About AZ-305 Exam
About the Microsoft AZ-305 Exam
The Microsoft AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam is an expert-level certification that measures a candidate’s ability to design cloud and hybrid infrastructure solutions on Microsoft Azure. It’s a core requirement for earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential.
This certification is ideal for experienced IT professionals, cloud architects, and solution designers who are responsible for translating business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable cloud solutions.
To attempt the AZ-305 exam, candidates should already be certified in AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator, or have equivalent knowledge and hands-on experience.
Why Choose the Microsoft AZ-305 Certification?
The AZ-305 certification offers multiple benefits:
- Validates Expert-Level Skills – Confirms advanced knowledge of Azure architecture, governance, networking, and storage.
- Highly Recognized Credential – Recognized by top organizations seeking skilled Azure cloud architects.
- Career Advancement – Opens the door to senior roles like Cloud Solutions Architect, Azure Consultant, and Infrastructure Lead.
- High Salary Potential – Azure architects earn an average salary of $135,000+ annually.
- A Step Toward Specialization – Helps transition into focused Azure areas like security, DevOps, and data engineering.
Who Should Take the AZ-305 Exam?
This exam is designed for:
- IT Professionals with experience in networking, virtualization, identity, security, and governance.
- Cloud Solution Architects responsible for infrastructure planning and design.
- Developers and Engineers transitioning into architecture and infrastructure design roles.
Prerequisites:
- Familiarity with Azure administrative tasks (via AZ-104 or real-world experience).
- Strong understanding of core Azure services, networking, identity, and governance.
Microsoft AZ-305 Exam Format and Details
Here’s what you can expect:
- Number of Questions: 40–60
- Question Types: Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, case studies, and scenario-based questions
- Exam Duration: 120 minutes
- Passing Score: 700/1000
- Exam Fee: $165 USD
- Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, and more
Key Topics Covered in the AZ-305 Exam
The AZ-305 exam covers four core domains:
Domain | Weight |
---|---|
Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions | 25–30% |
Design Data Storage Solutions | 20–25% |
Design Business Continuity Solutions | 10–15% |
Design Infrastructure Solutions | 30–35% |
1. Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions
- Azure Active Directory (AD), Conditional Access
- RBAC, Azure Policy, and Blueprints
- Logging, alerting, and monitoring using Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
2. Design Data Storage Solutions
- Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, Cosmos DB
- Data archiving, high availability, and redundancy
- Data integration and migration planning
3. Design Business Continuity Solutions
- Disaster Recovery and High Availability
- Azure Site Recovery, Backup, and failover strategies
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and RTO/RPO requirements
4. Design Infrastructure Solutions
- Azure networking components: VNet, Load Balancer, Application Gateway
- Compute solutions: VMs, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure App Services
- Hybrid and multi-cloud architecture planning
Career Opportunities After Passing AZ-305
Earning the AZ-305 certification positions you for mid to senior-level cloud roles, especially those focused on architecture and design. As organizations increasingly rely on scalable cloud infrastructure, professionals who can design secure, cost-effective, and scalable Azure solutions are in high demand.
Job Role | Description | Average Salary (USD) |
---|---|---|
Azure Solutions Architect | Designs end-to-end cloud architectures on Azure, focusing on scalability, security, and performance. | $130,000 – $160,000 |
Cloud Infrastructure Engineer | Implements and supports cloud-based systems with a focus on infrastructure design. | $110,000 – $135,000 |
Cloud Consultant | Advises businesses on Azure adoption, cost optimization, and solution strategy. | $100,000 – $125,000 |
Enterprise Architect | Aligns business goals with cloud technologies and helps design enterprise-grade Azure solutions. | $140,000 – $170,000 |
Azure DevOps Engineer | While more aligned with AZ-400, architects with AZ-305 often work closely with DevOps teams on solution delivery. | $115,000 – $145,000 |
IT Solutions Designer | Focuses on creating secure, compliant solutions using Azure services and hybrid environments. | $105,000 – $130,000 |
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