AZ-204 Study Plan Checklist (8 Weeks)

Goal: Pass the AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure exam
Duration: 8 weeks (~10–15 hrs/week)
Track progress: Check off tasks as completed
GitHub Tip: Save this file as AZ-204-Study-Plan.md in your repo and use GitHub Issues or Projects to track weekly milestones.

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Resources Setup

• Create a free Azure account (with $200 credit)
• Bookmark Microsoft Learn AZ-204 Path
• Install Azure CLI, Visual Studio Code, .NET SDK, Azure Storage Explorer
• Join r/AZURE on Reddit & Microsoft Q&A
• (Optional) Purchase Exam Ref AZ-204 book or Udemy/Whizlabs practice tests

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Week 1: Foundations & Compute (Part 1)

Azure Basics

• Complete: Introduction to Azure for developers (Microsoft Learn)
• Navigate Azure Portal: Resource Groups, Subscriptions, Tags

Containers

• Module: Deploy and manage containers in Azure
• Lab: Build Docker image locally
• Lab: Push image to Azure Container Registry (ACR)
• Lab: Deploy to Azure Container Instances (ACI)
• Lab: Deploy to Azure Container Apps (ACA)

App Service (Intro)

• Module: Host a web app with Azure App Service
• Lab: Deploy sample .NET/Node.js app to Web App
• Enable diagnostic logs

Review

• Take Week 1 Quiz (Microsoft Learn)
• Note weak areas in WEEK1_NOTES.md

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Week 2: Compute (Part 2) – App Service & Functions

App Service (Advanced)

• Configure deployment slots (staging → production swap)
• Set up autoscaling rules
• Configure custom domains & TLS
• Lab: Deploy container to Web App for Containers

Azure Functions

• Module: Create serverless logic with Azure Functions
• Lab: Create HTTP-triggered function
• Lab: Create Timer-triggered function
• Implement input/output bindings (Blob, Cosmos DB)
• Deploy Functions via VS Code extension

Review

• Compare: ACI vs ACA vs App Service vs Functions
• Hands-on: Call Function from Web App
• Take Compute Section Quiz
• Update WEEK2_NOTES.md

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Week 3: Azure Storage

Azure Cosmos DB

• Module: Work with Azure Cosmos DB
• Understand partitioning & consistency levels
• Lab: Create Cosmos DB account (SQL API)
• Lab: CRUD operations via .NET/Python SDK
• Lab: Implement Change Feed

Blob Storage

• Module: Store data in Azure
• Lab: Upload/download blobs via SDK
• Configure lifecycle management policy
• Set access tiers (Hot/Cool/Archive)
• Generate SAS token

Review

• Project: App that saves user data to Cosmos DB + files to Blob
• Take Storage Quiz
• Update WEEK3_NOTES.md

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Week 4: Azure Security

Authentication & Authorization

• Module: Secure your cloud applications in Azure
• Register app in Microsoft Entra ID
• Implement OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect
• Lab: Authenticate Function with Entra ID
• Use Microsoft Graph to read user profile

Secrets Management

• Create Azure Key Vault
• Store secret, key, certificate
• Lab: Access secret from Function using Managed Identity
• Generate SAS for Blob with limited permissions

Review

• Understand least privilege & RBAC
• Take Security Quiz
• Update WEEK4_NOTES.md

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Week 5: Monitor, Troubleshoot & Optimize

Application Insights

• Module: Monitor Azure resources with Azure Monitor
• Instrument app with Application Insights SDK
• View live metrics, logs, traces
• Set up availability web test
• Create alert rule (e.g., CPU > 80%)

Troubleshooting

• Debug cold start in Functions
• Analyze failed requests in App Service
• Use Kudu (App Service debug console)

Review

• Retake quizzes from Weeks 1–4
• Update WEEK5_NOTES.md

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Week 6: Integration (Part 1) – API Management & Events

API Management (APIM)

• Module: Publish APIs with Azure API Management
• Create APIM instance
• Import OpenAPI spec
• Add rate limiting & JWT validation policy
• Test via Developer Portal

Event Grid & Event Hubs

• Module: Implement event-based cloud solutions
• Create Event Grid topic
• Set up WebHook subscription
• Lab: Trigger Function from Event Grid
• Intro to Event Hubs (capture & replay)

Review

• Build: Blob upload → Event Grid → Function
• Take APIM & Events Quiz
• Update WEEK6_NOTES.md

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Week 7: Integration (Part 2) – Messaging

Service Bus & Queue Storage

• Module: Implement message-based solutions
• Create Service Bus namespace
• Send/receive messages (queues & topics)
• Implement sessions & duplicate detection
• Lab: Process messages with Functions
• Compare: Service Bus vs Queue Storage vs Event Grid

End-to-End Project

• Build:
  Web App → API Management → Function → Service Bus → Storage → Cosmos DB
  (with auth, logging, monitoring)

Review

• Take Integration Section Quiz
• Update WEEK7_NOTES.md

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Week 8: Final Review & Exam Prep

Full Review

• Revisit all weak areas from notes
• Review skills measured (official exam page)
• Memorize key CLI/PowerShell commands

Practice Exams

• Take Microsoft Official Practice Test
• Take 1–2 third-party timed exams (aim for 80%+)
• Review every wrong answer in detail

Final Prep

• Practice interactive lab scenarios
• Create flashcards: consistency levels, bindings, auth flows
• Rest well the day before

Exam Day

• Schedule exam via Pearson VUE
• Bring ID, arrive early
• You’ve got this!

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Post-Exam

• Celebrate! 🎉
• Share your success on LinkedIn / Twitter
• Plan renewal (free annual assessment on Microsoft Learn)