AZ-900 vs AZ-104 — Azure Fundamentals or Azure Administrator?
Compare difficulty, time-to-study, and who each exam fits. Then try a mini test.
Quick answers
- Pick based on your goal: job role, timeline, and prerequisites.
- Faster progress comes from daily practice + repeating mistakes.
- If unsure: start with the simpler/foundation exam first.
- Use the mini tests to decide which feels more natural.
AZ-900 and AZ-104 are both Azure certifications, but they are aimed at different stages. AZ-900 is a fundamentals exam for cloud concepts, Azure services, pricing, governance, and basic security. AZ-104 is much deeper and focuses on administering Azure resources in practice.
If you are new to Azure, AZ-900 is the easier entry point. If you already work with Azure or want an operations/admin role, AZ-104 is the more job-relevant certification.
Use this comparison to choose the better first step, then continue in PrepMaster for offline Azure practice.
Compare exams
| Category | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners who are new to Azure and cloud concepts | Learners who want practical Azure administration skills |
| Difficulty | Entry-level and much easier | Significantly harder and more hands-on |
| Main focus | Cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, governance, and basic security | Managing identities, compute, networking, storage, monitoring, and Azure resources |
| Hands-on level | Low hands-on requirement compared with role-based exams | Much more practical and operational |
| Study time | Usually shorter for most learners | Usually longer because the depth is much higher |
| Best first step | Better if you are new to Azure | Better if you already know Azure basics or work with Azure in practice |
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How to choose
- Pick by goal: job role and what skills you want to prove.
- Pick by timeline: if you’re unsure, start with the more foundational exam.
- Pick by feel: do both mini tests and see which question style is more natural.
- Best workflow: daily practice + review mistakes + repeat weak topics until stable.
Topics & Skills Covered
- Azure fundamentals vs administrator depth
- Difficulty difference
- Study time expectations
- Best exam for beginners
- Career fit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is AZ-104 harder than AZ-900?
Yes. AZ-104 is significantly harder because it tests deeper Azure administration knowledge and more practical service decisions.
Should I take AZ-900 before AZ-104?
Usually yes if you are new to Azure. AZ-900 gives a cleaner foundation before moving into AZ-104.
Can I skip AZ-900?
Yes, if you already have Azure hands-on experience and want to move directly toward administrator-level knowledge.
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