AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert Guide
AZ-305 is Microsoft's architect-level exam and the reasoning depth is significantly higher than AZ-104. Here's how to prepare in 10 weeks.
AZ-305 is the exam that decides whether you're an Azure implementer or an Azure architect. The questions are shorter to read but longer to think about. Each option looks reasonable - your job is to pick the one that best fits the business scenario, not the technically prettiest one. This is Microsoft's version of the AWS Solutions Architect Professional test, and it's not something you cram in a weekend.
§What AZ-305 actually tests
40–60 questions, 120 minutes, at least one case study block. USD 165. Pass mark: 700/1000. Prerequisite: none officially, but you should have AZ-104 knowledge in your bones before attempting.
| Domain | Weight | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Design identity, governance, monitoring | 25–30% | Entra ID, MG hierarchy, cost mgmt, alerts |
| Design data storage | 25–30% | SQL, Cosmos DB, storage account picks |
| Design business continuity | 10–15% | Backup strategies, DR patterns, ASR |
| Design infrastructure | 25–30% | Compute + network solutions, integration |
§10-week study plan
- Week 1–2: Entra ID at architect depth - B2B, B2C, external identities, PIM, Conditional Access design
- Week 3: Governance design - subscriptions, management groups, Azure Policy at scale
- Week 4–5: Data platform design - when to choose SQL vs Cosmos DB, MongoDB API, Cassandra API
- Week 6: Storage architecture - Blob tier strategy, immutable policies, lifecycle at enterprise scale
- Week 7: BCDR - RTO/RPO thinking, backup vault design, ASR patterns for VMs and workloads
- Week 8: Compute + integration - App Service Plan sizing, AKS design, API Management
- Week 9: Networking at scale - hub-spoke, virtual WAN, Azure Firewall vs NVAs
- Week 10: Case study drills. Practice reading business scenarios in 4 minutes and choosing.
§The case study trap
AZ-305 case studies present 3–5 pages of business context and then ask 4–6 questions. Candidates panic and re-read every time. Instead: read once, jot down constraints on the whiteboard (compliance zone, latency SLA, budget cap), then answer each question against those constraints. Microsoft always hides the deciding factor in one line of the business context.
"On my AZ-305 attempt, the case study mentioned 'operations team based in Ireland with GDPR data residency requirement.' That single line eliminated every non-EU region answer. Read carefully, but read once."
§Best resources
- John Savill's AZ-305 Master Class on YouTube - free, 25+ hours, the definitive prep
- Microsoft Learn AZ-305 path - free, includes design walkthroughs
- Tim Warner's AZ-305 course on Pluralsight - good if you have subscription access
- MeasureUp AZ-305 practice tests - paid but reliable
- Well-Architected Framework docs - read every page, this IS the exam philosophy
§Salary jump from AZ-104 to AZ-305
| Location | AZ-305 Architect salary |
|---|---|
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | BDT 200k–350k/mo |
| Dubai, UAE | AED 25k–38k/mo |
| Riyadh, KSA | SAR 28k–42k/mo |
| Doha, Qatar | QAR 26k–40k/mo |
| Remote (US/EU) | USD 7k–12k/mo |
§FAQ
Is AZ-305 harder than AZ-104?
Yes, by a lot. AZ-104 tests knowledge; AZ-305 tests judgment. Different mental muscle.
Do I need AZ-104 before AZ-305?
Not officially required since Microsoft removed it as a prereq, but skipping AZ-104 knowledge is suicide.
How long is AZ-305 valid?
1 year, renewable free on Microsoft Learn.
What's the cost of AZ-305 in Bangladesh?
USD 165 standard. Same worldwide from Microsoft. Free vouchers occasionally via Ignite events.
Certified practitioner and lead curriculum architect at KNScert. Writes about cert strategy, exam tactics, and the real-world skills employers actually pay for.
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