AZ-802 Practice Test

AZ-802 (Administering Windows Server) is a Microsoft Associate-level certification exam that validates the skills needed to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot Windows Server across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It covers AD DS, Hyper-V virtual machines, hybrid management with Azure Arc, storage and file services, networking, security hardening, and monitoring using tools like Windows Admin Center, PowerShell, and Azure Monitor.

AZ-800 (Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure) and AZ-801 (Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services) were the previous two-exam path to the Windows Server Administrator Associate certification. AZ-802 consolidates that scope into a single exam and is the current, active path to the credential — AZ-800 and AZ-801 are retiring on September 30, 2026, so AZ-802 is the exam that matters going forward.

The AZ-802 exam costs $165 USD. As with other Microsoft role-based exams, pricing can vary slightly by region and Microsoft occasionally offers discount vouchers through Learn events or partner programs.

The AZ-802 exam runs 120 minutes and uses Microsoft's standard scaled scoring, with a passing score of 700 out of 1000. With roughly 40-60 questions in that window, expect around 2-3 minutes per question, including scenario-based items that take longer to work through.

AZ-802 covers seven domains: Deploy and manage AD DS (20-25%) — domain controllers, RODCs, FSMO roles, multi-site/multi-forest trusts, and Group Policy; Manage Windows Server instances and workloads in a hybrid environment (10-15%) — Windows Admin Center, PowerShell remoting, and Azure Arc; Manage virtual machines (10-15%) — Hyper-V configuration and Azure VM management; Implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure (10-15%) — DNS and DHCP; Manage storage and file services (15-20%) — Azure Files, DFS, Storage Spaces Direct, and BitLocker; Secure Windows Server infrastructure (10-15%) — exploit protection, Credential Guard, and AD DS hardening; and Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments (15-20%) — Performance Monitor, Azure Monitor, and AD troubleshooting.

Yes, AZ-802 is currently a beta exam. Beta exams are fully valid for certification — Microsoft uses the beta period to calibrate question difficulty and scoring before the exam moves to general availability. There is no downside to taking it now; in fact it's currently the only active path to the Windows Server Administrator Associate certification, since AZ-800/AZ-801 retire September 30, 2026.

There are no enforced prerequisites to register for AZ-802, but Microsoft recommends candidates have hands-on experience administering Windows Server, Active Directory Domain Services, Hyper-V, and basic familiarity with Azure services such as Azure Arc, Azure Monitor, and Azure Update Manager. Prior experience with on-premises AD DS environments is especially valuable given the exam's weighting.

Yes. Windows Server administration remains a core skill for enterprise IT — most organizations still run substantial on-premises or hybrid infrastructure alongside their cloud footprint. The Windows Server Administrator Associate certification (earned via AZ-802) signals you can manage that hybrid reality: AD DS, Hyper-V, storage, and security, plus the Azure Arc and hybrid tooling that connects on-premises servers to the cloud.

Most candidates with existing Windows Server administration experience need 6-10 weeks of focused preparation. Prioritize AD DS (20-25% of the exam) and storage/file services and monitoring (15-20% each) — together these make up over half the exam. If you're newer to Azure Arc and hybrid management tooling, budget extra time for that domain since it's less familiar to traditional on-premises admins.