Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305
Follow a topic roadmap built from the published exam blueprint, with lessons, practice exercises and practice exams.
Validates expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions on Microsoft Azure, covering compute, network, storage, monitoring, and security.
What you'll learn
Every objective AZ-305 publishes, and what it asks you to be able to do.
- Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutionsDesign authentication and authorization solutions. Design governance. Design solutions for logging and monitoring.
- Design data storage solutionsDesign data storage solutions for relational data. Design data storage solutions for semi-structured and unstructured data. Design data integration.
- Design business continuity solutionsDesign for high availability. Design solutions for backup and disaster recovery.
- Design infrastructure solutionsDesign network solutions. Design compute solutions. Design an application architecture. Design migrations.
The exam at a glance
- Length
- 2 hours
- Validity
- 1 year
- Style
- Multiple choice
questions only. Based on AZ-305.
Sitting the exam
The part nobody publishes in a syllabus. For AZ-305 the logistics are study strategy: what you are allowed to read while the clock runs changes how you should practise, and what a second attempt costs changes when you should book.
Where you sit it
- The cost of the test depends upon the nation or area where it is administered.
Booking it
- Signing up with a personal MSA profile is strongly advised.
- Your testing history cannot be recovered if you use a work or school account and subsequently depart your company.
Read off the official exam page on 10 September 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm anything you are about to spend money on.
What the exam covers
Microsoft publishes the objectives but not a weight for each one, so treat these as equally likely to come up.
Course content
15 topics
1. Azure Architecture Fundamentals
Core Azure architectural concepts, regions, availability zones, resource organization, and the Well-Architected Framework pillars
2. Identity and Access Foundation
Azure Active Directory fundamentals, identity types, and basic access control concepts needed for architectural decisions
3. Design Authentication and Authorization Solutions
4. Design Governance
- Design governance
5. Design Logging and Monitoring Solutions
- Design solutions for logging and monitoring
6. Azure Networking Foundation
Virtual networks, subnets, IP addressing, NSGs, and basic connectivity patterns required for infrastructure design
7. Design Network Solutions
- Design network solutions
8. Design Compute Solutions
- Design compute solutions
9. Design Application Architecture
- Design an application architecture
10. Design Data Storage Solutions for Relational Data
- Design data storage solutions for relational data
11. Design Data Storage Solutions for Semi-structured and Unstructured Data
- Design data storage solutions for semi-structured and unstructured data
12. Design Data Integration
- Design data integration
13. Design for High Availability
- Design for high availability
14. Design Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions
- Design solutions for backup and disaster recovery
15. Design Migrations
- Design migrations
What to know before you start
- Advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance
- Experience with Azure administration
- Experience with Azure development
- DevOps processes
Other Microsoft certifications
All Microsoft certificationsFrequently asked questions
How much does the AZ-305 exam cost?
Fee on Microsoft's site, and worth checking there before you book.
How long is the AZ-305 exam?
2 hours. questions only.
How many questions are on the AZ-305 exam?
questions only. The sitting is 2 hours long. Check the current count with Microsoft before you book.
How long is AZ-305 valid?
1 year. Check Microsoft's recertification route before it lapses.
Is the AZ-305 exam hands-on?
No. It is a written exam, so the skill it tests is recognising the right design or command rather than executing it under time pressure.
What is on the AZ-305 exam?
4 objectives: Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions, Design data storage solutions, Design business continuity solutions, Design infrastructure solutions. Microsoft does not publish a weight per objective.
What should I know before starting AZ-305?
Advanced experience and knowledge of IT operations including networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platforms, and governance. Experience with Azure administration. Experience with Azure development. DevOps processes.
Exam details from Microsoft, checked August 2026. Always confirm on their page before booking.
What learners say about Acelro
About Acelro rather than the AZ-305 exam: what learners made of the gap analysis, the roadmap and the projects.
“The roadmap makes me focus on a learning curve, no matter the length.”
“Acelro has been really great for me, an inspiring experience. I've gained a lot of confidence doing projects I thought were rocket science.”
“The gap analysis maps your actual skills against what the current job market is asking for. Nobody else made it that clear where I stood.”