I'm considering pursuing Azure certifications and need some guidance. I've been a developer for 10 years and have a background in Software Engineering, working with C#, Java, and PHP until about 2020. Since then, I've shifted away from development and have no plans to return. I'm currently looking into starting with AZ-900 to familiarize myself with the Azure portal, then moving on to AZ-104, and eventually AZ-305. However, I'm not planning to get certified for AZ-900. Can I jump directly to AZ-104 after AZ-900? What's the best approach to make this transition? By the way, I've set up a free Azure account and have 20 days left to use the $200 credit, but I'm cautious about incurring any costs. Any advice would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
I've been working as an Azure admin for about 3 years, doing a lot with virtual networks and Azure Active Directory. The AZ-104 is pretty comprehensive, so prepare for a broader and deeper study. If you're familiarizing yourself with Azure now, that's a big plus. Also, the AZ-900 prep is quick—some folks wrap it up in just a day! Just make sure to get some hands-on practice in Azure Labs before you take the exams!
Given your experience, you might not need the AZ-900 at all. If you're good at taking tests, consider jumping directly to AZ-104. Invest in some practice exams to help you prepare. You'll benefit and save time by skipping the introductory certification.
AZ-900 is mainly a quick overview, and a lot of people pass it quickly. If you're looking to skip it, focus on hands-on practice for AZ-104 instead. That exam will cover a lot more ground, so the more you can experiment with Azure, the better prepared you'll be!
I agree! With a decade of development experience, diving straight into AZ-104 makes sense, especially if you're confident in your test-taking skills. Good luck!