Azure Certification...where to start

I’m not sure if Azure becoming a popular choice over AWS or if it’s because I have more time to answer your questions about Azure and certification, but my LinkedIn Inbox has been full of the same type of certification questions.

Where do I start

What exam should I take?

In what order?

Instead of copying and pasting the same links and comments individually, I decided it was time for me to create a post. Plus, this also helps me meet the goal of writing more during my “break.”

Here are my go-to recommendations for AZ-900, 104, and 305. This is not an exhaustive list and I know there are other fantastic resources available that I have not listed.

Let’s start at the beginning. If you are new to Azure, I would suggest with the Microsoft exam poster https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RE2PjDI. This is a wonderful document to determine where you want your learning and career to go. You may choose a path based on your role or you want to pivot to a new role and need a direction to follow. No matter what the reason, the poster will help you meet your goals and provide a learning path. I’m going to focus on Azure infrastructure because that is what I’m most familiar with. The general rule of thumb for Azure Admin/Architect certification is AZ-900 (if you are new to Azure), AZ-104 followed by AZ-305.

Step 1 – Azure Fundamentals

If you are new to Azure, cloud or have not sat a Microsoft exam in some time I suggest you start with AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals.

Azure Fundamentals will provide you with the foundation of terminology and basic services of Azure.

My learning suggestions are:

MS Learn: Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals - Learn | Microsoft Docs. You will find the learning path at the bottom of the page.

LinkedIn Learning: AZ-900 Exam Tips Azure certification for advancement (linkedin.com). This course is a part of larger learning path if you want to dive into any of the topics in more detail.

John Savill on YouTube has a fantastic AZ-900 exam cram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz-8jM3jg-8. John also has a full AZ-900 playlist.

Pluralsight: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: AZ-900 Exam Prep | Pluralsight

Step 2 – Azure Administrator Associate

If you are familiar with Azure or have completed AZ-900, AZ-104 is your next step. This exam is what I refer to as the “doing” exam. Be sure you can perform the exam objectives. Know the basics of both PowerShell and CLI. You don't need to be an expert just understand the basic structure. My trick to remember PowerShell is the action (Start, Create, Stop, Remove, Set) on what (Az-ResourceGroup, Az-VM, AzStorageAccount). For example, to stop an Azure virtual machine we use Stop-AzVM, to create a Resource group we use New-AzResourceGroup. Refer to the PowerShell documentation for more examples and guidance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/.

Here's my list of AZ-104 resources, in no particular order.

LinkedIn Learning: Learning Path https://www.dhirubhai.net/learning/paths/prepare-for-the-microsoft-azure-administrator-az-104-exam.

Pluralsight: https://www.pluralsight.com/

John Savill: ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOod_VNgdJk

MS Learn: AZ-104: Prerequisites for Azure administrators - Learn | Microsoft Docs

Step 3 – Azure Solutions Architect

Onto AZ-305. You will need to take this exam and AZ-104 to earn your Azure Solutions Architect certification. This exam is all about the design of the solution not the how to configure it. I like to think of this exam as the high-level exam. That does not mean it is an easy exam, but it does not have the same hands-on depth as AZ-104.

For AZ-305, I highly recommend you be familiar with the Cloud Adoption Framework https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ and the Microsoft Azure Well Architected Framework https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/. The Azure Architecture Center will also be helpful https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/.

I also suggest you review and attempt the MOC case studies https://microsoftlearning.github.io/AZ-305-DesigningMicrosoftAzureInfrastructureSolutions/ as you prepare for this exam.

My suggestions for learning.

MS Learn: Browse all - Learn | Microsoft Docs

John Savill: AZ-305 Study Cram https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq9LuCM4YP4

You can still use the now retired AZ-303 and AZ-304 materials from Pluralsight and other sources BUT be sure you are focusing on the AZ-305 objectives.

Bonus material

Finally, I have been creating my own study guides for various Microsoft exams over the years. You can find those here https://github.com/bennettsharon/MS-Azure-Study-Guides. These are NOT official Microsoft or LinkedIn resources and are not updated. I’ve tried to keep the exam objective links are on the right side of the OneNote pages and additional links on the left of the page. Some of you have been asking about the AZ-80X OneNotes, those are coming.

Last thoughts

Let’s support each other. If you have additional resources for AZ-900, 104 or 305 please add those in the comments. I hope to create a curated lists of all the available resources in the future.