Azure AZ-305

The passing score is 700. Microsoft reports scores on a scaled basis, so 700 is not a simple percentage of correct answers. Because question weighting varies, aim to be comfortable across every domain rather than maximizing raw correct answers in your strongest area.

You must first earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification; AZ-305 is the one required exam on top of it. Beyond the formal prerequisite, Microsoft recommends advanced experience with IT operations, Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes before attempting the exam.

Microsoft does not publish the item count or duration on the exam page. Use the exam sandbox and the practice assessment linked from the exam page to see the interaction types (case studies, drag-and-drop, multiple choice) so the format itself is not a surprise on test day.

Pricing is based on the country or region in which the exam is proctored, so there is no single global figure. Microsoft notes that pricing excludes applicable taxes and is subject to change, and that you should confirm exact pricing with the exam provider before registering.

Retake terms and waiting periods are governed by Microsoft's exam policies and FAQ rather than the exam overview page, so check those policies before scheduling a second attempt. Plan your first attempt as if it is the only one: work through the study guide objectives and practice assessments until you are consistently comfortable.

Yes. Microsoft role-based certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert must be renewed, but renewal is free: you pass an online assessment on Microsoft Learn to update your skills for the current job role. Keep an eye on the renewal window in your Learn profile so the credential does not lapse.

The exam is available in English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), and Italian. The English version was updated on April 17, 2026, and localized versions are typically updated about eight weeks later, so a localized exam may briefly measure older objectives.

Follow the study guide's weighting rather than studying alphabetically. Design infrastructure solutions carries the largest share (30–35%), followed by identity, governance, and monitoring (25–30%), data storage (20–25%), and business continuity (15–20%). Start with your weakest high-weight area, and use the instructor-led Design Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions course if you prefer structured delivery.

Two patterns dominate: treating it as an administration exam (memorizing portal steps instead of justifying a design trade-off), and skimming the case studies before reading the requirements. Practice stating why one service satisfies a stated constraint better than another, and rehearse mapping requirements to Well-Architected Framework pillars before answering.