How I passed AZ-204
Tags: azure, certification, cloud, az204
Published: 2020-08-04 13:32:45

## Motivation
I recently passed AZ-204 certification. So, I think some of my suggestions/tips/guidelines may help the others who are pursuing this certificate. You can check my [certificate details here](https://www.youracclaim.com/badges/4c4791fb-4331-41b2-a62e-0210d61c62c3/) 😎

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/t2mqtrcfhny7q0ddzxcc.PNG)

## Bit about me
I am a backend developer. I mainly work on C# and JavaScript (Node), sometimes on React. So, using Azure is a natural choice for C# developers like us, at least psychologically. 
I have been working in professional industry for more than a decade. In last couple of years, for different purposes, I had to explore a lot of features in Azure, some of those features were amazing. I believe, my dev profile is similar with a lot of people. I was quite confident that I can get the AZ-204 certification, but don't know how to start, where to start. 

Working in a technology, and getting the certification is different. When we work, we have to concentrate on few areas to make our work done. But to get the certificate, we need to know far more about that tech. So, the right question is,

> How do I know WHAT I DON'T KNOW? 

## Syllabus 
If you don't know, below are the syllabus on which the exam will occur.

[Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate – Skills
Measured](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-developer)

Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
Skills Measured
- Develop Azure compute solutions (25-30%)
- Develop for Azure storage (10-15%)
- Implement Azure security (15-20%)
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (10-15%)
- Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (25-30%)

# Practice Free on Azure (ya, its true 😍)
You can follow the official practice guide here [Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-developer). In short, you just go to appropriate module (e.g. [Create serverless logic with Azure Functions](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/create-serverless-logic-with-azure-functions/3-create-an-azure-functions-app-in-the-azure-portal?pivots=javascript)) and activate sandbox shown below. 

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/sp2qcu1mto4lxs3j6wpx.PNG)

I am sorry for embedding Non-English video, but I hope you can follow through what is shown here.  
{% youtube pZlBYrcZVVI %}


# My Journey (in brief)

#### Pluralsight (Free, ya 😎)
I started with Pluralsight's AZ-203 path (they didn't update the path for AZ-204 as of 1st August 2020). Thanks to [Microsoft](https://www.pluralsight.com/partners/microsoft/azure), you can access the whole Azure resources for free. 
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/98dcrwy36w5gfs5ddjvy.PNG)

[Link of AZ-203](https://app.pluralsight.com/paths/certificate/developing-solutions-for-microsoft-azure-az-203)

![Link of AZ-203](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/g0kc0nwd2e3eq0018lgj.PNG)

But if you are like me, then you wouldn't have the patience to complete each of the courses. So, instead of continuing the videos, I started to test myself. I started with the [RoleIQ](https://app.pluralsight.com/roleiq/roles/9bb6d491-d1a8-4f76-be35-f453851c268d)  

![RoleIQ](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/ewio9cxv8yg8v46k14ir.PNG)

Below are the exams/tests I checked.

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/438zysxkmvoef07vqvgb.PNG)

#### WhizLabs (~$16)
So, after getting the good marks in Pluralsight, I become confident. I googled and found some tests from [WhizLabs](https://www.whizlabs.com/microsoft-azure-certification-az-204/). I found their practice tests quality are OK, and I subscribed instantly. 

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/8ihr83xdz3m2k81agewq.PNG)

After each of the test in WhizLabs, I found my unknown areas and studied harder (Google, Pluralsight, YouTube etc.) to cover up the areas. For example, CosmosDB consistency and Integration with Service bus with Event Grid were giving me a lot of trouble. So, I focused on these two and cleared all of my confusions. 

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/x25lp4ivr1mzs8b570fx.PNG)

I am sharing my result with you to give you confidence. Check the last exam, it was the same date of my actual Azure exam. 😂 If I can pass after getting these marks, then you should also be able to pass the exam without any problem. 


# My special suggestions
This exam is MCQ, but the questions are scenario based, and we need to fill the blanks for most of the questions. 

So,
1. Commands and Portal
Try to get familiarity with Azure CLI and PowerShell commands. You don't have to memorize everything, but a good understanding what is happening in the command is needed. Otherwise you will become confused. For example, if I want to host an app near Australia which will have the auto-scale feature, then what will be the Azure CLI command/commands? If you don't know the specific parameters that command needs, you would be confused among the choices. 

2. Code as much as possible
Try to code at least a little on each of the possible topics. Some of the questions will show similar class types in MCQ. If you didn't write the code, then you will become confused easily. For example, `IDatabase` or `IConnection` which is needed to create a Azure Redis connection object? (I won't say the answer :P) 

3. CosmosDB
Try to go deep as possible on CosmosDB, specially the consistency levels, why and how should you use those. For example, based on a scenario, you will be asked to chose the best possible consistency level you want to use. If you don't have enough clarity, the options become confusing. Coming from RDBMS domain, I was super confused regarding the consistency levels in practice tests. Remember, it it one of the biggest money maker of Azure, so you would expect some questions on this. 

4. Messaging service
Try to get a crystal clear picture between Azure Messaging Services. Which is what, why they are used, how they are being used, in which case you choose which. More of that, how are they solving a problem when they are being used as combined. For example, integration between Event Grid, Service Bus and Azure Function is a must to know topics. 

### The Exam
Register for the certification exam [from Pearson VUE](https://examregistration.microsoft.com/?locale=en-us&examcode=AZ-204&examname=Exam%20AZ-204:%20Developing%20Solutions%20for%20Microsoft%20Azure&returnToLearningUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.microsoft.com%2Flearn%2Fcertifications%2Fexams%2Faz-204)
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/lndovn9bmr6ckyk1rfno.PNG)

Don't worry about how the exam will happened. Try a search on "[Proctored exam online](https://www.google.com/search?q=proctored+exam+online&oq=proctored+exam+online&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60l2j0l4.3255j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8)" to get familiarity if you are a first timer. The actual human proctors were reasonable and helped me to position myself according to the regulation. I didn't have to worry about that. Once the exam started, I focused on the exam and forgot everything else. 🙂

## Conclusion
That's it. I will update this post if I feel something I didn't cover. Feel free to post comment or send me message if you have any confusions. Thank you for reading my post. 🙂

![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/fuhwiay2296if8yzwmtd.PNG)