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.
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 exam candidate should be familiar with building and implementing the architecture of Azure solutions in accordance with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework as well as the Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework.
Why Is Microsoft Making This Change?
In order to stay current with industry standards, Microsoft continuously reviews its certification and Programme. They continue to evaluate the competencies required to prosper in a cloud-based environment.
AZ-305 shows that the exam has undergone significant modification and that more than one-third of the exam’s substance 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.
Read: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam Questions
Who Is Azure Solutions Architect?
We now know that Solutions Architects can earn the AZ-305 certification. But who is a Solutions Architect? What are their responsibilities? What do they do? We now know that Solutions Architects can earn the AZ-305 certification. So let’s get some basics first.
Designing cloud and hybrid systems that use Microsoft Azure, including computing, network, storage, monitoring, and security, is a specialty of the Azure Solutions Architect. Additionally, the Solutions Architect is skilled in governance, data platforms, disaster recovery, virtualization, identity management, and IT operations.
Moreover, the Solution Architect closely works with Azure Developers, Azure Administrators, and 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 Certification
To earn the AZ-305 certification, you need to fulfill 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.
- You can directly go for AZ-305 Certification.
- If you will go for AZ-305 after completion of AZ-104 then you will get an Expert Certification.
Source: Microsoft
Read: Microsoft Azure Certification Path
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
- Offer a suggestion for a data analysis program. Design a Data Storage Solution for Non-Relational Data and Recommend a Data Storage Solution
- Design a Data Solution for Non-relational Data
Design Business Continuity Solutions (10-15%)
- Create a Backup and Disaster Recovery Solution
- 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
- Exam Cost: $165 (vary country to country)
- Languages: English
- Retirement Date: None
AZ-305 Certification Benefits
- AZ-305 certification makes you a qualified professional who has end-to-end knowledge of the subject of Azure Roles and Responsibilities.
- It makes you more marketable and helps you land lucrative offers.
- Your job profile will advance and your chances of being chosen for the role will enhance if you update your profile with this credential.
- Additionally, it aids in giving you pure recognition within the company.
- With a 19% market share and continuous innovation, Microsoft tends to bloom, and hence the demand for Expert Azure Solution Architects will see tremendous growth.
Now let’s look at the salaries offered to AWS Solution Architects 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’ve already earned a Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Certification. What should I do?
Answer: The first step toward becoming an Azure Solution Architect Expert has been completed. Just pass the AZ-305 exam at this time to obtain the professional certification.
Q2) 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. Candidates who take Exam AZ-305 when it becomes available will satisfy the prerequisite. so you can skip getting your Azure Solutions Administrator Associate credential.
Q3) How can I become an Azure solution architect?
Answer: You must pass the AZ-305 and AZ-104 tests in order to become certified as an Azure Solutions Architect. Before taking these exams, you are not required to pass any Associate-level tests. Azure technology is the subject of the AZ-104 exam, whereas design is the focus of the AZ-305 test.
Q4) How hard is the Azure Architect exam?
Answer: It is not difficult to achieve the Azure Solutions Architect certification if you take a better study path. Prior to beginning the preparation, concentrate on the exam objectives and look for reliable preparation tools. Then, make sure to plan ahead and give your knowledge and experience rest.
Q5) Does IT merit Azure Solution Architect certification?
Answer: If your work center around Azure, passing this exam—one of two needed to get Microsoft’s Azure Solutions Architect badge—is essentially a given. Additionally, this certification can only improve your career prospects if you’re an experienced architect trying to enter the Azure market.
Q6) How much time should be allocated to studying for the Azure Solution Architect exam?
Answer: In total, I studied for around 6-8 weeks, spending 30 to 60 minutes per day. I took the two examinations one week apart, beginning with AZ-305. Since they cover the same material from various angles.
Related/References
- 25 Sample Questions Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert [AZ-305] Certification
- AZ 305: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Step By Step Activity Guides (Hands-On Labs)
- Microsoft Azure Solution Architect AZ-303/AZ-304: Everything You Need To Know
- Structured Vs Unstructured Data Vs Semi-Structured Data
- Azure Data Engineer Interview Questions and Answers
- PTA vs PHS vs ADFS in Azure AD
- [Recap] Day 1: Azure Active Directory [Azure Solutions Architect]
- [Recap] Day 2: Implement and Manage Hybrid Identities & Virtual Networking: [Azure Solutions Architect]
- [Recap] Day 3: Implement VMs for Windows and Linux: [Azure Solutions Architect]
- 50 Top Azure Interview Questions You Must Know In 2022
Next Task For You
Begin your journey toward becoming a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Just click on the register now button below to register for a Free 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.
The post AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Certification Overview appeared first on Cloud Training Program.