AZ-305 is a Microsoft certification exam for Azure Solutions Architect. This certification focuses on validating the skills and knowledge required to design and implement solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including aspects such as security, governance, identity, networking, storage, computing, and monitoring.
Passing this exam demonstrates expertise in Azure architecture, services, and best practices and is intended for professionals who design and implement solutions in Azure, as well as those who advise stakeholders and translate business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions.
So in this blog, we report to you everything about the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification exam that you need to know. Topics covered are as follows:
- What is the Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam AZ-305?
- 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
- Learning Path
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.
Related Readings: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam Questions
Who Is an Azure Solutions Architect?
- An Azure Solutions Architect designs, implements, and manages cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure, ensuring scalability, security, and cost-efficiency.
- They work across all stages of solution development, from analyzing requirements and creating designs to deploying and optimizing cloud resources.
- Collaborates with teams like developers, DevOps engineers, and data architects to deliver end-to-end solutions.
- Uses Azure tools like Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, and Terraform to build and manage cloud environments.
- Focuses on integrating modern technologies like microservices, serverless computing, and containerization.
- Ensures reliable performance by leveraging services like Azure Monitor and Application Insights.
- Plays a critical role in translating business needs into innovative, secure, and scalable Azure-based architectures.
Pre-requisites For the AZ-305 Exam
Candidates for this exam should be aware of:
Path to Earn Azure Solution Architect AZ-305 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 go for AZ-305 after completion of AZ-104, then you will get an Expert Certification.
Source: Microsoft
Related Readings: Microsoft Azure Certification Path
AZ-305 Exam Structure: Skills Measured
To pass the exam, you must first get familiar with the exam objectives and skills measured. Hence, below are the skills measured in the AZ-305 exam.
1. Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions (25-30%)
- Design Solutions for Logging and Monitoring:
- Implement Azure Monitor and Log Analytics for centralized data collection, and design alerting strategies with Application Insights.
- Utilize custom logging and Azure Monitor alerts to proactively monitor resources, applications, and networks.
- Design Authentication and Authorization Solutions:
- Plan secure access using Microsoft Entra, role-based access control (RBAC), single sign-on (SSO), and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Design identity federation solutions and external identity integration, and implement conditional access policies.
- Design Governance:
- Implement governance solutions with Azure Policy, resource locks, tags, and management groups.
- Design cost management strategies using Azure Cost Management, budgets, and Azure Advisor recommendations.
2. Design Data Storage Solutions (20-25%)
- Design Data Storage Solutions for Relational Data:
- Design highly available and scalable relational databases using Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance, and MySQL/PostgreSQL.
- Implement data partitioning, shading strategies, and database migration using Azure Database Migration Service.
Related Readings: Migrate SQL Server To Azure SQL Database
- Design Data Storage Solutions for Semi-Structured and Unstructured Data:
- Plan storage solutions for unstructured data using Azure Blob Storage, Data Lake Storage, and File Storage with lifecycle management.
- Design solutions for semi-structured data using Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Table Storage with strategies for high throughput and low latency.
- Design Data Integration:
- Design strategies to ensure data consistency, availability, and fault tolerance during data integration.
- Design secure and scalable data analysis environments that can handle large datasets and complex queries.
3. Design Business Continuity Solutions (15-20%)
- Design Solutions for Backup and Disaster Recovery:
- Plan and design backup solutions using Azure Backup, Recovery Services Vaults, and Azure Site Recovery with geo-redundancy and recovery time objectives (RTO).
- Implement disaster recovery strategies, including failover and failback plans, and design solutions for periodic testing.
- Design for High Availability:
- Design highly available architectures using Availability Zones, Azure Load Balancer, and Traffic Manager with replication strategies.
- Implement auto-scaling, failover mechanisms, and network architectures for high availability and fault tolerance.
4. Design Infrastructure Solutions (30-35%)
- Design Compute Solutions:
- Design scalable compute solutions using virtual machines, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and App Services with containerized solutions using Azure Container Instances and Azure Container Registry.
- Implement hybrid cloud solutions, integrating on-premises resources with Azure, and design scaling strategies for performance and cost optimization.
- Design an application architecture:
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Design scalable, serverless, and microservices-based architectures using Azure App Service, AKS, and Azure Functions. Implement reliable messaging with Azure Service Bus, Event Hubs, and Queue Storage, and build event-driven systems with Event Grid and Azure Functions. Secure APIs with API Management, automate with Logic Apps, and enhance performance using Azure Blob Storage, CDN, and Front Door for caching.
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Centralize configuration management using Azure App Configuration, secure secrets with Key Vault, and automate deployment with Azure DevOps and ARM Templates. Use AKS and App Service for deployment automation, enabling scalable, high-availability solutions.
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- Design Migrations:
- Plan and design migration strategies for on-premises workloads to Azure using Azure Migrate and hybrid connectivity solutions.
- Implement database migration strategies, including assessment, replication, and cutover, and design network migration strategies with VPN and ExpressRoute.
- Design Network Solutions:
- Design secure virtual network architectures using VNet peering, private endpoints, and Azure Firewall.
- Implement connectivity and traffic management solutions using Azure Front Door, Traffic Manager, Application Gateway, and hybrid networking.
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, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
- 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 Azure solution architect experts will see tremendous growth.
Now let’s look at the salaries offered to Azure Solution Architects in different countries.
| Countries | Salary Range |
USA |
$100,000 – $190,000 |
India |
₹15,00,000 – ₹24,00,000 |
Canada |
CAD 89,000-CAD 120,000 |
United Kingdom |
£80,000 – £125,125 |
Learning Path For AZ-305
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the AZ-305 exam hard?
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.
2. What responsibility does an Azure Solution Architect have?
An Azure Solution Architect is responsible for designing and implementing secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure. They align business needs with technical strategies, optimize Azure services, and collaborate with developers, DevOps engineers, and stakeholders to deliver end-to-end solutions.
3. What is the solution architect's salary?
In the United States, the average salary for this role is around $155,000 per year, with a typical range between $100,000 and $190,000
4. Can I pass AZ-305 without AZ 104?
Yes, you can pass the AZ-305 exam without AZ-104 but you will be getting the certificate of AZ305. In order to achieve AZ305 certificate you need to clear AZ104 exam.
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