recommended using Microsoft Learn as an open-book resource, especially for specific technical details like ports and service configurations. Searching keywords and consulting FAQs on the platform was a helpful strategy during the exam.