az 204 study guide Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for Microsoft Azure Developer Associate
Complete Study Guide for Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
The AZ-204 certification validates your ability to design, build, test, and maintain cloud applications and services on Microsoft Azure. This associate-level certification demonstrates proficiency in Azure SDKs, data storage options, authentication, authorization, and implementing Azure solutions. It's highly valued by employers seeking developers who can leverage Azure's platform capabilities.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Software developers with 1-2 years of professional development experience
- Cloud developers working with Azure services
- Full-stack developers transitioning to cloud-native development
- DevOps engineers focusing on application deployment
- IT professionals with programming background seeking cloud specialization
Prerequisites
- Proficiency in at least one Azure-supported programming language (C#, Python, JavaScript, or Java)
- Understanding of Azure fundamentals and cloud concepts
- Experience with REST APIs and JSON
- Basic knowledge of Git and version control
- Familiarity with Azure Portal and Azure CLI
- Understanding of relational and NoSQL databases
Official Resources
AZ-204 Exam Official Page
Official exam page with detailed objectives, skills measured, and registration information
View ResourceAzure Developer Associate Certification
Certification overview page with requirements and learning paths
View ResourceOfficial Microsoft Learning Path for AZ-204
Comprehensive instructor-led training course covering all exam objectives
View ResourceAzure App Service Documentation
Complete documentation for Azure App Service development and deployment
View ResourceAzure Functions Documentation
Comprehensive guide to serverless computing with Azure Functions
View ResourceAzure Storage Documentation
Official documentation for all Azure Storage services including Blob, Queue, Table, and File storage
View ResourceAzure Cosmos DB Documentation
Complete guide to Azure's globally distributed database service
View ResourceAzure Key Vault Documentation
Documentation for managing secrets, keys, and certificates securely
View ResourceAzure Monitor Documentation
Complete guide to monitoring, logging, and troubleshooting Azure applications
View ResourceAzure Container Instances Documentation
Documentation for deploying and managing containers in Azure
View ResourceMicrosoft Identity Platform Documentation
Guide to implementing authentication and authorization using Microsoft Identity Platform
View ResourceAzure API Management Documentation
Documentation for creating, managing, and securing APIs
View ResourceRecommended Courses
AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Learn • 40 hours
View CourseMicrosoft Azure Developer: Create Serverless Functions
LinkedIn Learning • 3 hours
View CourseAZ-204 Full Course - Azure Developer Associate Certification
YouTube (freeCodeCamp) • 12 hours
View CourseMicrosoft Azure Developer: Developing for Autoscaling
LinkedIn Learning • 2 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
Exam Ref AZ-204 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
by Santiago Fernández Muñoz
Official Microsoft exam reference guide covering all AZ-204 objectives with real-world scenarios and practice questions
View on AmazonMicrosoft Azure Developer Exam AZ-204 Certification and Beyond
by Sumit Kumar and Harsh Chaudhary
Comprehensive guide with hands-on exercises and practice tests for AZ-204 preparation
View on AmazonAzure for Developers: An In-Depth Guide to Building Cloud Solutions
by Kamil Mrzyglod
Practical guide for developers building cloud applications on Azure with real-world examples
View on AmazonLearning Azure: Build Production-Ready Cloud Applications
by Geoff Webber-Cross and Richard Self
Comprehensive resource covering Azure development patterns and best practices
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
Microsoft Official Practice Assessment
Official Microsoft practice test with questions similar to the actual exam format
View ResourceMeasureUp AZ-204 Practice Tests
High-quality practice exams with detailed explanations, performance analytics, and study mode
View ResourceWhizlabs AZ-204 Practice Tests
Multiple full-length practice exams with detailed explanations and section-wise tests
View ResourceAzure Free Account
$200 credit for 30 days plus 12 months of free services for hands-on practice
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn Sandbox Environment
Free temporary Azure subscription for completing Microsoft Learn modules without using your own account
View ResourceAzure Code Samples
Official repository of Azure code samples for various services and scenarios
View ResourceAzure DevOps Labs
Hands-on labs covering Azure services with step-by-step instructions
View ResourceTutorials Dojo AZ-204 Practice Exams
Practice exams with detailed explanations and timed mode
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
Microsoft Q&A - Azure
Official Microsoft Q&A forum for Azure-related questions with responses from Microsoft experts and community
Join Communityr/AzureCertification
Active Reddit community for Azure certification discussions, study tips, and exam experiences
Join CommunityAzure Developer Community
Official Microsoft Tech Community blog with articles, updates, and discussions for Azure developers
Join CommunityJohn Savill's Technical Training
Excellent YouTube channel with Azure certification study sessions and technical deep dives
Join CommunityThomas Maurer Blog
Popular blog covering Azure topics, tutorials, and certification guidance
Join CommunityAzure Greg's Blog
Blog focused on Azure development and certifications with practical examples
Join CommunityMicrosoft Azure Discord Community
Official Microsoft Discord server with Azure channels for community support
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice is Critical
- Create a free Azure account and use the $200 credit to practice every service covered in the exam
- Build at least 3-5 complete projects that integrate multiple Azure services
- Practice using Azure CLI, PowerShell, and Azure SDKs (C#, Python, JavaScript) for automating tasks
- Don't just read documentation—actually deploy, configure, and troubleshoot services
- Create a resource group for study purposes and delete it regularly to manage costs
Focus on SDK and Code Implementation
- AZ-204 is code-heavy—expect questions with code snippets in C#, Python, or JavaScript
- Practice writing code for Azure Storage operations, authentication flows, and Function triggers
- Understand SDK namespaces and common methods (e.g., BlobClient, CosmosClient, SecretClient)
- Review the official Azure SDK samples repository on GitHub
- Practice reading and debugging code snippets quickly under time pressure
Master Configuration and Connection Strings
- Memorize connection string formats for Storage, Cosmos DB, Service Bus, and Event Hubs
- Understand how to configure app settings in App Service and Function Apps
- Know how to use Azure Key Vault references in configuration
- Practice retrieving secrets programmatically using managed identities
- Understand environment variables vs app settings vs Azure App Configuration
Understand Service Differences and When to Use Each
- Know when to use Event Grid vs Event Hubs vs Service Bus (this is frequently tested)
- Understand differences between Storage Queues and Service Bus Queues
- Master Cosmos DB consistency levels and when to use each (Strong, Bounded Staleness, Session, Consistent Prefix, Eventual)
- Know the differences between Azure Functions hosting plans and their cost/performance implications
- Understand when to use Azure Container Instances vs Azure Container Apps vs AKS
Security and Identity are Heavily Tested
- Practice implementing authentication with MSAL library for different application types
- Understand OAuth 2.0 flows (authorization code, client credentials, on-behalf-of)
- Master managed identities—know how to enable, assign roles, and use in code
- Practice creating and using SAS tokens with different permissions and expiration times
- Understand RBAC roles vs Azure AD application roles vs custom roles
Monitoring and Troubleshooting Skills
- Learn basic KQL (Kusto Query Language) for querying Application Insights and Log Analytics
- Practice interpreting performance metrics and identifying bottlenecks
- Understand how to use Application Insights for distributed tracing
- Know how to configure alerts based on metrics and log queries
- Practice troubleshooting common issues like connection problems, authentication failures, and performance degradation
Practice Exam Strategy
- Take at least 3 full-length practice exams under timed conditions before the actual exam
- Review all incorrect answers thoroughly—understand why you got them wrong
- For scenario-based questions, eliminate obviously wrong answers first
- Watch for keywords like 'most cost-effective', 'least administrative effort', 'highest security'
- Practice time management—you have about 1.5-2.5 minutes per question
- Flag questions you're unsure about and review them if time permits
Create Reference Materials
- Build a quick reference sheet with common PowerShell/CLI commands
- Create flashcards for SDK classes, methods, and their purposes
- Document common configuration patterns and connection string formats
- Maintain a decision tree for choosing between similar services
- Compile a list of common error messages and their solutions from your practice
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early (for test center) or start system check 30 minutes early (for online proctoring)
- 2Have valid government-issued ID ready for verification
- 3Read each question carefully—Microsoft exams often include unnecessary information to test your focus
- 4For case study questions, read the requirements first before reading the entire scenario
- 5Use the mark for review feature liberally—don't get stuck on difficult questions
- 6Pay attention to keywords like 'minimize costs', 'minimize complexity', 'most secure', 'least privilege'
- 7For code-based questions, trace through the code mentally or on scratch paper if provided
- 8Remember that some questions may have multiple partially correct answers—choose the BEST answer
- 9Manage your time: aim to complete the first pass through all questions with 20-30 minutes remaining for review
- 10If you encounter a performance-based lab, read all tasks before starting implementation
- 11Don't panic if you see unfamiliar topics—some questions may be unscored pilot questions
- 12Trust your preparation—your first instinct is usually correct, avoid changing answers unless you're certain
- 13For online proctored exams, ensure your workspace is clear and you have stable internet connection
- 14Take a deep breath between sections if you feel stressed—staying calm improves decision-making
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
Microsoft Azure Developer Associate 2025 Study Guide FAQs
az 204 study guide is a professional certification from Microsoft Azure that validates expertise in microsoft azure developer associate technologies and concepts. The official exam code is AZ-204.
The az 204 study guide Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 az 204 study guide study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the AZ-204 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources