Exam AZ-305 (beta): Prove your skills as an Azure solutions architect

[Liberty Munson]

Updated 11/29/2021

Discount code usage limit has been reached and is no longer available.

We recently shared that we’re Reimagining the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification. And now I’ve got more great news: Exam AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (beta) is here!

Candidates for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification are required to pass the new Exam AZ-305 (beta) and earn or have a current Azure Administrator Associate certification.

Is this the right certification for you?

If you have subject matter expertise in designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including compute, network, storage, monitoring, and security, this certification is for you.

Azure solutions architects advise stakeholders and translate business requirements into designs for secure, scalable, and reliable Azure solutions. They partner with developers, administrators, and other professionals responsible for implementing solutions on Azure. Does this describe your workday? If so, this certification—and the new beta exam—could be for you.

Ready to prove your skills?

Take advantage of the discounted beta exam offer. The first 300 people who take Exam AZ-305 (beta) on or before December 17, 2021, can get 80 percent off market price!

To receive the discount, when you register for the exam and are prompted for payment, use code AZ305OAKDALE. This is not a private access code. The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. As noted, you must take the exam on or before December 17, 2021. Please note that this beta exam is not available in Turkey, Pakistan, India, or China.

Before you register for Exam AZ-305 (beta), choose the path that’s best for you

Whether you’re well along on your certification journey or you’re just starting out, to become a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, choose one of the following options:

• If you’re just starting your journey, earn or have a current Azure Administrator Associate certification and pass Exam AZ-305 (beta).
• If you have a current Azure Administrator Associate certification, you’re halfway there—just pass Exam AZ-305 (beta).
• If you’ve already passed Exam AZ-303, pass the new Exam AZ-305 (beta).
• If you’ve already passed Exam AZ-304, be sure to pass Exam AZ-303 before it retires on March 31, 2022.
• Pass both Exam AZ-303 and Exam AZ-304 before they retire on March 31, 2022.
• If you’ve already earned the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification and it’s time to renew it, don’t take Exam AZ-305. Instead, renew your certification by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn. For instructions, check your Certification Dashboard.

Get ready to take Exam AZ-305 (beta)

• Review the Exam AZ-305 (beta) page for details. The Exam AZ-305 skills outline details the key topics covered on the exam.
• Refresh your architecture design skills with this Microsoft Learn collection of learning paths.
• Want more in-depth training? Course AZ-305T00: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions is now available. Connect with Microsoft Learning Partners in your area for in-person training.
• Gear up with the AZ-305 Study Guide created by Microsoft Cloud Advocate @thomasmaurer.
• Need other preparation ideas? Check out my blog post Just How Does One Prepare for Beta Exams?

Did you know that you can take any role-based exam online? Online exams—taken from your home or office—can be less hassle, less stress, and even less worry than traveling to a test center—especially if you’re adequately prepared for what to expect. To find out more, read my blog post Online proctored exams: What to expect and how to prepare.

Ready to get started?

Remember, the number of spots for the discounted beta exam is limited to the first 300 candidates who take Exam AZ-305 (beta) on or before December 17, 2021.

Related announcements
Level up with Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Finding the right Microsoft Azure certification for you

[Néstor Reverón]

Thanks

[Danourcloudnetwork]

Booked and ready to go!

[Ultraseven]

I'm so in there! 

[HuuNguyen]

@Liberty Munson is this code same or difference with MCT Beta Exam Codes?

I have a MCT account, I have just submitted "100% Discount Beta Voucher Request Form for MCTs", but I have not received the code via email. 

Please advise in detail, thanks.

[SunilTallapaneni23]

Thank you booked and looking forward

[SalmanAhmed]

I have successfully booked the AZ-305 exam with an 80% discount! my humbled thanks to @Liberty Munson for sharing this comprehensive information regarding the newly published exam.

[Abhijeetuk]

Thank you, looking forward to pass this one! az-305

[Liberty Munson]

@HuuNguyen The MCT code is different, and I do not manage that process. Please work with the MCT team if you have issues or concerns.

[Sakibq13]

Hello Team,

I’ve waited for a month for this Beta exam and now I can’t apply for the exam because it’s not available in India. May I know the reason behind it? @Liberty Munson 

[elyusubov]

Thank you  @Liberty Munson for sharing!
Will be happy to go after this beta exam 

[Liberty Munson]

@Sakibq13 You can take the exam in India; however, the beta code will not work. We have excluded the countries where we have seen the most fraud from the beta program. We regularly review the data, and, unfortunately, India, China, Pakistan, and Turkey continue to show the highest levels of fraud. 

[HuuNguyen]

Thanks @Liberty Munson 

[fvillanuevape]

Thanks

[carlarjenkins]

Booked my exam. Thanks for the code!

[reno-]

Thanks for sharing! (and the blog in general)

[SandeepKNair]

thank you Microsoft, @Liberty Munson and @SandraMarin for helping us grow our skills.

[Sakibq13]

@Liberty Munson @Thank you for your response. why should we all suffer for the fraud done by others. Anyways I’ll schedule the exams without the discount. Thanks

[Emanuel_Yu_Corella]

Ready!! Thanks for the discount!!

[shark2020]

Cheers 

[Guillaume Compagnon]

As employee , My company has got a 100% discount 

it is unvailable for the AZ-305 to claim it 

@Liberty Munson  could you set up the 100% Company discount for the AZ305 ?

[Nithin Mohan Thattiot Kadumberi]

As many of you ask about utilizing your 100% vouchers for this BETA exam, a sincere question why do you want to waste your 100% voucher for this exam, when it is in BETA. You could save that for another exam, you are fond of completing and use the 80% discount voucher now and pay 20% out of pocket, which is not a huge amount at all? 

Even to the MCT's why waste your 100% voucher for this BETA exam? 

Sincere questions and answers, Gentle Men!.. 

[Julian Sharp]

@HuuNguyen The MCT codes are all sent out together, I suspect in a few days' time. So, you won't know if you have received one as they typically tend to run out within hours of the release. I am waiting to see if I get a code?

@Nithin Mohan Thattiot Kadumberi - the MCT codes can only be used on the specific exam so no waste there

[NLBU1]

Hi @Liberty Munson 

I don't have any Azure Certifications. Is the Azure Administrator Associate a prerequisite or can I just take the Exam AZ-305 (beta) exam?

Cheers,

Neil

[Liberty Munson]

@Guillaume Compagnon The program you referenced does not allow the discounts for beta exams. That is a programmatic decision. For a variety of reasons, that is unlikely to change.

@NLBU1 You can take AZ-305 without having the Admin certification, but you cannot earn the architect cert until you have met all the requirements which are Azure Admin cert AND AZ-305.

[Julian Sharp]

@NLBU1 There is nothing that technically prevents you from taking the EXPERT level exam AZ-305 but you will most likely fail unless you are highly experienced in Azure. You should take the ASSOCIATE level exam in the certification pathway first, and if you have never taken a Microsoft certification exam you should start with the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals.

[NLBU1]

Thanks @Julian Sharp , really appreciate the prompt and helpful response. Will take it on board. Thank you!

[NLBU1]

Thanks @Liberty Munson - that really helps, much appreciated

[HuuNguyen]

Thanks @Julian Sharp for your reply and really appreciate your helpful message. 

Tell me if your code come first :)

[CloudFirstcompany]

I have it booked and ready to go..

I think results may take up to 8-10 weeks?

Either way I first started on this journey about 1999 with an MCSE it NT.4..

Has anybody else who has it booked gone back that far, just wondering how you find the newer exams and training?

Anyone else from Ireland in the 300?

Tony

[MartinDallaire]

Oh man, I saw this way too late :(

Any chance that you may drop more discount codes?

[NLBU1]

Thank you!!

[quilaztli]

Ooo it seems "the use limit has been met" Thanks anyway!

[bhanunischal320]

Why can't I book Azure AZ-503 Beta exam in Canada? I tried many location and it's showing unavailable even for March/April 2022

[gmsantos]

After taking the exam I marked a good amount of items for feedback. Unfortunately, I couldn’t submit then all because the time as out. @Liberty Munson what’s your thoughts about extending the feedback time for beta exams? I think 15 minutes is too short sometimes.

[SNadim]

Can we please grade these?

[Julian Sharp]

@SNadim Beta exams take 8-12 weeks to be scored and I would not be expecting a result until mid-February at the earliest

[ho1375]

Seems AZ-305 is now live.  Look forward to the result.

[David_Li980]

hello , @Liberty Munson  do we only take AZ305 to get Azure solutions architect certificate after Mar 31 ?

see the second entry.now we need to take AZ303 plus AZ305 to get the Azure solutions architect certificate , but AZ303 will be retired after Mar 31.does that mean we only need to take AZ305 to get Azure solutions architect certificate  starting from Apr 1,2022.Many thanks 

[David_Li980]

@Liberty Munson   can we only take AZ305 to get the  Azure solutions architect after Apr 1,2022? thanks 

[SNadim]

I found out I passed on Wednesday. But says issued November 2021 and expires November 2022. That's really disappointing that's it's only valid for less than a year and would have to start renewal the same year. I am Azure Admin already and renewed that and even that goes on longer active

[Julian Sharp]

@David_Li980 No it means you need Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104 as well

[Julian Sharp]

@SNadim all role-based certifications are only valid for a year from when you take them. However, renewals are online and free. I renewed my AZ-220 yesterday and it took 20 minutes

[Liberty Munson]

@SNadim You likely took the exam in November, as a result because the certification is currently in market and this is just another path to earning it, your earn date will be the date you met all the requirements for the certification (the date you took and passed, it turns out) this exam. As Julian mentioned, though, the cert renewal process is free and available through Microsoft Learn. We have simplified the process to ensure you can keep your certification up to date.

[Deleted]

Discount code used back in Early December and successful exam pass email received last week. Great incentive to get people engaged with new exams - please release more discount offers!

[Petercthomas]

Discount code used back in Early December and successful exam pass email received last month. Great incentive to get people engaged with new exams - please release more discount offers!