{"id":82416,"date":"2022-06-09T02:09:41","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T07:39:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/?p=82416"},"modified":"2026-06-15T09:53:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T04:23:02","slug":"how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"How to prepare for the AZ-700 exam?"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-82416-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Passing_AZ-700_with_Labs_and_Routing.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Passing_AZ-700_with_Labs_and_Routing.mp3\">https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Passing_AZ-700_with_Labs_and_Routing.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>Here is something that happens to almost every AZ-700 candidate.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You study for weeks. You watch videos. You read through Microsoft docs. You take notes on every Azure networking service you can find. You feel ready.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then you open your first practice test.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And the questions feel nothing like what you studied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know what Azure VPN Gateway is. You know what ExpressRoute does. But the exam is not asking you to explain these things. It is giving you a real-world business problem and asking you to solve it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is the shift most candidates miss. And once you understand it, your entire approach to AZ-700 exam preparation changes completely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This guide covers everything you need\u00a0 the full AZ-700 syllabus, the exam pattern, exam difficulty, skills measured, a step-by-step preparation roadmap, the service comparisons the exam loves to test, common mistakes to avoid, career outcomes, and practical AZ-700 exam tips that will actually help you on test day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&#8217;s walk through it together.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #ea7e02;color:#ea7e02\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #ea7e02;color:#ea7e02\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Is_the_AZ-700_Exam_Right_for_You\" >Is the AZ-700 Exam Right for You?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#What_Should_You_Know_Before_You_Start\" >What Should You Know Before You Start?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#What_Is_the_AZ-700_Exam_Format_and_Passing_Score\" >What Is the AZ-700 Exam Format and Passing Score?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#What_Skills_Does_the_AZ-700_Exam_Actually_Test\" >What Skills Does the AZ-700 Exam Actually Test?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#How_Difficult_Is_the_AZ-700_Exam\" >How Difficult Is the AZ-700 Exam?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#The_AZ-700_Syllabus_What_Deserves_Most_of_Your_Study_Time\" >The AZ-700 Syllabus: What Deserves Most of Your Study Time?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#The_Service_Comparisons_You_Must_Know\" >The Service Comparisons You Must Know<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#ExpressRoute_vs_VPN_Gateway\" >ExpressRoute vs VPN Gateway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#NSG_vs_Azure_Firewall\" >NSG vs Azure Firewall<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Azure_Load_Balancer_vs_Application_Gateway\" >Azure Load Balancer vs Application Gateway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Service_Endpoint_vs_Private_Endpoint\" >Service Endpoint vs Private Endpoint<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#How_Should_You_Prepare_for_the_AZ-700_Exam\" >How Should You Prepare for the AZ-700 Exam?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Step_1_Lock_Down_Your_Networking_Basics_First\" >Step 1: Lock Down Your Networking Basics First<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Step_2_Follow_a_Structured_AZ-700_Course\" >Step 2: Follow a Structured AZ-700 Course<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Step_3_Spend_Serious_Time_in_Labs\" >Step 3: Spend Serious Time in Labs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Step_4_Use_Practice_Tests_to_Find_Your_Weak_Spots\" >Step 4: Use Practice Tests to Find Your Weak Spots<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#A_Practical_4-Week_AZ-700_Study_Plan\" >A Practical 4-Week AZ-700 Study Plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Mistakes_That_Will_Cost_You_on_Exam_Day\" >Mistakes That Will Cost You on Exam Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Exam_Tips_That_Actually_Help\" >Exam Tips That Actually Help<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#What_Can_You_Do_After_Passing_AZ-700\" >What Can You Do After Passing AZ-700?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Job_Roles_Available_After_AZ-700\" >Job Roles Available After AZ-700<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Why_AZ-700_Certification_Helps_Your_Career\" >Why AZ-700 Certification Helps Your Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Key_Takeaways_for_Your_AZ-700_Preparation\" >Key Takeaways for Your AZ-700 Preparation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-for-the-az-700-exam\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_AZ-700_Exam_Right_for_You\"><\/span><b>Is the AZ-700 Exam Right for You?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you invest weeks of preparation, it is worth making sure the <a title=\"AZ-700 certification\" href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/credentials\/certifications\/azure-network-engineer-associate\/?practice-assessment-type=certification\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AZ-700 certification<\/strong> <\/a>is the right fit for where you are right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This exam is built for professionals who are responsible for networking in Azure environments. If you are a Network Engineer, Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Solution Architect, or Security Engineer, this one is squarely aimed at you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you currently work with traditional on-premises networks and want to move into cloud networking, AZ-700 is one of the most direct paths you can take. It bridges exactly the gap between traditional networking knowledge and what Azure environments actually demand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is the key thing to keep in mind: the Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate exam is not just about knowing Azure tools. It is about using them correctly in real situations. Knowing how BGP works is a starting point. Knowing how BGP behaves inside an ExpressRoute deployment is what the exam actually tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Should_You_Know_Before_You_Start\"><\/span><b>What Should You Know Before You Start?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no hard rules about what you need before taking the AZ-700 exam. But Microsoft recommends you come in with knowledge in these areas:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic networking concepts like DNS, routing, firewalls, VPN, subnetting, and load balancing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A basic understanding of Azure services like virtual machines and storage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some experience with Azure networking tools like Virtual Networks, VPN Gateway, and ExpressRoute<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If networking basics feel unclear right now, take time to learn them first. Jumping into Azure networking without this foundation is like trying to build a house without a base; it will slow you down more than you expect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are completely new to Azure, starting with AZ-900 or AZ-104 is a smart move. Neither is required, but both give you a foundation that makes AZ-700 significantly more approachable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_the_AZ-700_Exam_Format_and_Passing_Score\"><\/span><b>What Is the AZ-700 Exam Format and Passing Score?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you build a study plan, you need to understand what you are preparing for.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the key details:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Exam Detail<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Information<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exam Code<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AZ-700<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certification<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time Allowed<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 120 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passing Score<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">700 out of 1000<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Question Types<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple choice, case studies, scenario-based<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Take It<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online proctored or at a test centre<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Level<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermediate to advanced<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing to understand is the question type.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This exam does not ask you to memorise definitions. It gives you a situation with a company with a specific problem\u00a0 and asks you to choose the best solution. You might see something like:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>&#8220;A company needs a secure, fast, private connection between their office and Azure. What should they use?&#8221;<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That kind of question needs you to think, not just remember. That is exactly why so many people find the AZ-700 exam difficulty higher than they expected going in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Skills_Does_the_AZ-700_Exam_Actually_Test\"><\/span><b>What Skills Does the AZ-700 Exam Actually Test?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-101275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test.webp\" alt=\"What Skills Does the AZ-700 Exam Actually Test\" width=\"1615\" height=\"1499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test.webp 1615w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test-300x278.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test-1024x950.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test-768x713.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test-1536x1426.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/What-Skills-Does-the-AZ-700-Exam-Actually-Test-150x139.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1615px) 100vw, 1615px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start studying, you need to know exactly what Microsoft expects you to demonstrate. These are the official AZ-700 exam objectives based on the latest Microsoft blueprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exam measures your ability across five core skill areas:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Design, implement, and manage hybrid networking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 This includes planning and deploying Site-to-Site VPN, Point-to-Site VPN, Azure VPN Gateway, and ExpressRoute connections. You are expected to understand when each solution is appropriate and how to configure them correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Design and implement core networking infrastructure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 This covers building and managing Azure Virtual Networks, configuring IP addressing, setting up Azure DNS, implementing VNet peering, and working with Azure Virtual WAN at scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Design and implement routing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 This is the most heavily tested skill area. It includes configuring User-Defined Routes, deploying Azure Route Server, setting up NAT Gateway, and understanding how Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway route traffic across your environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Secure and monitor networks<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 This measures your ability to implement Azure Firewall, configure Network Security Groups, deploy Web Application Firewall, use Azure Monitor for network insights, and troubleshoot issues using Network Watcher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Design and implement private access to Azure services<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 This covers deploying Private Endpoints, configuring Service Endpoints, implementing Azure Private Link, and integrating services into your VNet securely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding these AZ-700 domains tells you exactly where to focus your energy. The skills measured section is also the clearest indicator of what kinds of scenario questions you will face on exam day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Difficult_Is_the_AZ-700_Exam\"><\/span><b>How Difficult Is the AZ-700 Exam?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-101271\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam.webp\" alt=\"How Difficult Is the AZ-700 Exam\" width=\"1945\" height=\"1695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam.webp 1945w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam-300x261.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam-1024x892.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam-768x669.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam-1536x1339.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/How-Difficult-Is-the-AZ-700-Exam-150x131.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1945px) 100vw, 1945px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the most common questions candidates ask before they register. Here is an honest answer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The AZ-700 exam is moderately to highly difficult.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It is not the hardest Microsoft certification exam, but it consistently challenges candidates who underestimate its depth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is what makes AZ-700 hard:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>It tests decision-making, not recall.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most questions put you inside a business scenario with specific constraints\u00a0 cost, performance, security, compliance\u00a0 and ask you to choose the right solution. If you have only memorised what services do, you will struggle with these questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The routing domain is genuinely complex.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> User-Defined Routes, Azure Route Server, and multi-hop traffic scenarios involve a lot of moving parts. Many candidates who feel confident elsewhere lose significant marks here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Service comparisons trip people up.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Knowing the difference between a Private Endpoint and a Service Endpoint in theory is one thing. Choosing the right one under exam conditions, when both seem like valid answers, is something different.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>However, AZ-700 is very passable with the right preparation.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Candidates with a solid networking background and hands-on Azure experience consistently find the exam manageable. The difficulty is not in the complexity of the concepts, it is in being asked to apply them under real-world conditions rather than just describe them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most candidates who prepare for 4 to 8 weeks, complete serious lab work, and practise scenario-based questions pass on their first attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>&#8220;The AZ-700 exam is not about how much you know. It is about how well you can apply what you know to solve a real networking problem.&#8221;<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_AZ-700_Syllabus_What_Deserves_Most_of_Your_Study_Time\"><\/span><b>The AZ-700 Syllabus: What Deserves Most of Your Study Time?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AZ-700 syllabus covers five sections. Knowing how much each one counts helps you study smarter, not just harder.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Design, Implement, and Manage Hybrid Networking (10\u201315%)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This section is about connecting Azure to the outside world\u00a0 Site-to-Site VPN, Point-to-Site VPN, Azure VPN Gateway, and ExpressRoute.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most candidates learn what each tool does and stop there. That is not enough. What the exam really wants to know is whether you can decide between them when given a real-world scenario.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your study focuses here:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Stop memorising features and start thinking about trade-offs. When does ExpressRoute justify its cost over a Site-to-Site VPN? When is Point-to-Site the better call? Build your notes around decisions, not definitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Design and Implement Core Networking Infrastructure (20\u201325%)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the base that everything else sits on. It covers Azure Virtual Networks, IP addressing, Azure DNS, VNet peering, and Azure Virtual WAN. If your understanding of these Azure virtual network concepts is shaky, you will feel it across every other section.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your study focus here:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Get into a lab and build. Create multiple VNets, configure peering between them, test name resolution, break things and fix them. Reading about VNet peering is useful. Actually configuring it is what makes it stick.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Design and Implement Routing (25\u201330%)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the biggest section on the exam and the one where most people lose the most marks. It covers Azure Route Server, User-Defined Routes, NAT Gateway, Azure Load Balancer, and Application Gateway.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routing is not always intuitive, and Microsoft loves to test it through complex, multi-step scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your study focuses here:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Draw diagrams showing how network traffic moves. For every routing scenario you study, trace exactly where packets go at each hop. This one habit changes how you approach routing questions completely.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Secure and Monitor Networks (15\u201320%)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This section covers Azure Firewall, Network Security Groups (NSGs), Web Application Firewall (WAF), Azure Monitor, and Network Watcher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mistake most people make is studying each tool on its own as if they are separate products. They are not. The exam tests how they work together as one layered security system. Knowing what Azure Firewall does is not the same as knowing when to use it instead of, or alongside, an NSG.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your study focus here:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Build combined scenarios. Layer NSGs with Azure Firewall. Add WAF to the mix. Understand when each layer adds value and when it becomes redundant.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b>Design and Implement Private Access to Azure Services (10\u201315%)<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This section covers Private Endpoints, Service Endpoints, Azure Private Link, and VNet Integration. These tools all solve similar connectivity problems through different mechanisms, and many candidates mix them up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Your study focus here:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Set up a Private Endpoint in a lab. Then set up a Service Endpoint. Compare how they behave differently. Seeing them in action side by side makes the difference very clear.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Service_Comparisons_You_Must_Know\"><\/span><b>The Service Comparisons You Must Know<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-101273\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know.webp\" alt=\"The Service Comparisons You Must Know\" width=\"1945\" height=\"1490\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know.webp 1945w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know-300x230.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know-1024x784.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know-768x588.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know-1536x1177.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/The-Service-Comparisons-You-Must-Know-150x115.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1945px) 100vw, 1945px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is one thing you should know about the AZ-700 exam, it is this: Microsoft loves giving you two services that could both work and asking you to pick the right one. Mastering these comparisons is one of the best things you can do during your preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ExpressRoute_vs_VPN_Gateway\"><\/span><b>ExpressRoute vs VPN Gateway<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Express Route<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>VPN Gateway<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connection Type<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private, dedicated line<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Goes through the internet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More expensive<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less expensive<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speed and Reliability<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast and stable<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can vary<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Max Bandwidth<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 100 Gbps<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 10 Gbps<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time to Set Up<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several weeks<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best For<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large companies with strict requirements<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Small businesses and remote offices<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NSG_vs_Azure_Firewall\"><\/span><b>NSG vs Azure Firewall<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>NSG<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Azure Firewall<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Works At<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network level (Layer 4)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network and app level (Layer 4 and 7)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Threat Detection<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can Filter by Website Name<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Central Management<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best For<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic traffic filtering<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full enterprise security<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Azure_Load_Balancer_vs_Application_Gateway\"><\/span><b>Azure Load Balancer vs Application Gateway<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Azure Load Balancer<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Application Gateway<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Works At<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layer 4 (TCP\/UDP)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Layer 7 (HTTP\/HTTPS)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSL Termination<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Route by URL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Built-in WAF<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best For<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-web traffic, basic load balancing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Web apps and sites<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Service_Endpoint_vs_Private_Endpoint\"><\/span><b>Service Endpoint vs Private Endpoint<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Feature<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Service Endpoint<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Private Endpoint<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traffic Path<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft network but uses public IP<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private IP inside your network<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who Can Access<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only from your VNet<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From your VNet, connected networks, and on-premises<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DNS Changes Needed<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best For<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simple access control<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full private connection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Should_You_Prepare_for_the_AZ-700_Exam\"><\/span><b>How Should You Prepare for the AZ-700 Exam?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is the preparation structure that actually works. Not because it covers the most ground, but because it builds knowledge in the right order.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Lock_Down_Your_Networking_Basics_First\"><\/span><b>Step 1: Lock Down Your Networking Basics First<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you touch a single Azure service, make sure you are comfortable with the fundamentals\u00a0 DNS, IP routing, firewalls, load balancing, subnetting, and VPN technologies. These are the building blocks. If they feel uncertain, slow down here. Rushing past shaky foundations will cost you more time later than fixing them now.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Follow_a_Structured_AZ-700_Course\"><\/span><b>Step 2: Follow a Structured AZ-700 Course<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studying randomly kills momentum. Jumping between YouTube videos, documentation pages, and blog posts without a clear path means you end up covering some things twice and missing others completely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good AZ-700 course gives you a clear path from start to finish. Look for one that explains concepts clearly, shows real architecture examples, includes practice scenarios, and has hands-on labs built in.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/\"> <b>Whizlabs<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> puts all of this in one place so you are not spending half your study time hunting for separate resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Spend_Serious_Time_in_Labs\"><\/span><b>Step 3: Spend Serious Time in Labs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the most important step, and it is the one most people cut short.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading about an Azure service and actually deploying it are two completely different experiences. The exam is written for people who have done both. If you have only read about these services, you will feel the gap when you hit the harder scenario questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here is what you should be practising in a real Azure environment:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Azure VPN Gateway\u00a0 both Site-to-Site and Point-to-Site<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ExpressRoute setup and configuration<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VNet peering across multiple networks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Azure Firewall with custom rule sets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Application Gateway and Load Balancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private Endpoints and Service Endpoints<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Azure DNS with private zones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Network Watcher for diagnostics and troubleshooting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best way to get this practice without setting up your own Azure environment from scratch is through guided<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/labs\"> <b>hands-on labs<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These labs walk you through real Azure networking scenarios step by step, so you build genuine practical experience in the exact areas the exam tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want even more flexibility, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/labs\/sandbox\"> <b>Whizlabs Sandbox environment<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gives you a live Azure environment you can use freely to experiment, break things, and rebuild them\u00a0 which is exactly the kind of unguided practice that builds real confidence before exam day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most candidates who pass the AZ-700 exam spend at least 40 to 60 hours in hands-on practice environments. That is a real commitment, but it reflects what the exam actually requires.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Use_Practice_Tests_to_Find_Your_Weak_Spots\"><\/span><b>Step 4: Use Practice Tests to Find Your Weak Spots<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An AZ-700 practice test is not a shortcut to passing. It is a diagnostic tool that shows you where your gaps are. Do not take one at the very beginning of your preparation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After you finish a solid chunk of studying, take a full practice test. When you review your results, do not just count how many you got right. Go through every question you got wrong and ask yourself honestly, was this a knowledge gap, a misread scenario, or a misunderstood trade-off? That reflection is where the real improvement happens.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/microsoft-azure-exam-az-700\/\"> <b>Whizlabs AZ-700 practice tests<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> come with detailed explanations for every answer, which makes this review process significantly more useful than working through questions without context.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Practical_4-Week_AZ-700_Study_Plan\"><\/span><b>A Practical 4-Week AZ-700 Study Plan<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-101272\" src=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan.webp\" alt=\"A Practical 4-Week AZ-700 Study Plan\" width=\"1945\" height=\"1460\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan.webp 1945w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan-300x225.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan-1024x769.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan-1536x1153.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Practical-4-Week-AZ-700-Study-Plan-150x113.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1945px) 100vw, 1945px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have four weeks to prepare, here is a simple and effective plan to follow:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Week<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>What to Focus On<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>What to Do<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Week 1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basics + Hybrid Networking<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review networking fundamentals, practice VPN Gateway setup, study ExpressRoute architecture<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Week 2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Core Infrastructure + Routing<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VNet peering labs, DNS configuration, User-Defined Routes, Route Server, NAT Gateway<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Week 3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security + Private Access<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Azure Firewall rules, NSG layering, WAF setup, compare Private Endpoint vs Service Endpoint<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Week 4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review + Practice Tests<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Full-length practice exams, revisit weak areas, go through Microsoft Learn documentation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have more than four weeks, use the extra time on routing and more lab practice. These two areas give you the biggest improvement for the time you put in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mistakes_That_Will_Cost_You_on_Exam_Day\"><\/span><b>Mistakes That Will Cost You on Exam Day<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are the most common reasons people do not pass on their first attempt. Knowing them now means you can avoid them entirely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Memorising instead of understanding.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The AZ-700 exam is built to catch this. If you cannot explain why a service is the right choice in a given situation, memorising its name and features will not save you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Skipping the labs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Routing and private access concepts especially need hands-on time. No matter how much you read, it does not replace the experience of actually deploying and observing these services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Not practising service comparisons.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many questions give you two valid options. If you have not practised choosing between them, you end up guessing\u00a0 and guessing on a 700-point passing threshold is a risky strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Underestimating the routing section.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> At 25 to 30% of the exam weight, this domain will define your result more than any other. Many candidates underestimate it and pay the price. Make it your number one priority.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Studying security tools separately.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> NSGs, Azure Firewall, and WAF are not three separate topics to tick off your list. They work together as one layered security system, and the exam tests them that way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Not reviewing wrong answers after practice tests.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Taking a practice test and moving straight to the next one is one of the most common and costly mistakes in AZ-700 exam preparation. Every wrong answer is a signal. Follow it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exam_Tips_That_Actually_Help\"><\/span><b>Exam Tips That Actually Help<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Read the scenario details carefully.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Every AZ-700 question gives you clues about cost limits, performance needs, compliance rules, or connection requirements. These details are not background noise. They point you to the right answer. Do not skip them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Always ask why, not just what.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When you study any Azure networking service, do not stop at knowing what it does. Ask yourself why you would choose it over another option. That is exactly what the exam asks you to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Keep the official Microsoft AZ-700 certification page open while you study.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The documentation has important details about service limits and best practices that show up directly in exam questions. Use it regularly throughout your preparation, not just the night before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Manage your time deliberately during mock exams.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a question is taking too long, mark it and move on. Come back to it after you have answered everything else. Running out of time on easy questions because you got stuck on a hard one is an entirely preventable mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Do not ignore Network Watcher.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most people focus heavily on building and securing networks but forget about the monitoring tools. Network Watcher questions come up more often than you would expect. Know what it does, when to use it, and what output it gives you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>&#8220;The AZ-700 exam does not test whether you know Azure networking services. It tests whether you can choose the right networking solution for a business requirement.&#8221;<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Can_You_Do_After_Passing_AZ-700\"><\/span><b>What Can You Do After Passing AZ-700?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passing the AZ-700 exam does not just give you a credential. It opens doors to some of the fastest-growing and best-compensated roles in cloud technology.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Job_Roles_Available_After_AZ-700\"><\/span><b>Job Roles Available After AZ-700<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate certification directly qualifies you for roles including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Azure Network Engineer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Designing and managing Azure networking infrastructure for enterprise organisations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cloud Infrastructure Engineer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Building and maintaining hybrid and cloud-native network environments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cloud Network Architect<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Leading network design decisions across large Azure deployments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Senior Network Engineer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Taking on cloud networking responsibilities within traditional infrastructure teams<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cloud Security Engineer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Specialising in secure Azure networking architectures including firewall, private access, and compliance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Solutions Architect<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Advising organisations on Azure networking design as part of broader cloud strategy work\\<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_AZ-700_Certification_Helps_Your_Career\"><\/span><b>Why AZ-700 Certification Helps Your Career<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cloud networking market is growing rapidly. Organisations across every industry are migrating workloads to Azure, expanding hybrid connectivity, and building secure cloud-native architectures. The demand for professionals who can design and manage these environments is significantly outpacing supply.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here is what the AZ-700 certification specifically does for your career:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>It validates a specialised skill set.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> General Azure certifications are common. An Azure networking specialist certification is far less common and far more valued by hiring managers looking to fill specific roles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>It demonstrates practical ability.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Because AZ-700 tests scenario-based decision-making rather than memorisation, employers know a certified candidate can actually solve networking problems\u00a0 not just describe solutions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>It increases earning potential.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Azure Network Engineers and Cloud Network Architects consistently command above-average salaries in the cloud technology market. Specific salary figures vary by region and experience level, but the AZ-700 credential is widely recognised as a qualifier for senior-level compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>It keeps your skills current.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The annual renewal model means AZ-700 certified professionals stay updated as Azure networking services evolve\u00a0 which is a meaningful signal to employers in a field that changes quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you are looking to move into cloud networking from a traditional networking role, advance within your current organisation, or qualify for senior positions in cloud architecture, the AZ-700 certification is one of the most direct and credible ways to demonstrate you have the skills employers need.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways_for_Your_AZ-700_Preparation\"><\/span><b>Key Takeaways for Your AZ-700 Preparation<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the most important things to carry with you into your preparation:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The exam tests decision-making, not memorisation. Focus on understanding, not just reading.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Routing is the biggest section at 25 to 30%. Make it your top priority.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan for at least 40 to 60 hours of hands-on lab practice. There is no shortcut around this.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scenario-based questions dominate the exam. Practice picking between services, not just describing them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key comparisons\u00a0 VPN Gateway vs ExpressRoute, NSG vs Azure Firewall, Private Endpoint vs Service Endpoint\u00a0 come up again and again. Know them cold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people are ready in 4 to 8 weeks with consistent daily study.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AZ-700 opens doors to high-demand, well-compensated Azure networking roles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><b>Frequently Asked Questions<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>How long should I study for AZ-700?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most candidates need 4 to 8 weeks, studying one to two hours daily. Those with strong networking backgrounds may be ready sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. Is AZ-700 good for beginners?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> No. AZ-700 is an intermediate to advanced exam. Build basic networking and Azure knowledge first before attempting this certification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2. How hard is the AZ-700 exam?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AZ-700 is moderately to highly difficult. It tests real-world decision-making, not memorisation. Candidates with hands-on networking experience find it more manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>3. What score do I need to pass AZ-700?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You need 700 out of 1000 to pass. The exam uses scaled scoring, so different questions carry different weights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>4. How many questions are on the AZ-700 exam?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most AZ-700 exam attempts include 40 to 60 questions covering multiple choice, case studies, and scenario-based formats. Numbers vary per attempt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>5. Which AZ-700 section should I study most?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prioritise routing. It carries 25 to 30% of the exam weight and is where most candidates gain or lose the most marks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>6. Do I really need hands-on labs for AZ-700?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Yes. AZ-700 scenario questions require practical experience. Candidates who only study theory consistently struggle. Labs are essential, not optional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>7. When should I take an AZ-700 practice test?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Take your first practice test after covering most of the syllabus. Use results to identify gaps, not to measure readiness too early.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>8. What jobs can I get after passing AZ-700?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AZ-700 qualifies you for roles including Azure Network Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Cloud Network Architect, and Solutions Architect positions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>9. Why do most people find AZ-700 hard?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Routing complexity and service comparison questions challenge most candidates. Both require applying knowledge to real scenarios, not simply recalling definitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>10. What are the AZ-700 exam prerequisites?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> No formal prerequisites exist. Microsoft recommends solid knowledge of DNS, routing, firewalls, VPN, subnetting, and basic Azure networking services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>11. What is the AZ-700 certification validity period?<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> AZ-700 certification is valid for one year. Free annual renewal is available through a short online assessment on Microsoft Learn.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here is something that happens to almost every AZ-700 candidate. You study for weeks. You watch videos. You read through Microsoft docs. You take notes on every Azure networking service you can find. You feel ready. Then you open your first practice test. And the questions feel nothing like what you studied. You know what Azure VPN Gateway is. You know what ExpressRoute does. But the exam is not asking you to explain these things. It is giving you a real-world business problem and asking you to solve it. That is the shift most candidates miss. And once you understand [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":441,"featured_media":101270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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Subramanian","author_link":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/author\/prabhu-subramanian\/"},"uagb_comment_info":4,"uagb_excerpt":"Here is something that happens to almost every AZ-700 candidate. You study for weeks. You watch videos. You read through Microsoft docs. You take notes on every Azure networking service you can find. You feel ready. Then you open your first practice test. And the questions feel nothing like what you studied. You know what&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/441"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82416"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101277,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82416\/revisions\/101277"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/101270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.whizlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}