Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) – Study Plan

Topics

• AZ-305 exam domains (identity, data, infrastructure, business continuity)
• Azure Well-Architected Framework (cost, security, reliability, performance, operational excellence)
• Architecture trade-offs (CAP theorem, consistency, availability)

Activities

• Review the official AZ-305 study guide.
• Read the Well-Architected Framework pillars.
• Take ExamOS Rookie mode quiz (30 questions, 30 minutes) on foundational concepts.
• Review your weak domains from the quiz results.

Topics

• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) – design for identity lifecycle
• Conditional Access policies (Zero Trust)
• Azure Policy, Blueprints, management groups
• Azure role-based access control (RBAC) vs. attribute-based (ABAC)

Activities

• Design an RBAC hierarchy for a multi-subscription environment.
• Create a Conditional Access policy in a test tenant.
• Take ExamOS Challenger mode quiz on Identity & Governance.

Topics

• Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance
• Cosmos DB (API selection, consistency levels, partitioning)
• Azure Database for PostgreSQL/MySQL
• Migration tools (Azure Database Migration Service)

Activities

• Design a Cosmos DB data model for a global application.
• Compare SQL Database vs. Managed Instance for a legacy workload.
• Take ExamOS Challenger mode quiz on Relational & NoSQL.

Topics

• Azure Storage accounts (redundancy, access tiers)
• Azure Files vs. Azure NetApp Files
• Azure Data Lake Storage
• Azure Synapse Analytics (dedicated SQL pool, serverless)

Activities

• Design a data lake architecture for a big data analytics pipeline.
• Plan storage lifecycle policies for cost optimization.
• Take ExamOS Challenger mode quiz on Blob & Analytics Storage.

Topics

• Virtual Machines (availability sets, zones, scaling)
• App Service (plans, auto-scale, deployment slots)
• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) – networking, security, scaling
• Azure Functions (consumption vs. premium)
• Container registries (ACR, Docker Hub integration)

Activities

• Design an AKS cluster with network policies and private ingress.
• Compare App Service vs. Container Apps for a microservice.

Topics

• Virtual Network design (hub-and-spoke, peering, gateway transit)
• Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door, Traffic Manager
• VPN Gateway (policy-based, route-based)
• ExpressRoute (private peering, Microsoft peering)
• DNS (Azure DNS, private resolver)

Activities

• Design a hub-and-spoke topology with shared services.
• Compare Application Gateway vs. Front Door for a global web app.

Topics

• Azure Backup (VM, files, SQL)
• Azure Site Recovery (ASR) – failover, failback
• RPO / RTO objectives
• Backup and recovery for PaaS services (Cosmos DB, SQL Database)

Activities

• Design a DR plan for a multi-tier application (on-prem to Azure).
• Calculate RPO and RTO for different ASR configurations.
• Take ExamOS Challenger mode quiz on BC/DR.

Topics

• Azure Monitor (metrics, logs, alerts)
• Application Insights (performance monitoring, smart detection)
• Azure Migrate (discovery, assessment, migration)
• Azure Cost Management + Advisor recommendations

Activities

• Create a dashboard with Azure Monitor metrics for a sample app.
• Perform a lift-and-shift migration assessment using Azure Migrate.
• Take ExamOS Challenger mode quiz on Monitoring & Migration.

Topics

• Full syllabus review (all domains)
• Time management for 60 questions (120 minutes)

Activities

• Take ExamOS Challenger mode full quizzes (all domains) – at least 3.
• Review every incorrect answer; study the explanation.
• Identify weak domains and retake targeted quizzes (premium Focus mode).
• Repeat until you pass 3 Challenger quizzes in a row.

Topics

• Realistic exam simulation (60 questions, 120 minutes)
• Case study design questions
• Exam day strategies

Activities

• Take ExamOS Legend mode full quizzes (80% hard questions) – at least 3.
• Simulate the full 120-minute exam (take two quizzes back-to-back if possible).
• Review every incorrect answer – focus on "why" you missed it.
• Once you pass Legend mode twice in a row, schedule your real exam.