az-305 Study Guide 2025: Updated Prep Materials
Get ready for the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification with our comprehensive 2025 study guide. Updated with the latest exam objectives, study strategies, and expert tips to help you pass on your first attempt.
Exam Quick Facts
Why This 2025 Guide?
Prepared with the latest exam objectives and proven study strategies
2025 Updated
Reflects the latest exam objectives and content updates for 2025
Exam Aligned
Covers all current exam domains with accurate weightings
Proven Strategies
Time-tested study techniques from successful candidates
Fast Track Path
Efficient study plan to pass on your first attempt
Complete Study Materials
Comprehensive 2025 study guide for Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Complete Study Guide for Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
The AZ-305 exam validates advanced Azure architecture skills for designing cloud and hybrid solutions. This expert-level certification demonstrates your ability to design identity, governance, monitoring, data storage, business continuity, and infrastructure solutions on Microsoft Azure. Passing this exam earns you the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential, recognized globally as a premier cloud architecture certification.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Cloud architects with 5+ years of IT experience
- Senior Azure administrators seeking advancement
- Enterprise solution architects migrating to Azure
- Technical leads responsible for Azure infrastructure design
- Professionals who have passed AZ-104 or equivalent experience
Prerequisites
- Azure Administrator Associate certification (AZ-104) or equivalent experience
- Strong understanding of Azure compute, networking, and storage services
- Experience with Azure governance, identity, and security
- Knowledge of infrastructure as code (ARM templates, Bicep, or Terraform)
- Familiarity with business requirements analysis and cost optimization
- Understanding of high availability, disaster recovery, and backup strategies
Official Resources
AZ-305 Official Exam Page
Official exam details, skills measured, and registration information
View ResourceAzure Solutions Architect Expert Certification
Complete certification overview and learning paths
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn AZ-305 Learning Path
Official instructor-led training course outline
View ResourceAzure Architecture Center
Best practices, reference architectures, and design patterns
View ResourceAzure Well-Architected Framework
Five pillars of architectural excellence: reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance efficiency
View ResourceAzure Governance Documentation
Management groups, policies, blueprints, and resource organization
View ResourceAzure Identity Documentation
Azure AD, identity protection, and access management
View ResourceAzure Storage Documentation
Blob, file, queue, table storage, and data lake solutions
View ResourceRecommended Courses
AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Microsoft Learn • 32 hours
View CourseMicrosoft Azure Solutions Architect: Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions
Pluralsight • 30+ hours
View CourseExam Prep: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305)
LinkedIn Learning • 12 hours
View CourseAZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
A Cloud Guru • 25 hours
View CourseAZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert Full Course
YouTube - Adam Marczak • 8 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
Exam Ref AZ-305 Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
by Ashish Agrawal and Ritesh Modi
Official Microsoft exam reference book covering all AZ-305 objectives with practice questions
View on AmazonMicrosoft Azure Architect Technologies and Design Complete Study Guide
by Benjamin Perkins and William Panek
Comprehensive study guide covering both AZ-303 and AZ-304 (predecessor exams) with relevant content for AZ-305
View on AmazonAzure Solutions Architect Expert Certification Study Guide
by Sjoukje Zaal and Daniel Krzyczkowski
Hands-on preparation guide with real-world scenarios and practice tests
View on AmazonDesigning and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions
by Avinash Valiramani and Bapi Chakraborty
Deep dive into Azure networking crucial for infrastructure design domain
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
Microsoft Official Practice Assessment
Free official practice questions from Microsoft to assess readiness
View ResourceMeasureUp AZ-305 Practice Test
Official Microsoft practice test provider with 150+ questions and detailed explanations
View ResourceAzure Free Account
12 months of free services plus $200 credit for 30 days to practice hands-on
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn Sandbox Environment
Temporary Azure subscriptions for completing Microsoft Learn modules without cost
View ResourceWhizlabs AZ-305 Practice Tests
Multiple practice exams with 400+ questions and detailed explanations
View ResourceAzure Architecture Center - Reference Architectures
Real-world architecture scenarios to practice design decision-making
View ResourceAzure Quickstart Templates
ARM templates for deploying common Azure scenarios for hands-on practice
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
Microsoft Tech Community - Azure
Official Microsoft community for Azure discussions, announcements, and Q&A
Join Communityr/AzureCertification
Reddit community focused on Azure certification preparation, exam experiences, and study tips
Join Communityr/Azure
General Azure community for technical discussions and architecture advice
Join CommunityMicrosoft Q&A for Azure
Official Microsoft Q&A platform for Azure technical questions
Join CommunityThomas Maurer's Blog
Azure MVP blog with architecture insights, tips, and exam preparation advice
Join CommunityJohn Savill's Technical Training
Comprehensive Azure technical content and certification preparation from Azure MVP
Join CommunityAzure Greg's Blog
Azure architect focusing on best practices and certification guidance
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Exam Format Understanding
- AZ-305 uses case studies with multiple questions per scenario - read scenarios carefully before answering
- Questions may include drag-and-drop, multiple choice, hotspot, and build list formats
- You cannot skip and return to case study questions once you move to the next section
- Expect 'choose all that apply' questions - read carefully to identify how many answers are required
- Some questions test your ability to identify what WON'T work rather than what will
Architecture Decision-Making
- Always consider the Well-Architected Framework pillars: reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance
- When multiple solutions could work, choose based on the scenario's priority (cost vs. performance vs. security)
- Understand the trade-offs: globally distributed vs. cost, serverless vs. control, managed vs. IaaS
- Practice drawing architecture diagrams for common scenarios (hub-spoke networks, multi-region apps, hybrid connectivity)
- Know the decision tree for choosing between similar services (Azure SQL Database vs. Managed Instance vs. SQL on VM)
Hands-On Practice
- Create at least 10-15 hands-on labs covering each domain - reading alone is insufficient
- Practice with Azure CLI and PowerShell, not just the portal - exam questions may reference cmdlets
- Deploy reference architectures from Azure Architecture Center and understand every component
- Set up Azure Policy, create custom RBAC roles, and configure monitoring alerts in your practice environment
- Practice designing network topologies with NSGs, route tables, and Azure Firewall rules
Service-Specific Knowledge
- Memorize Azure service limits and quotas - questions may test whether a design exceeds limits
- Know SKU differences and when to use each tier (Basic, Standard, Premium) across services
- Understand which services support availability zones and which are automatically zone-redundant
- Learn the differences between Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door, and Traffic Manager
- Know authentication methods for each service (managed identity, SAS tokens, connection strings, Azure AD)
Cost Optimization Focus
- Understand Azure Reservations, Spot VMs, and savings plans for cost reduction
- Know storage tier pricing differences and lifecycle management policies
- Practice using the Azure Pricing Calculator for architecture scenarios
- Understand the cost implications of data egress, especially for multi-region architectures
- Learn Azure Hybrid Benefit and how to leverage existing on-premises licenses
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't over-architect - choose the simplest solution that meets requirements
- Watch for trick questions where the 'obvious' answer violates a stated requirement
- Read every word in scenarios - details like 'must not require code changes' or 'minimize administrative effort' change the answer
- Understand that 'high availability' and 'disaster recovery' are different requirements
- Don't assume all Azure services are available in all regions - some questions test region awareness
Final Preparation
- Take at least 3 full-length practice exams under timed conditions (100 minutes)
- Review the official exam skills outline the day before and ensure you can explain each topic
- Create comparison charts for similar services (storage options, compute options, database options)
- Watch for updates to exam objectives - Azure evolves rapidly and exams are updated quarterly
- Join study groups or find a study partner to discuss complex architecture scenarios
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early for online exams to complete system checks and workspace scan
- 2Read the entire case study scenario before attempting questions - don't rush
- 3Budget approximately 1.5-2 minutes per question, but case studies may require more time
- 4Flag difficult questions for review if you're in a non-case study section
- 5Remember that case study sections are final - you cannot return once you proceed
- 6Look for keywords in questions: 'minimize cost', 'maximize performance', 'highest availability'
- 7If unsure between two answers, choose the most secure or most managed option
- 8Don't panic if you see a technology you haven't studied - use architectural principles to reason through
- 9Use the whiteboard feature (if online) to sketch network diagrams or list requirements
- 10Trust your preparation - your first instinct is usually correct; don't second-guess excessively
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert 2025 Study Guide FAQs
az-305 is a professional certification from Microsoft Azure that validates expertise in microsoft azure solutions architect expert technologies and concepts. The official exam code is AZ-305.
The az-305 Study Guide 2025 includes updated content reflecting the latest exam changes, new technologies, and best practices. It covers all current exam objectives and domains.
Yes, the 2025 az-305 study guide has been updated with new content, revised exam objectives, and the latest industry trends. It reflects all changes made to the AZ-305 exam.
Start by reviewing the exam objectives in the 2025 guide, then work through each section systematically. Combine your study with practice exams to reinforce your learning.
More 2025 Resources
Complete your exam preparation with these resources