Azure Mastery Exam AZ-204 Download
Azure Mastery

Microsoft Certification AZ-204

AZ-204: Predict your score. Know what to study next.

See your predicted score, follow a study plan based on your answers, and revisit topics you're starting to forget. It all runs on your device.

405 practice questions AI score prediction 100% offline
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AZ-204 Retired Exam Practice & Next Steps — Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

AZ-204 (Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure) hasn't been bookable since Microsoft retired it on 31 July 2026, but Azure Mastery still runs the full bank on iPhone and iPad as a revision tool: readiness scoring across all five developer domains, a nudge toward your weakest area, and alerts when SDK topics start fading from memory. Starting fresh? Go to AI-200, Microsoft's current AI cloud developer route, instead. Every retired Microsoft exam and its successor are on the retired exams hub.

The exam

What is the AZ-204 exam?

AZ-204 is the single exam required to earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate credential — Microsoft's senior professional certification for application developers building on Azure. It sits at the Associate tier alongside AZ-104 (administrators), separate from but complementary to it: AZ-104 tests how you configure Azure, AZ-204 tests how you code against Azure.

AZ-204 is hands-on. Expect questions showing you a snippet of C#, Python, or JavaScript using the Azure SDK and asking what it does — Cosmos DB SDK calls, Azure Functions binding declarations, Service Bus message receivers, Key Vault retrievals via Managed Identity. The exam emphasises practical application development across compute (Containers, App Service, Functions), storage (Cosmos DB, Blob), security (Microsoft Identity, Key Vault, Managed Identity), monitoring (Application Insights), and integration (API Management, Event Grid, Event Hubs, Service Bus, Microsoft Graph).

Microsoft retired AZ-204 on 31 July 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. It lists AI-200 courseware as the replacement — the current AI cloud developer route — though AI-200 earns its own credential rather than extending Azure Developer Associate. New candidates can't earn that credential any more, but anyone who already holds it keeps it. The final skills outline (last updated 14 January 2026) stays up for reference at learn.microsoft.com.

Skills measured · January 2026

AZ-204 exam objectives

Five developer-focused domains, weighted by Microsoft's January 2026 update — the last outline AZ-204 ever ran on. Every domain summary below is paraphrased from the official skills outline. Bullet-level objectives in Azure Mastery are tagged so you always know which domain you're being tested on.

Aura presents a visual map of identity, compute, networking, and Azure operations skills.
Azure skill map

Develop Azure compute solutions25–30%

Explore key topics

The largest domain. Containerised solutions — creating and managing container images, publishing to Azure Container Registry (ACR), running containers via Azure Container Instances (ACI) and Azure Container Apps (ACA). Azure App Service Web Apps — provisioning, diagnostics and logging, deploying code/containers, configuring TLS and API settings, autoscaling, and deployment slots. Azure Functions — function apps, input/output bindings, triggers from data ops, timers, and webhooks. Around 10–18 questions per sitting.

Develop for Azure storage15–20%

Explore key topics

Develop solutions that use Azure Cosmos DB — perform operations on containers and items via the SDK, set the appropriate consistency level for operations, implement change feed notifications. Develop solutions that use Azure Blob Storage — set and retrieve properties and metadata, perform data operations via the appropriate SDK, implement storage policies and data lifecycle management. Heavy on SDK code samples — expect to read C# / Python / JavaScript snippets. Around 6–12 questions.

Implement Azure security15–20%

Explore key topics

User authentication and authorisation via the Microsoft Identity platform and Microsoft Entra ID, plus shared access signatures. Secure app configuration with Azure App Configuration or Azure Key Vault. Develop code that uses keys, secrets, and certificates stored in Key Vault — including Managed Identities for Azure resources to avoid storing credentials in code. Around 6–12 questions.

Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions5–10%

Explore key topics

The smallest domain — but easy marks if you know it. Monitor and troubleshoot solutions using Azure Monitor Application Insights — metrics, logs, traces, availability tests, alerts, and instrumenting an app or service to use Application Insights. Around 2–6 questions.

Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services20–25%

Explore key topics

Implement Azure API Management — create instances, document APIs, configure access, implement policies. Develop event-based solutions using Azure Event Grid and Event Hubs. Develop message-based solutions using Azure Service Bus and Queue Storage. Implement solutions that interact with Microsoft Graph. Around 8–15 questions.

Designed for AZ-204

How Azure Mastery helps you pass AZ-204

Exam-specific practice

  • 405 AZ-204 practice questions aligned to the published skills outline.
  • Coverage follows the current (January 2026) skills outline — the final outline before the 31 July 2026 retirement.
  • Practise decisions from the exam outline with scenarios and interactive questions.

Predicted score

  • Exam IQ predicts your AZ-204 score on-device after roughly 30 questions.
  • A confidence range shows how stable the prediction is.
  • See which exam objectives need the most work.

Adaptive study plan

  • Your study plan updates as you answer questions.
  • Missed topics return sooner; consistently mastered topics appear less often.
  • Sessions focus on the gaps most likely to help you reach the 700 pass score.

Knowledge decay

  • Track which topics you're starting to forget.
  • Get reminders to revisit those topics before exam day.
  • Weak-spot sessions bring fading topics back into practice.

Exam rehearsal

  • Practise staying focused through a full 100-minute session.
  • Original questions follow the published domain weighting.
  • Microsoft controls the live interface and exact question mix.

Answer Coach

  • Every answer has a written explanation, with reasons for individual options where available.
  • See why you missed an answer, how the options differ, and what to remember.
  • On supported devices, optional AI can reword notes while checking them against the written explanations.

Aura guidance

  • Aura suggests what to do after each session.
  • Recaps show your progress and which topics to practise next.

Private by design

  • Practice, scoring, readiness, and coaching run on-device.
  • You don't need an Azure Mastery account or a server to process your study data.
  • Optional sync uses your private iCloud account.

5-week study plan

Suggested AZ-204 study plan

Use these five weeks of study blocks for reference to the retained AZ-204 content. Review the retirement notice and available certification routes before choosing an exam.

  1. Containers

    • Build container images.
    • Compare ACR, ACI and Container Apps.
    • Practise docker build and az acr build.

  2. App Service

    • Configure TLS and app settings.
    • Review autoscaling rules.
    • Practise deployment slots and swap with preview.

  3. Azure Functions

    • Create function apps.
    • Compare HTTP, timer, storage and Service Bus triggers.
    • Write functions with input and output bindings.

  4. Cosmos DB development

    • Practise SDK operations on containers and items.
    • Compare consistency levels.
    • Explore the change feed.

  5. Blob Storage development

    • Use the SDK for properties and metadata.
    • Configure lifecycle policies.
    • Review versioning and soft delete.

  6. Identity and configuration

    • Review Microsoft Entra authentication and SAS tokens.
    • Compare App Configuration with Key Vault.
    • Distinguish system-assigned and user-assigned managed identities.

  7. Application Insights

    • Instrument an application.
    • Collect custom metrics, logs and traces.
    • Review availability tests and alerts.

  8. API Management

    • Configure instances and products.
    • Practise rate-limit, transformation and caching policies.
    • Review API versioning.

  9. Events and messages

    • Compare Event Grid and Event Hubs.
    • Review Service Bus queues, topics and Queue Storage.
    • Explore Microsoft Graph SDK integration.

  10. Target weaker topics

    • Use Focus Weak Spots for SDK scenarios.
    • Revisit code questions you missed.
    • Return to older topics flagged for review.

  11. Historical rehearsal

    • Complete two 100-minute simulator sessions, spaced apart.
    • Review explanations after each run.
    • Identify SDK calls you confused.

  12. Consolidate learning

    • Complete another historical simulator session.
    • Compare mistakes across your practice runs.
    • Revisit the concepts behind repeated errors.

  13. Review your next route

    • Keep revision light.
    • Review the retirement notice and available routes.
    • Choose further study before making exam plans.

Inside the app

Nine interactive practice formats, on iPhone

Azure Mastery has nine interactive formats for exam practice. The examples below show original AZ-204 practice questions in Azure Mastery on iPhone and iPad. The exam simulator uses timed sessions with the published domain weights. Microsoft's live interface and question mix may differ.

What is the maximum size of a single message in Azure Queue Storage?

  • 1 MB
  • 4 MB
  • 256 KB
  • 64 KB

Multiple choice

An original AZ-204 practice question with one correct answer. The app explains every option after you answer.

Exam-specific sample

Which TWO of the following are restart policy options for Azure Container Instances? Select two.

  • Manual
  • OnCrash
  • Never
  • Always
  • Scheduled

Multi-select

An original AZ-204 multi-select question. Select all the correct options to earn the mark.

All-or-nothing

Drag-and-drop

An original AZ-204 ordering question you can answer by touch on iPhone and iPad.

Interactive item

Hotspot

An original AZ-204 question with a visual prompt, designed for touch on iPhone and iPad.

Tap target

Case studies

An original AZ-204 case study with several questions about the same requirements and environment.

Multi-question

Answer Coach

Answer Coach explains why the answer is correct and, where available, why each option is right or wrong. It helps you understand a mistake and remember the distinction. Read explanations after each question or at the end of a practice test. On supported devices, optional AI can reword a note on your device after checking it against the written guidance.

App exclusive

Frequently asked

AZ-204 FAQs

When did AZ-204 retire?

Microsoft retired AZ-204 on 31 July 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time, and Pearson VUE stopped booking it from that moment. Microsoft lists AI-200 courseware as the replacement, but it's a different credential rather than an extension of Azure Developer Associate. If you already hold Azure Developer Associate, it's unaffected.

How much does the AZ-204 exam cost?

The AZ-204 voucher was USD $165 in the United States, with regional pricing — though that's now academic, since the exam retired on 31 July 2026. Study AI-200 instead; it's Microsoft's current AI cloud developer route.

Does the AZ-204 certification expire?

The AZ-204 exam and Azure Developer Associate certification retired on 31 July 2026. Microsoft states that renewal assessments are no longer available after a certification retires. Already-earned credentials remain on your transcript, subject to their existing expiration date.

What is the AZ-204 retake policy if I fail?

The first retake is allowed after 24 hours. Second and third retakes each require a 14-day wait. Microsoft caps retakes at five attempts per 12-month rolling period. Each attempt requires a new voucher purchase.

How long should I study for AZ-204?

Most candidates pass AZ-204 after four to six weeks of focused study, assuming professional .NET, Python, or Node experience. If you're new to writing against Azure SDKs (Cosmos DB, Blob, Service Bus, Functions bindings), plan eight to ten weeks. Azure Mastery's readiness gauge tells you when you're at exam-ready; don't book until it shows roughly 720 or higher with reasonable confidence.

AZ-204 vs AZ-104 — which should I take first?

Take whichever matches your day job. AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) is for sysadmins and platform engineers; AZ-204 was for application developers. They cover overlapping infrastructure (App Service, Functions, Storage, Key Vault) but from different angles — AZ-104 asks "how do I configure X in the portal"; AZ-204 asked "how do I call X from the C# / Python SDK". Since AZ-204 is now closed, new candidates should start with AZ-104 or go straight to AI-200 for the current developer route.

Is Azure Mastery free for AZ-204 prep?

The app is free to download and includes a free allowance of AZ-204 questions so you can try every feature. The full bank of 405 AZ-204 practice questions unlocks with a one-time exam-pack purchase, or you can unlock every exam in the catalogue with a subscription or a one-time lifetime upgrade.

Does AZ-204 practice work offline?

Yes. Question practice, scoring, and the readiness prediction all run on-device, so you can study on a flight or a commute with no connection. No account is required, and your study data stays on your device with optional private iCloud sync.

Is there an AZ-204 practice test mode?

Yes — timed practice sessions use original, blueprint-aligned questions, published timing guidance, and supported interactive item types. Adaptive study sessions and Focus Weak Spots then target the domains where your accuracy is lowest.

Free study guides

Free guides that pair with AZ-204

Where AZ-204 fits

Certification paths that include AZ-204

AZ-204 unlocks the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate credential as a terminal Associate cert, and counts as one of the two Associate-level prerequisites for the Expert-tier AZ-400 (DevOps Engineer Expert) credential. Tap any other exam to see its dedicated study app page.

Ready to pass AZ-204?

Download Azure Mastery free. 405 AZ-204 practice questions across all five developer domains, AI score prediction, full-length exam simulator, adaptive study plan. iPhone & iPad.

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