System Administrator Jobs — Best Certifications & How to Become One
Employers hiring system administrators most often ask for AZ-104, MD-102 and EX200 certifications. This page shows what the job involves, the certification path in the right order, and every certification we cover for it — each with a free practice test.
What Does a System Administrator Do?
System administrators keep servers, identities and endpoints running: user accounts, permissions, updates, backups, and the Azure and Microsoft 365 estates most companies now live in — plus the Linux servers behind much of the internet.
AZ-104 certifies the Azure administrator's daily work, MD-102 covers endpoint management, and RHCSA proves Linux administration the hands-on way.
The System Administrator Certification Path
All System Administrator Certifications
How Study4Pass Helps You Prepare
The core of your preparation is a real question bank: exam-style questions organised by domain, so you can see exactly which topics are costing you marks. On top of that, every question carries an Ask AI panel — send the question to ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude or Copilot for a deeper explanation. AI is for understanding the concept; the core preparation stays the real practice questions.
System Administrator Certification — FAQs
Which certification should I take first for system administrator jobs?
If you are new to Azure, pass AZ-900 first. Otherwise start with AZ-104, the core system administrator certification for Microsoft estates.
Do I need experience before I start?
AZ-104 expects hands-on experience administering Azure. Beginners should build the foundation with AZ-900 first.
How long does preparation take?
It depends on your starting point and how many hours a week you study. Fundamentals exams usually take a few weeks of steady study; associate and professional exams take longer because they test hands-on scenarios. Practising by domain — and reviewing every explanation — matters more than total hours.
Are the practice tests on Study4Pass free?
Yes. Every exam page on Study4Pass has a free practice test you can start without paying, so you can check your level before you commit to a study plan.
