Aiming to attain the role of a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect? Secure your path by successfully conquering the Microsoft AZ-301 Exam. The Microsoft Solutions Architect Certification is thoughtfully designed to evaluate your expertise and proficiencies demanded in the professional realm. It encompasses a comprehensive spectrum ranging from virtualization, networking, and data management to security, identity, budgeting, disaster recovery, and governance. Acquiring the Microsoft Azure Solution Architect certification mandates the successful completion of both AZ-300 and AZ-301 exams.
Microsoft AZ-301 exam is retired. A new replacement exam Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) is available.
Embarking on a cloud computing career journey unveils a plethora of options as major cloud service providers proffer tailored career paths and certifications. Among them, Microsoft Azure stands as a unique contender, offering role-specific certifications meticulously aligned with industry demands and occupational niches. In the realm of IT, the designation of Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect has surged in prominence, symbolizing an integral role that carries weight in the industry.
Why choose Microsoft Azure AZ-301 Exam?
Projected estimates indicate that approximately 80% of enterprise workloads will transition to cloud environments by the year 2025. The current landscape witnesses a heightened emphasis on leveraging cloud services, facilitating seamless data sharing, storage, and accessibility across global locations. Attaining success in the Microsoft Azure Architect Design: AZ-301 exam mandates a comprehensive evaluation of your proficiency in Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps, coupled with an advanced mastery of at least one of these domains under expert guidance.
Microsoft Azure AZ-301 Exam Overview
Undoubtedly, cloud computing stands as the imminent future, with industry giants like Microsoft propelling its growth. Microsoft’s extensive range of certification courses encompasses Microsoft Azure Architect Design: AZ-301, an integral offering in this realm. However, before embarking on the journey, it’s prudent to pause and delve into the essence of AZ-301.
Exam AZ-301, titled “Microsoft Azure Architect Design,” serves as the next step for architects who have successfully cleared the AZ-300 exam. Keep in mind that aspiring to become a Microsoft Azure Solution Architect necessitates the successful completion of both AZ-300 and AZ-301. This certification serves as a testament to your advanced grasp and competence in various facets of IT operations, encompassing networking, virtualization, identity management, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data administration, financial planning, and governance.
This certification finds its suitability among business leaders aiming to harness the potential of cloud servers, availing a diverse range of intelligent services to function effectively and economically, surpassing on-premises options. The AZ-301 exam delves into advanced concepts that a Solutions Architect must acquaint themselves with when leveraging Microsoft Azure as their preferred cloud platform. This discourse aims to provide an overview of the Microsoft Azure Architect Design AZ-301 exam, shedding light on effective strategies to succeed in it, and also presents various learning resources to comprehensively prepare for the examination.
What is the difference between Microsoft Azure AZ-300 and AZ-301 Exam?
Let’s start by clarifying the distinction: the Microsoft Azure AZ-300 exam goes by the title of ‘Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies,’ while its counterpart, the Microsoft Azure AZ-301 exam, is referred to as ‘Microsoft Azure Architect Design.’ Do you spot the dissimilarity in their names? Upon visiting the official Microsoft website and examining the skill sections outlined for each exam, you’ll observe that while the topics may exhibit similarities, they are not identical, and this is naturally expected.
But you surely figure out that that AZ-301 exam is more inclined towards designing and planning for azure implementations. We will further define each modules to ease your learning.
Exam Details
Before delving into the AZ-301 exam, let’s take the time to thoroughly comprehend every intricate aspect of the Microsoft Azure Architect Design exam. This preliminary step ensures that you won’t overlook any crucial details. Begin by meticulously noting down the fundamental information about the AZ-301 exam. Let’s embark on this journey of exploration.
Prerequisites for AZ-301 Exam
The Microsoft Azure Architect Design AZ-301 exam constitutes a vital component of the Azure Solution Architect Expert certification track. To attain the status of a certified expert, it’s imperative to successfully pass the AZ-300 examination as a prerequisite. Without achieving clearance in AZ-300, you won’t be eligible to take the AZ-301 exam. It’s important to note that this certification operates at an expert level, leaving no room for error. Mastery in diverse areas like networking, virtualization, identity, security, business continuity, disaster recovery, data management, budgeting, and governance is essential. This role necessitates adept management skills, as decisions in each domain can significantly impact the overarching solution.
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Exam Course Outline
The Microsoft Azure Architect Design AZ-301 Exam adheres to a format akin to other Azure role-based examinations. For those who have already participated in prior Azure role-based exams, there’s no need for undue concern regarding exam policies, structure, scoring, and related matters. However, if you’re unfamiliar with these aspects, there’s no need to stress. We’ve outlined each facet comprehensively, ensuring a seamless understanding. Although the precise number of questions in the Microsoft AZ-301 exam can vary, you can anticipate encountering approximately 40 to 60 questions. The allocated time for the Microsoft Azure Architect Design AZ-301 exam is 150 minutes, requiring efficient time management to successfully clear the assessment.
Microsoft Azure AZ-301 Exam Details
| Exam Name | Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301) |
| Technology | Microsoft Azure |
| Prerequisites | Pass Microsoft AZ-300 Exam |
| Exam Cost | $165 USD* |
| Passing Score | 700 |
| Exam Duration | 150 Minutes |
| Total Questions | 40-60 Questions |
Let’s commence by gaining a fundamental understanding of each module, one step at a time. As this exam attains an expert level of certification, it’s paramount to approach it with seriousness and dedication. Microsoft has thoughtfully segmented the content into distinct modules, aiding candidates in acclimating and organizing their preparation methodically. Listed below are all the modules. A quick note for all of you: The exam’s content was revised on December 4, 2019, encompassing the updated skills.
Module 1: Determining Workload Requirements
The first and foremost module covers about 10-15% of the exam. This module has been sub categorized under three more topics.
- Gathering information and requirements
- Optimizing consumption strategy
- Designing an auditing and monitoring strategy
Module 2: Identity and Security Design
This particular module is one of the most important among all. Since this module covers about 20-25% of the exam. This is further divided into 5 subtopics. Let’s started with this one.
- Designing identity management
- Designing authentication
- Designing authorization
- Designing for risk prevention for identity
- Designing a monitoring strategy for identity and security
Module 3: Data Platform Solution Designing
This particular module is relevantly important too, as this covers almost 15-20% of AZ-301 exam. This module comprises of just four subtopics, which are as follows.
- Designing a data management strategy
- Designing a data protection strategy
- Designing and document data flows
- Designing a monitoring strategy for the data platform
Module 4: Business Continuity Strategy Designing
This section has a weight age of 10-15% in the exam. Further categorized under three basic subcategories.
- Designing a site recovery strategy
- Designing for high availability
- Designing a data archiving strategy
Module 5: Designing for Deployment, Migration, and Integration
This module is equally important as are the above mentioned modules for Microsoft AZ-301 exam. Though this module only covers 10-15% of the AZ-301 exam. Its also includes some of the important topics. Let’s get this over this people.
- Designing deployments
- Designing migrations
- Designing an API integration strategy
Module 6: Infrastructure Strategy Designing
15-20% of the questions in Microsoft AZ-301 exam are going to come from this particular section. This is also further divided into four sections.
- Designing a storage strategy
- Designing a computing strategy
- Designing a networking strategy
- Designing a monitoring strategy for infrastructure
Process of Exam Scoring for AZ-301
To attain the expert certification in Microsoft Azure Architect Design, a minimum score of 700 out of 1000 is required. Scoring above 700 is advisable as it can enhance your confidence level. Any score below 700 is considered a failure. Your results will be promptly displayed after submitting the exam, while a comprehensive exam report will be available within a few days, providing a detailed overview of your performance during the exam.
Retake Policy for AZ-301 Exam
If you didn’t pass the AZ-301 exam on your first attempt, don’t be disheartened. You have the opportunity for a retest, but we recommend considering it only if you’re confident in your improved preparation this time. So, instead of feeling anxious, approach the retest with renewed determination.
According to Microsoft’s guidelines:
- In the event that a candidate does not achieve a passing score on their initial attempt at the exam, they are required to wait for a minimum of 24 hours before they are allowed to reschedule the exam.
- Should the candidate not achieve a passing score on their second attempt as well, a waiting period of at least 14 days is mandatory before they are permitted to schedule the exam for a third time.
- Similarly, a waiting period of 14 days is also compulsory for the fourth and fifth consecutive retakes of the exam.
- It is important to note that a candidate is limited to taking the same exam a maximum of five times within a year (12 months). This one-year timeframe commences from the date of the last or fifth unsuccessful retake of the exam.
- Only after this specified period, the candidate regains eligibility to retake the exam, with a 12-month interval starting from the aforementioned date.
- If a candidate desires to attempt the exam more than five times within a year or wishes to bypass the waiting period between retakes, they are required to seek prior permission from Microsoft. Such requests should be addressed to [email protected].
But we wouldn’t want you to go through this. So buckle up and let’s pass AZ-301 exam.
Cancellation Policy for AZ-301 Exam
Some of the cases of cancellation include –
- If you intend to modify or adjust your exam schedule, it’s essential to do so with ample time in advance. To ensure no charges for cancellation, alterations to your exam date or time should be made at least 6 business days before the originally scheduled time.
- However, if changes are made within 5 business days of the scheduled exam, a nominal fee will be applied. Keep in mind that if you neglect to reschedule or cancel your appointment within 24 hours of the designated time, the entire exam fee will be forfeited. So, it’s important to exercise caution and plan accordingly!
Exam Pricing for AZ-301
For those residing in the United States, the fee for taking the Microsoft Azure Architecture Design AZ-301 exam amounts to $165. However, please be aware that this pricing can vary based on your location. It’s important to note that applicable taxes are not included in the fee, so it’s recommended to verify the exact fee with your exam provider. If you’re a student, you may be eligible for a fee reduction for the AZ-301 exam, provided you submit valid educational credentials.
How to schedule AZ-301 Exam?
Can you feel your heart pounding yet? Well you’re ready now. Let’s do this.
You need to follow the given steps in the process of scheduling the exam –
- Go to the Microsoft portal and register for your exam.
- When you are done with preparations go ahead and schedule your exam by clicking on the “schedule exam” link.
- Fill all your details on the next page.
- You can select the exam delivery option on the page of Pearson VUE, Microsoft’s exam partner.
- Your registration will complete once there’s a confirmation on the payment of your exam fee.
Prepare for AZ-301 exam
Right preparation path will allow you to pass AZ-301 exam in the very first attempt. That’s exactly what we want right? Use the following preparation guide to pass AZ-301 Exam
Learning Resource 1 – Microsoft Learning Platform
Now that you’re mentally geared up, your initial step should be to navigate to the official Microsoft website. It’s essential to start your AZ-301 exam journey by gathering accurate and trustworthy information from the most reputable source. You’ll easily find the dedicated AZ-301 page where you can access all the essential information about the exam. This includes details about the exam pattern, covered modules, and recommended study materials, all available on the portal itself. Additionally, you’ll discover that a free online course is also accessible directly on the Microsoft website. In a nutshell, you’ll be able to find every single detail you need about the exam right there on the website.
Learning Resource 2 – Microsoft Documentation
It’s crucial to avoid confusing Microsoft documentation with the Microsoft Learning Portal, as these resources offer distinct learning experiences. When utilizing Microsoft documentation, you’ll gain a clear grasp of the fundamental principles of being an Azure expert solution architect. This resource will enable you to comprehend the intricacies of various Azure services and their varying scales. This approach ensures that you’re keeping pace with the latest developments and acquiring new insights into Azure technologies, all delivered directly by experts to enhance your learning journey.
Learning Resources 3 – Instructor Led Training
As you explore your options, it’s highly recommended that you explore the instructor-led training available on the Microsoft portal. What makes this resource particularly valuable is that it aligns perfectly with the modules covered in the AZ-301 exam. One of the standout benefits of instructor-led training is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to access classroom training on-demand. If you’re juggling multiple tasks and are concerned about managing your time effectively, this feature enables you to schedule training sessions that fit your convenience. It’s a remarkable advantage that not everyone provides. When you identify a Microsoft training partner, you can simply visit their website to book your preferred training sessions.
Learning Resource 4 – Books and Online Resources
We comprehend your apprehension about the AZ-301 exam, especially considering its emphasis on design rather than technology. If you’re aiming to become an Azure Solution Architect, you have the option to purchase books online from reputable websites. However, it’s important to note that finding authentic books specifically tailored for the AZ-301 exam might be a bit limited. Should you decide to invest in a book, it’s advisable to thoroughly explore your options before making a choice.
Learning Resource 5 – Forums and Study Groups
This step is optional in your preparation process. The decision to join a study group or forum rests with you. You have the flexibility to join a study group at any point during your preparation. However, it’s worth considering as it can be advantageous. Study groups provide a supportive network, connecting you with fellow individuals who are on the same journey as you. In these groups, you can seek answers to questions related to topics that you find challenging. Moreover, many participants within study groups are capable of assisting you in comprehending any queries you might have concerning the AZ-301 exam.
Learning Resource 6 – Sample Tests
At last, we arrive at the concluding stage of your AZ-301 exam preparation journey. This final step holds the key to gaining a precise understanding of your current standing. Are you prepared to undertake a self-assessment? It’s important to embark on sample tests only after you have thoroughly covered the entire syllabus. These sample tests, including mock tests and practice exams, are meticulously designed to immerse you in an environment akin to the actual exam setting. Upon completing these practice papers, you’ll gain valuable insights into your weaker areas, which you can then focus on improving. These practice materials can be sourced from various outlets. Always remember that the more you challenge yourself with testing, the more you enhance your capabilities. So, don’t hesitate—commence this practice now.
Conclusion
If you have ambitions of propelling your career forward and are driven by the determination to pursue your aspirations, obtaining the Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-301 certification will represent the culminating achievement on your path towards becoming a Microsoft Azure Solution Architect. Certifications such as AZ-301 serve as a testament not only to your possession of the requisite skills for the role but also to your unwavering dedication to realizing your goals and ambitions. It’s worth noting that investing in training and certification can yield significant positive impacts on your professional journey, including potential financial benefits.
