Have we got news for you? Yes, probably the biggest one. Microsoft recently announced that they are reimaging the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and replacing AZ-303 and AZ-304 with the single AZ-305 exam, which will be released as a beta exam from November 16 2021.
So in this blog, we report to you everything about the AZ-305 certification exam that you need to know. Topics covered are as follows:
- What is the Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam [AZ-305]?
- Why is Microsoft making this change?
- Who is Azure Solutions Architect?
- Prerequisite for AZ -305 exam
- Path to earn certification
- Skills measured in AZ – 305
- Exam Details
- AZ-305 Certifications Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam [AZ-305]?
The AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (beta) is a new expert-level exam for Solutions Architect which will be available from November 2021. This exam replaces AZ-303 (Azure Architect Technologies) and AZ 304 (Azure Architect Design), and both these exams will retire on March 31, 2022. The candidate for this exam is expected to know about designing and implementing Azure solutions architecture according to Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework and Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework.
Why Is Microsoft Making This Change?
Microsoft keeps on reviewing its program and certification to stay upfront with the industry requirements. They keep on assessing the skills needed to thrive in a cloud-based world.
Microsoft also keeps reviewing the objective domain, and in this particular case, there was a ton of overlap between AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) and Exan AZ-303/AZ-304. And hence with the gathered feedback on these exams, Microsoft decided to make AZ-104 a prerequisite and combine AZ-303 and AZ-304 in single certification, i.e. AZ-305.
AZ-305 is a new exam with a new number that indicates that the exam has changed quite a bit and suggests more than one-third of the exam content has changed. Changing exam numbers is simply Microsoft’s way to let test-takers know that exam content has changed significantly, and one should prepare accordingly.
Who Is Azure Solutions Architect?
Now we know that AZ-305 certification is for Solutions Architect. But who is a Solutions Architect? What are their responsibilities? What do they do? are some of the few questions that may strike you. So let’s get some basics first.
Azure Solutions Architect has subject matter expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including compute, network, storage, monitor and security. Not only this, the Solutions Architect has expertise in IT operations, virtualization, identity management, disaster recovery, business continuity, data platforms, and governance.
Moreover, the Solution Architect closely works with Azure Developers, Azure Administrators, cloud DBAs to translate business requirements into designing secure, scalable Azure cloud Solutions.
Prerequisites For the AZ-305 Exam
Candidates for this exam should have IT operations experience and knowledge, including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance.
In addition to that, it is also required to have experience in Azure Administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes.
Path to Earn Azure Solution Architect Expert Certification
To earn the AZ-305 certification, you need to fulfil one of the following requirements.
- Earn or have a current Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104 certification and pass Exam AZ-305 after it’s available.
- Pass Exam AZ-303 before it retires and clear Exam AZ-305 (beta) after it’s available on November 16, 2021.
- Pass both Exam AZ-303 and Exam AZ-304 before they retire.
Source: Microsoft
Skills Measured in Exam AZ-305
To pass the exam, you must first get familiar with the exam objectives and skill measured. Hence below are the skills measured in AZ 305 exam.
Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions (25-30%)
- Design a Solution for Logging and Monitoring
- Design Authentication and Authorization Solutions
- Design Governance
- Design Identities and Access for Applications
Design Data Storage Solutions (25-30%)
- Design a Data Storage Solution for Relational Data
- Design Data Integration
- Recommend a solution for data analysis Recommend a Data Storage Solution
- Design a Data Storage Solution for Non-relational Data
Design Business Continuity Solutions (10-15%)
- Design a Solution for Backup and Disaster Recovery
- Design for High Availability
Design Infrastructure Solutions (25-30%)
- Design a Compute Solution
- Design Application Architecture
- Design Migrations
- Design Network Solutions
Azure Solutions Architect Expert [AZ-305] Exam Details
- Certification Name: AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (beta)
- Exam Cost: $165 (vary country to country)
- Languages: English
- Available Date: November 16, 2021
- Retirement Date: None
AZ-305 Certification Benefits
- AZ-305 certification makes you a qualified professional who has end-to-end knowledge of the subject around Azure Roles and Responsibilities.
- It helps you get a bigger raise and attract lucrative packages.
- Updating your profile with this certificate will advance your job profile and increase your chances of getting selected for the position.
- Not only this, it helps you provide sheer recognition in the organization.
- With a 19% market share and continuous innovation, Microsft tends to bloom, and hence the demand for Expert Azure Solution Architect will see tremendous growth.
Now let’s look at the salaries offered to AWS Solution Architect in different countries.
| Countries | Salary Range |
USA |
$85,500 – $131,500 |
India |
₹15,00,000 – ₹24,00,000 |
Canada |
CAD 89,000- CAD 120,000 |
United Kingdom |
£80,000 – £125,125 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1) I’m preparing for Exam AZ-303 and Exam AZ-304. What should I do?
Answer: If you’ve been preparing for Exam AZ-303 or Exam AZ-304 and is ready to take the exam, you still got time to do it before March 31, 2022.
But if you’re just beginning your preparation for either AZ-303 or AZ-304, then you should focus on earning Azure Administrator Associate Certification and taking the new AZ-305 exam in place.
Q2) I’ve already earned a Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Certification. What should I do?
Answer: That’s half the journey to becoming an Azure Solution Architect Expert. Now you just need to pass AZ-305 to earn the expert certification.
Q3) I’ve already earned a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, but I don’t have an Azure Administrator Associate certification. Will I lose my certification?
Answer: No. The prerequisite will be for candidates who take Exam AZ-305 after it’s available. Currently, Exam AZ-303 and Exam AZ-304 prove the skills for implementation and design, so you don’t need to earn the Azure Solutions Administrator Associate certification.
Related/References
- How to Prepare for the Exam AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
- [AZ-104] Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Exam: Everything You Need To Know
- Microsoft Azure Solution Architect AZ-303/AZ-304: Everything You Need To Know
Next Task For You
Begin your journey towards becoming a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Just click on the register now button below to register for a Free Live Class on Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification [AZ-305], which will help you to understand better, so you can choose the right path and clear the certification exam.
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