Have you ever wondered if an Azure Developer associate-level certificate (AZ-204) is worth obtaining or perhaps you have already decided to pursue it but don't know where to start? A few members of our team have recently earned their certifications, and we’re here to share our tips to guide you along your journey!
Is AZ-204 right for you?
Are you a developer interested in taking the exam? Here are some scenarios where AZ-204 might be suitable for you:
New to Cloud Technology: You're looking to start developing cloud-based applications.
Familiar with Other Vendors: You’ve worked with another public cloud but want to get familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem.
Company Transition: Your company is moving its workloads to Azure, and you want to stay ahead.
Career Advancement: You’ve started your career recently and want to upskill.
Knowledge Verification: You're already familiar with Azure and its services but want to validate your skills through a formal certification.
If any of these scenarios apply to you, then AZ-204 is suitable for your needs. We hope this article helps you!
Study guide – the short version
If you already have some experience working with Azure, you’re highly experienced in another cloud technology, or you’re simply on a time crunch, here’s a short and concise guide. However, if you’re new to Azure or cloud computing, or you have more free time, do yourself a favour and read the full version of the study guide.
Study guide – the long version
Learn the basics
Nowadays, Udemy is a great resource for learning new concepts at an affordable price. We recommend starting with these two complementary courses, which together provide a well-rounded preparation:
Scott Duffy’s course focuses more on navigating the Azure portal and walks you through the different services you’ll encounter on the exam.
Alan Rodrigues’s course is more comprehensive, delving deeper into the topics with less emphasis on the portal. It also has more code examples with C# and .NET.
Practice
An integral part of studying is getting your hands dirty. Avoid following the tutorials only by watching them. Create an Azure free account and follow along with the instructor. Even if you're not eligible for a free account, a pay-as-you-go subscription is a great alternative. Be sure to delete all resources after each exercise to avoid unwanted charges. With this approach, you can effectively practice at virtually no cost.
Microsoft Learn
There’s no better way to prepare for a Microsoft certification than by using Microsoft’s own learning resources. The MS Learn study guide is a great way to review all topics and verify your familiarity with the syllabus. We suggest referring to the documentation for each service after it’s covered in the video course you’ve chosen.
If you prefer text-based learning, you could start with MS Learn and work your way up to the video courses. Either way, MS Learn should be a key part of your preparation.
Practice tests
After completing the exercises, watching the courses, and reviewing the Microsoft Learn documentation, it's time to simulate the exam experience. Here are a few suggestions:
Transfer your knowledge
If you’re already familiar with other cloud providers, the transition to Azure may be easier. Leverage the knowledge you’ve gained from platforms like AWS or Google Cloud to draw parallels with Azure services. Check out these resources:
Bonus tip
If there’s a topic, you’re still not entirely comfortable with, this YouTube channel provides clear examples and in-depth explanations:
What’s next?
While all the steps above are essential for exam preparation, nothing beats applying your new skills in real-world projects. Even after passing the exam, continue practicing what you’ve learned. You could also get creative with AI assistance! For example, you could prompt ChatGPT (or another assistant of your choice) with something like:
"Can you suggest a detailed project idea to build while I prepare for AZ-204? My goal is to gain hands-on experience with the services covered in the exam. I prefer working with <your preferred programming language> and am particularly interested in <your area of interest>."
This approach will help solidify your knowledge and make the learning process more engaging. Have fun, happy studying, and good luck with your AZ-204 exam!
Amexis Team
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