The world around has an insatiable demand for new software and apps. As a result, there is a corresponding demand for more professional candidates who are committed to developing such new programs. In the same vein, thanks to the popularity of Azure. Because that drew a high demand for Azure cloud solution architects. Thereby, making AZ-301 exam popular among the candidates.
Microsoft AZ-301 exam is retired. A new replacement exam Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-304) is available.
Every year, so many candidates apply for AZ-301 exam, but only a few candidates qualify as a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert. The reason being, certification examinations are not that easy to crack. Only the right strategy and right learning resources will help you qualify the examination with the flying colours. Therefore, in this article, we’re going to help you create the right strategy for the AZ-301 exam. We will explore different aspects of the position, involving the Azure solution architect certification path.
All the details here!
AZ-301 just like any other Azure role-based exams follows a similar structure. And, since this examination is in association with AZ-300, you must already have prior experience about exam policies, pattern, scoring, and related aspects. However, one must be thorough with each and every exam detail as each exam has different objectives. Moreover, it will help you solidify your knowledge in Azure exams. So, let’s begin with the overview of the AZ-301 exam.
Overview: AZ-301 Exam
Candidates for this examination are Azure Solution Architects who guide stakeholders and translate business requirements into safe, scalable, and reliable solutions. Therefore, candidates must have exceptional knowledge and expertise across various aspects of IT operations. These include-
- Networking
- Virtualization
- Identity
- Security
- Business continuity
- Disaster recovery
- Data management
- Budgeting
- Governance
Microsoft Azure Architect Design role requires managing how decisions in each area affect an overall solution. So, candidates must be proficient in Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps, and have expert-level skills in at least one of those domains.
Basic Exam Details
The Microsoft AZ-301 exam is a 150 minute long. Though the examination comprises of 40-60 questions as the number of questions keep on changing over time. Speaking of which, the candidate may encounter Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions. However, there are no prerequisites. And, as far as the language of the exam is concerned. The exam is only available in only 4 languages. Further, these include English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean.
Exam Pricing
The registration fee for the AZ-301 exam is USD 165 (without taxes). Since the pricing doesn’t include the applicable taxes, hence one must confirm with their exam provider beforehand. Though pricing may vary from country to country.
And, in case, you are a student, you’re qualified for a fee reduction. But only, if you submit your valid educational credentials. Also, if you’re a Microsoft Partner Network Program Members, then Microsoft trainers, and Academy program members are also qualified for reduced pricing.
Exam Results
Results have both a happy as well as a scare feel to it. However, results are the most important criteria of an examination. And, in the case of AZ-301, results will be declared within a few minutes after the end of the examination.In addition, the printed report card with each and every detail of your examination performance will be mailed to you within 5 business days.
This scorecard includes different details such as your pass/fail status, performance in different skill areas in the exam, overall performance.
Now, that we have acquired all the information related to AZ-301 exam. It’s time for you to understand the Course Outline. The Course Outline forms the most crucial aspect of the examination. So, let’s begin.
Course Outline: AZ-301 exam
As mentioned earlier, the Course Outline is the most important part while preparing for the AZ-301 exam. Since this will allow you to have a clearer view of the course. Microsoft offers a list of domains which provides a brief overview of each and every topic in detail. For candidate’s convenience, Microsoft structures different modules in such a way that it is easy to adapt and structure preparation accordingly.
Domain 1: Determine workload requirements (10-15%)
- First of all, gathering information and requirements
- Secondly, optimizing consumption strategy
- Subsequently, designing an auditing and monitoring strategy
Domain 2: Design for identity and security (20-25%)
- Firstly, designing identity management
- Secondly, designing authentication
- Subsequently, designing authorization
- After this, designing for risk prevention for identity
- Also, designing a monitoring strategy for identity and security
Domain 3: Design a data platform solution (15-20%)
- To begin with, designing a data management strategy
- Also, designing a data protection strategy
- Subsequently, designing and documenting data flows
- Consequently, designing a monitoring strategy for the data platform
Domain 4: Design a business continuity strategy (10-15%)
- First thing first, designing a site recovery strategy
- Secondly, designing for high availability
- Subsequently, designing a data archiving strategy
Domain 5: Design for deployment, migration, and integration (10-15%)
- First of all, designing deployments
- Secondly, designing migrations
- Subsequently, designing an API integration strategy
Domain 6: Design an infrastructure strategy (15-20%)
- To begin with, designing a storage strategy
- Subsequently, designing a computing strategy
- Also, designing a networking strategy
- After this, designing a monitoring strategy for infrastructure
And, this marks the end of the Course Outline. Though a little lengthy to cope up. But, not to fret! Further, we’re providing with such learning resources and learning strategy that’ll be beneficial to each one of you.
Step by step Preparatory Guide for AZ-301
Certification exam may seem scary but with right learning resources, one can qualify the AZ-301 exam in the very first attempt. But, before we begin with the preparatory guide, one must keep in mind that there is no single strategy for all. Something that works for you, may not work for the other and vice versa. However, there’s something called the systematic approach. Therefore, in this section, we’re going to provide a ladder you must walkthrough in the same order as mentioned below.
Review all the Exam Objectives
Your first step in the preparation guide is to review all the exam objectives. And, to do so, make sure to visit the Official Website of Microsoft AZ-301 exam. As this is the most authentic site for obvious reasons. By doing so, you’ll have a clear view of each and every information related to the AZ-301 exam. So, make sure, to begin with, this step.
Download Exam skill Outline
After this, you must download the exam skill outline available on the official website itself. Downloading the outline will provide you with the updated exam outline. All the domains and their subtopics are listed down in the outline. Keep in mind not to rely on any other website except the official website itself. Since the exam is updated after every few years hence the official website is your door to reliable information.
Microsoft Instructor-led training: the Gold standard of learning
Next up, we have Instructor-led training. Instructor-led training is paid online classes offered by Microsoft itself. For AZ-301 exam, Microsoft has formulated 4 different courses. These are as follows-
Course AZ-301T01-A: Designing for Identity and Security
In this course, you’ll learn to manage security and identity. Also, you’ll get to know multiple Software as a Service (SaaS) features available in Azure.
Course AZ-301T02-A: Designing a Data Platform Solution
The second one will allow you to have a clearer view to compare and contrast various database options on Azure. Not to mention, you’ll be able to identify data streaming options for large-scale data ingest and longer-term data storage options.
Course AZ-301T03-A: Designing for Deployment, Migration, and Integration
Further, here you’ll learn to easily deploy an Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template to a resource group and much more.
Course AZ-301T04-A: Designing an Infrastructure Strategy
Lastly, you’ll learn to outline DNS and IP strategies for VNETs in Azure.
All the above-mentioned courses will eliminate the fear of studying old and outdated resources. Moreover, it will help you interact with the experts. Thereby, a gold standard of learning.
Fuel your passion with Books
Books have always been a part of human life. From the very beginning, books have been an integral part of human life. Not to mention, these provide you with great learning without any distractions. So, make sure to go through books as a traditional way of learning isn’ that boring. Here is a list of books that we highly suggest-
- Exam AZ-300 & AZ-301 Study & Lab Guide Part 1and Part 2: Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert by Harinder Kohli.
- Microsoft AZ-301 Exam Preparation by Georgio Daccache.
- Azure Solutions Architect Study Guide by Benjamin Perkins.
Join a Community
Online forums and study groups are a great way to prepare for the AI-100 exam. Therefore, feel free to get in touch with other candidates through study forums or online groups to ask question-related to the topic you’re having difficulty with.
However, it’s not something you have to join. It’s just something very subjective. Not to mention, these online groups help you stay equated with the other people who are also walking through the same path as yours. Moreover, you can also ask a question related to the topic you’re having difficulty with.
Mock Tests are a must!
And, finally, it’s time for practice sessions. Take it from us, Self Evaluation is the only step you need in the end. The more you’re going to practice, it’s better for you. Since there are many hidden rocks in any exam and you’ll only be able to confront them with the help of practice sets. So, go through as many practice tests as much you can. FOR MORE PRACTICE TEST, CLICK HERE!
After going through the learning resources, you’ll realise that learning resources play a huge factor in the preparation. But, the way you study and how much hours you dedicate also are essentials factors to contribute.
Learn smarter with the Right Strategy
Most individuals agree that the most stressful life events revolve around work, finances and health. And on top of that, if you add “preparing for an important certification exam” to that mix. The result can be downright overwhelming. Therefore, in this section, we’re going to direct you about the right strategy according to time.
A Year Before the Exam
It’s always good to start early, and if you have a year or more than that to prepare for the AZ-301 exam. So, let’s lay the groundwork for your future success. Here are a few of early preparatory work one must work on-
- If possible try to volunteer yourself for any project that’ll be beneficial.
- Learn about industry events and understand the handling of different situations.
- Try to read as many publications that provide best practices.
- Make sure to review award-winning programs and scan industry magazines as well as websites.
All of the above-listed works will provide you with a bit of experience and these learning may come in handy in the exam.
Six Months Before the Exam
Since each certification different from the other, hence each requires different strategies and plans. If you’re just six months away from the certification, then it’s definitely time for you to plan with a focused mindset. As practical experience is always useful, so it’s a good time to step up and actively pursue work initiatives that focus on the area that will be covered in the exam. Make sure to run a few hours extra from the very start.
Three Months Before the Exam
Three months may sound a long period of time, but mark our words it’s not. This is time you need to buckle up and put your 100% efforts. One should start with intensive study sessions for the exam. Also, make sure to be thorough with practice tests as well.
On the other hand, if you haven’t already made a timetable to work through, then it’s time to start now. It’s never too late. Take advantage of this new technology and go through all the tutorials and online courses. Moreover, online study groups and forums will prove to be a great advantage.
A day Before the Exam
A day before the examination is a stressful day, therefore try to be calm as much as possible. Take a lot of rest and relax. Don’t panic, trust your instincts and believe in your preparation.
Bottom Line
In the end, we would like to state that preparation time is a stress full time, but if you stick to our preparation guidelines, there’s a 100% guarantee of you qualifying the AZ-301 exam. All the above-mentioned learning resources will help you reach closer and closer to your goal.
Qualifying the AZ-301 exam will your proficiency in Azure Architect technologies. And, that’s is what you’ve always desired. Certification will allow you to stand out from the crows as well as help you improve your skills. So, make sure to prepare well and start practising now!
A great career is just a certification away. So, practice and validate your skills to become a Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert!
