Exam Details
Microsoft · AZ-305
Prepare for AZ-305: Design Azure solutions for identity, data, infrastructure, and business continuity.
Study Plan Available
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) – Study Plan
6-week plan · ~45 hours
Overview
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FAQ
The AZ-305 exam validates your ability to design cloud and hybrid solutions on Azure that meet business requirements for reliability, performance, security, and cost optimization. This expert-level certification targets senior Azure administrators and architects who translate business needs into technical architectures. You'll be tested on designing identity, governance, data storage, business continuity, and infrastructure solutions. As organizations adopt multi-service Azure architectures, the demand for certified solutions architects who can design resilient, scalable systems continues to grow.
You're a fit for AZ-305 if you:
Not sure if you're ready? Try a free sample quiz: 10 questions, instant results, identify weak areas.
| Domain | Weight | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions | 25–30% | Architect Entra ID, RBAC, policy, cost management, and centralized monitoring strategies |
| Design data storage solutions | 20–25% | Choose between SQL, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, and Blob based on access patterns and scale |
| Design business continuity solutions | 15–20% | Plan backup, disaster recovery, high availability, and region redundancy strategies |
| Design infrastructure solutions | 25–30% | Design compute, networking, and container architectures for hybrid and multi-region workloads |
You're probably ready if you can:
You might need more prep if:
If this feels too advanced:
If you know the basics but want to build confidence:
The exam generally consists of 40–60 questions. These include various types such as multiple-choice, best-case scenarios, drag-and-drop, and in-depth case studies. You are typically given 100 to 120 minutes to complete the assessment, though additional time may be allotted for reading instructions and surveys.
A minimum scaled score of 700 out of 1000 is required to pass. This score is not a percentage of correct answers but a weighted calculation based on the difficulty of the questions provided in your specific exam instance.
The exam is divided into four main functional groups that reflect the core responsibilities of a solutions architect:
Preparation should involve a combination of official Microsoft Learn paths, hands-on lab exercises, and architectural design guides. ExamOS offers scenario-based practice quizzes that build real exam confidence by mimicking the decision-heavy nature of the actual test. Reviewing the Azure Architecture Center's best practices is also essential for understanding how to evaluate trade-offs between different services.
The standard registration fee is $165 USD per attempt. However, pricing is subject to change based on your geographic location and local currency. Students and employees of companies with Microsoft partnerships may be eligible for significant discounts or exam vouchers.
If you do not achieve a passing score, you must wait 24 hours before your second attempt. For any subsequent attempts, there is a mandatory 14-day waiting period. You are limited to a maximum of five exam attempts within a 12-month period from the date of your first attempt.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is valid for exactly one year. To maintain the certification, you must complete a free, non-proctored renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn. This renewal window opens six months before your certification expires and focuses on the latest updates in the Azure ecosystem.
This exam is designed for experienced IT professionals who have advanced experience in compute, network, storage, and security. To officially earn the Azure Solutions Architect Expert title, you must first pass the AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) exam. The target audience includes those who advise stakeholders and translate business requirements into secure, scalable cloud solutions.
The Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential is a high-tier certification that qualifies you for roles like Senior Cloud Architect or Infrastructure Lead. While it opens doors to high-paying positions, it also carries significant responsibility; architects are held accountable for the cost-efficiency and security of a company's entire cloud footprint. In a competitive market, this certification serves as a baseline, but success in the role depends heavily on your ability to manage stakeholders and navigate complex organizational politics.
Once you have mastered architectural design, you should look toward specialization. The most logical next steps are: