The AZ-300 (Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies) has been retired and replaced by the AZ-305 (Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions). AZ-305 covers the same core competencies — designing Azure compute, storage, networking, security, and identity solutions — and is the current path to the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.

The AZ-305 exam contains 40–60 questions, which may include multiple-choice, case studies, drag-and-drop, and hot-area question types. The exact count varies per exam session. You have 180 minutes (3 hours) to complete the exam.

A passing score of 700 out of 1000 is required for the AZ-305 exam. Microsoft scores are scaled, so 700 does not equal 70% of questions correct — the exact conversion depends on question difficulty weighting.

AZ-305 covers four main domains: designing identity, governance, and monitoring solutions; designing data storage solutions; designing business continuity solutions; and designing infrastructure solutions. Azure services tested include Azure AD, Azure Storage, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Front Door, and Azure Site Recovery.

To earn the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, you must pass both AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) and AZ-305. The AZ-104 exam validates hands-on skills in managing Azure resources, while AZ-305 tests architectural design capabilities.

Most candidates with intermediate Azure experience spend 4–8 weeks preparing for AZ-305, dedicating 1–2 hours daily. Focus on hands-on labs in the Azure portal, Microsoft Learn modules, and practice exams that simulate the case-study format. Prior experience with AZ-104-level tasks is strongly recommended.