Microsoft Azure Solution Architects are responsible for planning, creating, and executing business arrangements as well as assisting in the development of new technologies in an organization. This role includes the tasks of engaging with other departments in order to put new plans and objectives into action. However, to get into this role, one step is to pass the Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-303) Exam. Many candidates get stuck in the preparation part and some of them are confused about how to start preparing for the AZ-303 exam.
In order to get a solution to this, we will cover all the major topic areas, exam format, useful study resources, and steps to pass the exam. So, let’s begin with our exam study guide!
Preparation Guide for Microsoft Azure AZ-303 Exam
Before proceeding towards the exam preparation for the Microsoft AZ-303 exam, it is important to understand the knowledge base you need to have.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or software engineering is required to become a Microsoft Azure Architect. However, while no prior experience is necessary, knowledge and understanding will be beneficial. And when it comes to architects for Azure Solutions,
- Firstly, they possess the exceptional focus, creativity, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
- Secondly, they’re in charge of advising stakeholders and translating company needs into safe, scalable, and dependable cloud solutions.
- Lastly, to deploy solutions, they may work with cloud administrators, cloud DBAs, and clients.
Moving on to the exam!
Step 1: Understanding the Microsoft AZ-303 Exam Details
The best way to cover all of the essential abilities is to become certified. This will improve your knowledge and talents while also increasing your market worth.
The Microsoft AZ-303 exam is for candidates who are capable of designing and implementing Microsoft Azure systems, encompassing features such as computing, network, storage, and security. This exam requires intermediate-level Azure administration abilities as well as a working knowledge of Azure development and DevOps procedures.
The next important part of the exam details comes the knowledge requirement and exam format.
Knowledge requirement for the exam:
For passing the exam with a good score, you must have
- Firstly, extensive knowledge and expertise in IT operations, such as
- networking, virtualization, identity, and security
- business continuity
- disaster recovery
- data platform
- budgeting, and governance.
- Secondly, the ability to manage how individual selections influence the overall solution.
- Lastly, familiarity with Azure development and DevOps procedures, as well as Azure management capabilities.
Step 2: Exploring the AZ-303 Exam Format
Microsoft AZ-303 is the prerequisite exam for becoming Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. However, this exam will have 40-60 number questions. To pass this exam, it is necessary to obtain a score of a minimum of 700. And, the exam is available in English, Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, German, and Chinese (Traditional) language. Lastly, you can schedule the exam at the cost of $165 USD*.
Before moving on to the exam topics for AZ-303, let’s take a look at the upcoming updates for this exam.
Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification Update:
- The AZ-303 exam will retire on MARCH 31, 2022. Exam AZ-305, a new exam, is now accessible. The following requirements must be met in order to receive the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification:
- First option is to earning or having a current Azure Administrator Associate certification and pass Exam AZ-305.
- Second is to pass the
- AZ-303 and AZ-305 exams, or
- AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams (before they retire on March 31, 2022)
As we all know exam topics and sections assist you in grasping the scope of the exam. So, let’s create a focus on the major exam topics!
Step 3: Focus on the Exam Topics
Exam topics are a learning resource that will be useful during exam preparation. It’s recommended to start studying for the AZ-303 exam by going over all of the parts and subsections included in the exam objectives. This includes the following:
1. Implement and monitor an Azure infrastructure
- Implementing cloud infrastructure monitoring
- Implement storage accounts
- Implementing VMs for Windows and Linux
- Automate deployment and configuration of resources
- Implement Azure Active Directory
- Implementing and managing hybrid identities
2. Implement management and security solutions
- Manage workloads in Azure
- Implement load balancing and network security
- Implementing and managing Azure governance solutions
3. Implement solutions for apps
- Implementing an application infrastructure
- Implementing container-based applications
4. Implement and manage data platforms
- Implementing NoSQL databases
- Implement Azure SQL databases
Step 4: Understand the concept more accurately with Learning Paths
Candidates for the Microsoft AZ-303 test can use Microsoft Learning Paths to assist them to understand the various concepts. Furthermore, you will be able to obtain skills and knowledge in a variety of areas by following the learning paths. You will get access to courses and modules for the Microsoft Azure AZ-303 exam, which will help you develop knowledge. The learning paths are:
1. Architecting network infrastructure in Azure
Learn the process of combining on-premises networks to Azure resources and create a secure, flexible network infrastructure on Azure.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of the,
- network principles such as IP addressing and routing
- And, Network access solutions, such as VPN.
2. Architecting storage infrastructure in Azure
Learn how to use Azure for architecting storage solutions for your apps.
3. Architecting compute infrastructure in Azure
Learn how you use Azure for creating a computing infrastructure and solutions for business process automation.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of,
- virtual machines,
- networking and storage concepts for virtual machines.
4. Architecting infrastructure operations in Azure
Learn how to use Azure to check, analyze, and manage the continuous operation of infrastructure.
5. Architecting a data platform in Azure
Learn how to create solutions for storing relational and NoSQL data by architecting a data platform in Azure.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of,
- relational databases
- NoSQL databases.
6. Using Azure to architect message brokering and serverless apps
Learn how to use Azure’s serverless application services and develop trustworthy communications for your apps.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of C#.
7. Architecting modern applications in Azure
Learn how to use Azure’s PaaS services for apps, caching, containers, and Kubernetes for building new applications.
8. Architecting API integration in Azure
Learn how to use Azure to construct API integration and give secure, scalable API access to apps.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of,
- REST-based APIs.
- C#.
9. Architecting migration, business continuity, and disaster recovery in Azure
Learn the process of,
- Firstly, moving resources to Azure,
- Secondly, how Azure provides site recovery for your apps.
- Lastly, understanding how apps perform on-premises amid service outages and load variations.
Prerequisites:
- Understanding of,
- virtual machines, backup and restore concepts
- high availability and autoscaling concepts
To get more clarity on this! Check the Microsoft AZ-303 exam tutorial.
Step 5: Using Microsoft Instructor-led Training of leveling up preparation
1. Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
This course will teach Solutions Architects the process of converting business demands into secure, scalable, and trustworthy solutions. The modules include subjects such as virtualization, automation, networking, storage, identity, security, data platform, and application infrastructure. Furthermore, this clarifies how actions made in each of these areas affect the ultimate result.
Suggested Audience
- This course is designed for IT professionals who have worked with Microsoft Azure solutions before.
- Secondly, you should have a strong understanding of IT operations, including networking, virtualization, identity management, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data platform, budgeting, and governance.
- Lastly, you should be familiar with Azure development and DevOps techniques, as well as advanced Azure management capabilities.
2. Microsoft Azure technologies for AWS architects
This course teaches Solutions Architects to translate business demands into secure, scalable, and reliable Azure-based solutions. The lessons include subjects such as virtualization, automation, networking, storage, identity, security, data platform, and application infrastructure. Furthermore, this clarifies how actions made in each of these areas affect the ultimate result.
Suggested Audience
- This course is for AWS Cloud Architects who want to learn how to design for Microsoft Azure and have expertise in designing and implementing AWS-based solutions.
Step 6: Taking help from reference books
Books may be highly helpful while studying for any exam. This will aid in the development of your attention and self-study abilities. The finest books for Microsoft Azure Solution Architects are as follows:
- Firstly, AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies by Timothy Warner (Author), Mike Pfeiffer (Author), Derek Schauland (Author), Nicole Stevens (Author)
- Secondly, Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies and Design Guide: Exams AZ-303 and AZ-304 Paperback by William Panek (Author), Benjamin Perkins
Step 7: Using Practice Tests
Starting by evaluating yourself with practice exams is the most efficient way to enhance your preparation. You can take these tests once you’ve finished with the topics. This will not only assist you in improving your replying abilities but will also provide you with a rapid evaluation of your strengths and flaws. There are a few organizations, though, that provide one-of-a-kind and free practice exams to get you started.
Tips for the exam
- Learning about a new subject requires conceptual interaction with the material. When you have to think about the various parts, your mind is forced to process the data and make connections between them.
- Making a study map with all the details and topics is a smart method to achieve this. This will assist you in gaining a better start by following a step-by-step procedure.
- Further, when you will first start taking the practice examinations, there can be situations where the questions can be difficult. But, it’s critical to concentrate on the question and read it completely. That is to say, a single word can sometimes alter the outcome of an inquiry.
- Taking an assumption of the AZ-303 exam, where if for any questions you have no idea what the answer is, just take a deep breath and attempt to rule out any incorrect replies in this case. Frequently, one or two of the responses are completely incorrect, leaving you with only two options.
- If you’re still puzzled, make a guess. A bad response does not result in a loss of points. Never, leave a question unanswered!
Expert Corner
We covered every part of the Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies AZ-303 exam, including its details, format, topics, and how to start your solution architect journey using study resources, in the above sections. This exam will test your knowledge, competence, and ability to do a variety of duties. To put it another way, you must focus on all of the essential areas and use training methods to level up your preparation. Create a study schedule and pattern based on the materials you’ve been given, and then begin the preparation process progressively.
