I recently took the AZ-204 exam but unfortunately, I scored 590, and I need at least 700 to pass. I prepared for three weeks, studying about two hours on weekdays and more than eight hours on weekends, using an Udemy course along with MeasureUp practice tests. My background isn't in Microsoft; I primarily work on a Mac and have development experience in JavaScript, Python, and Ruby. My aim is to become a Cloud or DevOps Engineer. However, I found the exam difficult, especially since many questions involved Visual Studio, which I can't use on my Mac, and a strong focus on .NET and C#, which I have no experience with. Should I reconsider my strategy and possibly focus on AWS instead?
5 Answers
Just a heads-up, AWS can be just as specific as Azure. They’ll ask about things like CloudFormation and other AWS tools. It sounds like you might benefit from getting some foundational knowledge first, like with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam (the 104) to familiarize yourself with the basics before diving deep into certification prep.
Have you checked if MeasureUp offers a money-back guarantee? They do! Also, how were you scoring on their practice tests? If you weren't hitting around 90, it might explain the lower results on the actual exam.
I appreciate the tip! I did get a subscription to MeasureUp, but I didn’t reach above 80 on their tests.
True, Azure does have a strong focus on Microsoft technologies, but don't forget that every cloud platform has its quirks. If you're running into obstacles, it's okay to explore AWS too, as every provider has its areas of heavy focus that require familiarity. Just remember that the path to certification may not be easy, but it often leads to better job prospects within that tech stack.
Two weeks isn't really enough time to prepare. You'll want to give yourself a couple of months to really dive into the material, do hands-on labs, and read the documentation thoroughly. This exam is no walk in the park!
You're right about the time—I realize now that I need more preparation.
While Azure does lean towards .NET and C# because of its Microsoft roots, you can also run Visual Studio on a virtual machine using something like Parallels or VMware Fusion. But really think about where you want to work—do you have a preference for Azure or AWS? With a bit more study time, I'm sure you could pass the AZ-204. Try using spaced repetition, flashcards, and mock exams to solidify your knowledge.
Got it, that makes sense! I'll definitely consider starting with the basics.