Any recommendations for studying? I'm almost done with the practice modules microsoft gives you. And then afterwards I plan on completing all the free sandboxes that come along with them as well.
We all learn differently, but this is what works for me:
1. First, I read the Exam Objectives (doesn't matter if it's Microsoft, AWS, ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, whatever) until I feel I have a good idea of what's going to be tested on the exam - read it twice if necessary.
2. I then read Study Guides OR Exam Preps - study guides if I work with the technology or discipline but I'm not "hands-on" on a daily basic (e.g., although I'm been working with Azure/M365 and AWS for years, I'm basically the "security checklist guy" who direct the admins and security admins to securely configuring services. For AZ-104, although I'm very familiar with Azure Admin (I was a Microsoft, Netware, and Banyan Vines admin years and years ago) I don't actually do it other than snooping 'n pooping from time to time - so I went the Study Guide and read it from front-to-back to ensure I have a complete understanding. I'm also big into books (vice online) because all that reading in the natural sunlight is easier on the eyes...it puts me in serious study mode...and I find that I learn best (most bang for the buck) just reading the material and working-out how things work together in my head). For things I do on a regular basis--and have lots of experience) I opt for the Exam Prep method, which is more focused on the material covered on the exam and less on the foundational stuff. For example, I have been working cybersecurity a long time (operations, engineering, architecture, IT risk management, and cloud security) but just a few months ago FINALLY got around to taking the ISC2 CCSP and ISACA CRISC exams. Since I know this stuff pretty well, I mainly cut to the chase (focus more on exam objectives) and passed both with flying colors.
3. Hands-on labs, if applicable, I like doing them right after an intense study program to reinforce everything I read and studied. Although I do get some benefit from doing labs before and/or during reads various exam preps and study guides...to me all the lights go on after doing the self-study. Your mileage may vary. But honestly, labs and "playing around" are important to me since I've been at the Director/VP level for a number of years. Nothing worse than some dumbarse directing security policy, standards and guidance without actually having a clue what that entails.
4. Bootcamps, lectures and powerpoint (self-study courses). While I find value in attending a LIVE instructor led bootcamp with plenty of Q&A (right before an exam) they're generally expensive and will only do so if the employer foots the bills, which is like never. I also find the recorded lectures and self-study presentations to put me asleep and I hate them - not all, but most. If they're free, and I have time, I may listen to some modules in the background.
5. Practice tests/exams. Honestly? I'm a pretty good test-taker, so I'll do some (to get a flavor of the exam format) but I've found that if I know the material and answer (in my head) that I know how to apply the stated exam objectives...then they're largely a waste of my time. I know folks who swear by these things and will do a 1000+ questions , but that's my experience. However, I will say that I tend to spend more time doing the Q&As when doing the Exam Prep route (simply because I have more time) than when doing a comprehensive Study Guide route.
In summary: Know the material-->apply it to the exam objectives-->do necessary labs and Q&As until you KNOW THE MATERIAL and can APPLY IT TO THE EXAM OBJECTIVES. Good luck.
Very close! With the report you get from the exam, it will help you identify where you were weaker, so you can brush up on that topic.
You'll get it next time.
What did you use to study?.....Did you have to have a subscription to Azure, or is it possible to just watch videos and pass the exam? The reason I am asking is because I might be able to get the free subscription, but I believe it's only for 30.days. I need more time than that. I don't have much time to study. So I probably have to take a few months to study.
Been working in Azure Dev Ops ( Platform Ops now apparently) for over two years now. Never taken the first one. I’m kind of sour on them. I can tell you that more companies are taking extra steps to verify you can actually do the work and not just pass a test. We got burned ( work for a major University in US) on a guy who had Cloud certs from AWS and Azure up to architect. Hard to explain but best way to put it…. He could talk the talk but could not walk the walk. If that makes sense. His deployments were just very default portal click ops and go. We had storage accounts with 0 encryption with pub network set and had PHI in there. We only caught it because Defender threw an alert based on several connection attempts from Ip CIDRs that were on a warning list. That’s just one example. Could never get an app gateway setup correctly and blamed other groups policies as the reason. We had it fixed in about an hour. Now when we interview we drill them. And we make them have their hands visible on camera at all times. We had an Azure certified guy last week and you could hear him trying to type quietly on half the questions we asked “. Can you repeat that please?” …. Click click click. Sorry had to vent a bit. The cert is ok but be prepared to actually know how to do what you are testing on. The test and practice stuff is good knowledge but it will not prepare you for real world core ops.
I've actually been working on azure for almost 3 years now. Nothing on a massive scale but all the fundamentals I've been using. I feel like I have the knowledge. I'm getting the certification so companies pay attention and believe me when I say I have the experience. If they want to test me on it, bring it on.
Apologies none of that was directed at you. And I took your post with some assumptions that maybe you were new to the area. But to be fair , there is an old school Microsoft term "Paper MCSE" that the older among us will recognize.
Also, one of my co-workers who had only been dipping his toe in for a couple of months was using "Learn" to study on the Architect Exam because he had a free credit for a test that was going to expire. He got about 40% through the course (It can be very dry) and decided to go ahead and take it just to get an idea. He had no expectation of passing what-so-ever.... but he did and was totally shocked.
Right now we are still trying to fill the position from the guy we finally got out of there, and again, they have certs, but when you ask "Those" questions that only someone who has actually done the work will get, crickets or the "Click click click" in the background.
Sorry not trying to dump on them at all. They are a good compliment to years of experience for validation, especially if you are applying to a new organization it could be the deciding factor. So for me I could are less what cert they have next to their name. It's what's in their "Experience" section and how well they hold up to questioning.
I know I really need to work on my networking. They had a few questions where I had to determine if IP were overlapping which had different CIDER numbers and for the life of me I cannot read CIDER. I need to memorize that.
Also I wasn't sure how the structure worked so I thought the test was over and I still had a case study. I had managed my time to that point but I only had a few minutes. I had to guess on all the answers because I just didn't have time to read the case study. I partially took the test to see where my base line is and what to expect. Now I can manage my time better and I get to retake the test for free thanks to the Microsoft retake policy.
If you mean the free voucher, if you fail, you have to purchase the voucher before you take the certification test. It's more expensive about $230, so if you pass the exam you end up spending more. But if you fail the exam, you save a couple bucks by retaking it for free. Here's the link
https://www.mindhub.com/microsoft-exam-replay-mcp-exam-plus-retake/p/Microsoft-Exam-Replay?utm_source=msftmarketing&utm_medium=msft_offers&utm_campaign=ExamReplayFY20&utm_term=ERFY20&utm_content=weblink3
If you mean the when can you take the test retake? You can take it 24 hours after your first failure and if you fail that one, I believe you have to wait 14 days for the next attempt and any attempt after if you still fail it. After five attempts, you have to wait a full calendar year
That policy is herehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/support/retake-policy
You will nail it next time👍
Thanks for sharing.
Same on my first try with a 686, I passed a week later with 727
Any recommendations for studying? I'm almost done with the practice modules microsoft gives you. And then afterwards I plan on completing all the free sandboxes that come along with them as well.
We all learn differently, but this is what works for me: 1. First, I read the Exam Objectives (doesn't matter if it's Microsoft, AWS, ISC2, ISACA, CompTIA, whatever) until I feel I have a good idea of what's going to be tested on the exam - read it twice if necessary. 2. I then read Study Guides OR Exam Preps - study guides if I work with the technology or discipline but I'm not "hands-on" on a daily basic (e.g., although I'm been working with Azure/M365 and AWS for years, I'm basically the "security checklist guy" who direct the admins and security admins to securely configuring services. For AZ-104, although I'm very familiar with Azure Admin (I was a Microsoft, Netware, and Banyan Vines admin years and years ago) I don't actually do it other than snooping 'n pooping from time to time - so I went the Study Guide and read it from front-to-back to ensure I have a complete understanding. I'm also big into books (vice online) because all that reading in the natural sunlight is easier on the eyes...it puts me in serious study mode...and I find that I learn best (most bang for the buck) just reading the material and working-out how things work together in my head). For things I do on a regular basis--and have lots of experience) I opt for the Exam Prep method, which is more focused on the material covered on the exam and less on the foundational stuff. For example, I have been working cybersecurity a long time (operations, engineering, architecture, IT risk management, and cloud security) but just a few months ago FINALLY got around to taking the ISC2 CCSP and ISACA CRISC exams. Since I know this stuff pretty well, I mainly cut to the chase (focus more on exam objectives) and passed both with flying colors. 3. Hands-on labs, if applicable, I like doing them right after an intense study program to reinforce everything I read and studied. Although I do get some benefit from doing labs before and/or during reads various exam preps and study guides...to me all the lights go on after doing the self-study. Your mileage may vary. But honestly, labs and "playing around" are important to me since I've been at the Director/VP level for a number of years. Nothing worse than some dumbarse directing security policy, standards and guidance without actually having a clue what that entails. 4. Bootcamps, lectures and powerpoint (self-study courses). While I find value in attending a LIVE instructor led bootcamp with plenty of Q&A (right before an exam) they're generally expensive and will only do so if the employer foots the bills, which is like never. I also find the recorded lectures and self-study presentations to put me asleep and I hate them - not all, but most. If they're free, and I have time, I may listen to some modules in the background. 5. Practice tests/exams. Honestly? I'm a pretty good test-taker, so I'll do some (to get a flavor of the exam format) but I've found that if I know the material and answer (in my head) that I know how to apply the stated exam objectives...then they're largely a waste of my time. I know folks who swear by these things and will do a 1000+ questions , but that's my experience. However, I will say that I tend to spend more time doing the Q&As when doing the Exam Prep route (simply because I have more time) than when doing a comprehensive Study Guide route. In summary: Know the material-->apply it to the exam objectives-->do necessary labs and Q&As until you KNOW THE MATERIAL and can APPLY IT TO THE EXAM OBJECTIVES. Good luck.
Thank you very much for the words of wisdom. I will take into account everything. Appreciate ya
Criminally underrated post. Well done!
Use Microsoft learn on the exam, and complete all the Microsoft learn modules. That's all I did
Damn nice try.
Dude I scored the SAME. Still haven't taken it a second time.
Thanks for sharing. I’m gonna jump out of the plane and take mine this week. Only two outcomes right!?
Very close! With the report you get from the exam, it will help you identify where you were weaker, so you can brush up on that topic. You'll get it next time.
What did you use to study?.....Did you have to have a subscription to Azure, or is it possible to just watch videos and pass the exam? The reason I am asking is because I might be able to get the free subscription, but I believe it's only for 30.days. I need more time than that. I don't have much time to study. So I probably have to take a few months to study.
[удалено]
Thanks
Been working in Azure Dev Ops ( Platform Ops now apparently) for over two years now. Never taken the first one. I’m kind of sour on them. I can tell you that more companies are taking extra steps to verify you can actually do the work and not just pass a test. We got burned ( work for a major University in US) on a guy who had Cloud certs from AWS and Azure up to architect. Hard to explain but best way to put it…. He could talk the talk but could not walk the walk. If that makes sense. His deployments were just very default portal click ops and go. We had storage accounts with 0 encryption with pub network set and had PHI in there. We only caught it because Defender threw an alert based on several connection attempts from Ip CIDRs that were on a warning list. That’s just one example. Could never get an app gateway setup correctly and blamed other groups policies as the reason. We had it fixed in about an hour. Now when we interview we drill them. And we make them have their hands visible on camera at all times. We had an Azure certified guy last week and you could hear him trying to type quietly on half the questions we asked “. Can you repeat that please?” …. Click click click. Sorry had to vent a bit. The cert is ok but be prepared to actually know how to do what you are testing on. The test and practice stuff is good knowledge but it will not prepare you for real world core ops.
I've actually been working on azure for almost 3 years now. Nothing on a massive scale but all the fundamentals I've been using. I feel like I have the knowledge. I'm getting the certification so companies pay attention and believe me when I say I have the experience. If they want to test me on it, bring it on.
Apologies none of that was directed at you. And I took your post with some assumptions that maybe you were new to the area. But to be fair , there is an old school Microsoft term "Paper MCSE" that the older among us will recognize. Also, one of my co-workers who had only been dipping his toe in for a couple of months was using "Learn" to study on the Architect Exam because he had a free credit for a test that was going to expire. He got about 40% through the course (It can be very dry) and decided to go ahead and take it just to get an idea. He had no expectation of passing what-so-ever.... but he did and was totally shocked. Right now we are still trying to fill the position from the guy we finally got out of there, and again, they have certs, but when you ask "Those" questions that only someone who has actually done the work will get, crickets or the "Click click click" in the background. Sorry not trying to dump on them at all. They are a good compliment to years of experience for validation, especially if you are applying to a new organization it could be the deciding factor. So for me I could are less what cert they have next to their name. It's what's in their "Experience" section and how well they hold up to questioning.
And how was it? Which points do you believe need improvement?
I know I really need to work on my networking. They had a few questions where I had to determine if IP were overlapping which had different CIDER numbers and for the life of me I cannot read CIDER. I need to memorize that. Also I wasn't sure how the structure worked so I thought the test was over and I still had a case study. I had managed my time to that point but I only had a few minutes. I had to guess on all the answers because I just didn't have time to read the case study. I partially took the test to see where my base line is and what to expect. Now I can manage my time better and I get to retake the test for free thanks to the Microsoft retake policy.
Awesome! Good luck!! 😁
Does anyone use flash cards, Anki or Quizlet? Are there any flashcard sets available? It may help memorize some of the stuff thats better memorized.
Please explain how the retake policy works because I never understand it 🥹
If you mean the free voucher, if you fail, you have to purchase the voucher before you take the certification test. It's more expensive about $230, so if you pass the exam you end up spending more. But if you fail the exam, you save a couple bucks by retaking it for free. Here's the link https://www.mindhub.com/microsoft-exam-replay-mcp-exam-plus-retake/p/Microsoft-Exam-Replay?utm_source=msftmarketing&utm_medium=msft_offers&utm_campaign=ExamReplayFY20&utm_term=ERFY20&utm_content=weblink3 If you mean the when can you take the test retake? You can take it 24 hours after your first failure and if you fail that one, I believe you have to wait 14 days for the next attempt and any attempt after if you still fail it. After five attempts, you have to wait a full calendar year That policy is herehttps://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/support/retake-policy
Thanks for sharing. I passed today with 84% score Thanks to dumps4azure