Microsoft AZ-305 Real Exam Questions [Jan 2026 Update]

What is the Microsoft AZ-305 exam, and what will you learn from it?

The Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) exam is designed for professionals who want to validate their expertise in designing and implementing Azure solutions. 

It is ideal for solutions architects, cloud engineers, and senior IT professionals responsible for translating business requirements into scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions.

By preparing for and passing the AZ-305 exam, you will gain expertise in designing infrastructure, identity, security, data, and application solutions on Azure, as well as optimizing networking, cost, and monitoring. 

Practicing with the best AZ-305 exam questions at Cert Empire ensures you are prepared for real-world scenario-based questions and practical implementation challenges.

Exam Snapshot

Prerequisites before taking the AZ-305 exam

Candidates should ideally have:

• Experience in designing and implementing cloud solutions using Azure.
• Understanding of identity, networking, storage, compute, and security architectures in Azure.
• Familiarity with governance, monitoring, and cost optimization strategies.
• Completion of AZ-900, AZ-104, and AZ-204 is highly recommended for foundational and intermediate Azure knowledge.

Main objectives and domains you will study for AZ-305

The AZ-305 exam focuses on designing solutions for complex cloud architectures. The main domains include:

1. Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions (25–30%) – Authentication, RBAC, policies, monitoring, and alerting.
2. Design Data Storage Solutions (15–20%) – Relational and non-relational storage, data integration, and backup strategies.
3. Design Business Continuity Solutions (10–15%) – Disaster recovery, high availability, and backup.
4. Design Infrastructure Solutions (30–35%) – Compute, networking, and application architecture, including scaling and security.
5. Design Application Architecture (10–15%) – Microservices, serverless applications, and integration patterns.

Topics to cover in each AZ-305 exam domain

Design Identity, Governance, and Monitoring Solutions:

• Implement Azure AD, conditional access, and RBAC
• Define governance policies and resource locks
• Design monitoring, logging, and alerting solutions

Design Data Storage Solutions:

• Select appropriate data storage technologies (SQL, Cosmos DB, Blob Storage)
• Implement data retention, backup, and recovery strategies
• Optimize storage for performance and cost

Design Business Continuity Solutions:

• Implement high availability and failover strategies
• Configure disaster recovery plans and multi-region deployments
• Ensure resiliency for mission-critical workloads

Design Infrastructure Solutions:

• Design virtual networks, subnets, and hybrid connectivity
• Implement compute scaling solutions (VMs, AKS, App Services)
• Apply security controls, encryption, and network segmentation

Design Application Architecture:

• Design microservices and serverless solutions
• Integrate APIs, messaging, and event-driven architectures
• Optimize applications for performance, scalability, and cost

Changes in the latest version of AZ-305

The latest AZ-305 exam emphasizes modern cloud architectures, hybrid connectivity, and advanced governance. Microsoft updated content to include Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), serverless solutions, advanced security, and cost optimization strategies. Candidates are expected to design solutions reflecting enterprise-level requirements.

Register and schedule your AZ-305 exam

You can register through the Microsoft Certification portal. Exams are available online with a proctor or at authorized testing centers.

AZ-305 exam cost, and can you get any discounts?

The exam costs $165 USD. Discounts may be available for students, educators, or Microsoft Learn partners. Bundled study resources and practice questions from Cert Empire can help you save costs and improve exam readiness.

Exam policies you should know before taking AZ-305

• Present a valid government-issued ID.
• Arrive or log in 30 minutes early for check-in.
• Electronic devices, notes, and calculators are not allowed.
• Review retake policies if the first attempt is unsuccessful.

What can you expect on your AZ-305 exam day?

• Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions focusing on designing enterprise-grade Azure solutions.
• Practical design scenarios covering compute, networking, data, security, and monitoring.
• 150 minutes to complete the exam.

Practicing with the best AZ-305 exam questions at Cert Empire ensures you are ready for real-world scenario-based questions

Plan your AZ-305 study schedule effectively with 5 Study Tips

Tip 1: Review the official AZ-305 exam blueprint in detail.
Tip 2: Create hands-on labs for compute, storage, networking, and security solutions.
Tip 3: Practice scenario-based questions using Cert Empire resources.
Tip 4: Participate in study groups or forums for design discussions.
Tip 5: Take timed mock exams to simulate real exam conditions and improve time management.

Best study resources you can use to prepare for AZ-305

• Microsoft Learn: AZ-305 learning paths and labs
• Azure free tier for hands-on design and testing
• Cert Empire’s curated AZ-305 practice questions
• Video tutorials from Microsoft and trusted online learning platforms
• Azure architecture and solution design forums

Career opportunities you can explore after earning AZ-305

• Azure Solutions Architect – designing enterprise-scale cloud solutions.
• Cloud Infrastructure Architect – planning hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.
• Cloud Consultant – advising organizations on Azure best practices.
• DevOps Architect – integrating infrastructure and application design with CI/CD pipelines.

AZ-305 certification demonstrates your ability to design scalable, secure, and highly available solutions in Azure, opening doors to senior cloud architecture roles.

Certifications to go for after completing AZ-305

• AZ-700: Azure Networking Engineer Expert
• AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate
• DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate (for data-focused architectures)

These certifications build on AZ-305 skills and prepare professionals for advanced roles in Azure architecture, networking, and security.

How does AZ-305 compare to other beginner-level cloud certifications?

AZ-305 is an advanced-level, solution-architect-focused certification, unlike AZ-900 (fundamentals) or AZ-104 (administration). It is comparable to AWS Solutions Architect – Professional or Google Professional Cloud Architect, targeting professionals responsible for enterprise cloud solution design.

Practicing with the best AZ-305 exam questions at Cert Empire ensures you gain practical architecture experience, understand scenario-based questions, and confidently pass the exam while mastering real-world Azure solution design skills.

Why Practice Exam Questions Are Essential for Passing Microsoft AZ-305 Exam in 2026

Passing the AZ-305 certification isn’t about memorizing terms or rot learning, it’s about developing the aptitude required of a cloud solutions architect. Loaded with detailed explanations and extensive references, Cert Empire’s AZ-305 Exam Questions are designed to help you think like an actual Microsoft Azure architect. These practice questions mirror the Microsoft exam pattern, guiding you through what’s required to pass the exam on your first attempt.

Prepare Smarter with Exam Familiar Quiz

The AZ-305 exam is challenging and broad, but consistent practice transforms that difficulty into strength. By regularly solving real exam-style questions, you’ll improve your pacing, reduce anxiety, and recognize recurring question logic. Over time, the format will feel second nature, allowing you to focus on accuracy instead of uncertainty on exam day.

Master Every Domain with Real Exam Logic

The AZ-305 practice questions cover all official domains in the correct proportion. This means you’re not just preparing one domain, but all of them, making your exam preparation comprehensive. If needed, you can learn more about Microsoft certifications to get a clearer sense of the available learning paths.

What’s Included in Our AZ-305 Exam Prep Material

It’s not just a question blob that we offer, but a whole experience that transforms your exam preparation. Here is exactly what you get:

PDF Exam Questions

• Instant Access: Start preparing right after purchase with immediate delivery.
• Study Anywhere: Access the soft form questions from your phone, laptop, or tablet.
• Printable Format: Ideal for offline review and personal note-taking, and especially if you prefer to study from hard-form documents.

Interactive Practice Simulator

• Question Simulation: Our online AZ-305 exam practice simulator is designed to help you interactively review and prepare for the exam with tailored features such as show/hide answers, see correct answers etc.
• Flashcard-like Practice: Save your toughest questions and revisit them until you’ve mastered each domain.
• Progress Tracking: The progress tracking feature of our quiz simulator lets you resume your study journey right from where you left.

3 Months of Unlimited Access

Enjoy full, unrestricted access for three months, long enough to practice, revise, and retake simulations until you are satisfied with your results.

Regular Updates

Cloud architecture and Azure infrastructure evolve constantly, so being current is the cornerstone of AZ-305 exam prep. Being mindful of that, CertEmpire’s certified exam coaches keep the content of the practice questions up to date with the latest exam requirements so that you always have the latest exam questions and resources available to you.

Free Practice Tests

To make the decision easy for you, we offer free practice tests for the AZ-305 exam. Look at the right side-bar and you will find the free practice test button that will take you to a sample free AZ-305 practice test. Go through the free AZ-305 exam questions section and discover the richness of our practice questions.

Free Exam Guides

Cert Empire offers free exam preparation guides for AZ-305. You can find a trove of AZ-305 related exam prep resources at our website in our blog section. From tailored study plans for success in AZ-305 to exam day guidelines, we have covered it all. Cherry on the top, you do not have to be our customer to access this material, and it is free for all.

Important Note

Our AZ-305 Exam Questions are updated regularly to match the latest Microsoft exam version.

The Cert Empire content team, led by certified AZ-305 professionals, has taken the newest release and added updated concepts, frameworks, and Azure design architectures to ensure relevance.

✔ Each question includes detailed reasoning for both correct and incorrect options, helping you understand the full context behind every answer.
✔ Every solution links to official Microsoft references, allowing you to expand your knowledge through verified documentation.
✔ Mobile-Compatible – Both the PDF and simulator versions are easy to use across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even in printed form.

The AZ-305 remains one of the most respected and advanced certifications in cloud computing, proving mastery of Azure infrastructure, identity, security, and cost optimization.