Azure Architect Certification: Preparation and Learning Paths

To become an Azure Architect, you'll need to prepare for the certification exam, which covers a wide range of topics including cloud architecture, migration, and security.

The certification exam is divided into multiple domains, including infrastructure, data management, security, and application architecture.

To prepare for the exam, it's recommended to have at least 2 years of experience in designing and implementing cloud solutions on the Azure platform.

You'll also need to have a good understanding of Azure services and features, including Azure Virtual Machines, Storage, and Networking.

To become an Azure Architect, you need to prepare thoroughly. Instructor-led courses can be a great way to gain the skills needed to become certified, covering topics such as governance, compute, application architecture, and more.

To prepare for the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams, it's recommended to take a course that covers the new content, such as Scott's Udemy course. This course provides a detailed overview of Azure concepts and services, but may not be enough on its own to pass the exams.

You can also use online resources like Microsoft Learn, practice tests, and online courses to prepare for the AZ-305 test. It's also a good idea to focus on improving your skills in the design and execution of complex Azure solutions.

To gain relevant experience, it's recommended that you work in IT and cloud settings. This hands-on experience will help you understand how Azure services are used and prepare you for the challenges of creating and administering Azure solutions.

You should assume tasks involving maintaining, creating, or designing cloud solutions, especially those involving Azure. This experience will also help you comprehend how Azure services are utilized.

In addition to practical experience, it's also beneficial to have previous experience deploying or administering Azure resources. This will give you a solid foundation to build upon as you prepare for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.

Having experience designing and architecting solutions is also valuable, as it will help you understand the architect design principles and how to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Here are some key skills and knowledge areas to focus on:

By gaining practical experience and focusing on these key skills and knowledge areas, you'll be well-prepared for the challenges of becoming an Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

To prepare for the AZ-305 exam, you'll want to use a variety of resources to get familiar with Azure services and architecture. Microsoft Learn is a great place to start, with authorized courses and modules designed specifically for the AZ-305 exam. These resources provide connecting exercises and structured material to help you understand the concepts.

You can also use practice tests to get a feel for the format and variety of questions on the exam. The official Microsoft practice tests are a great way to do this. Additionally, you can search out suggested reading material and instructional materials specific to the AZ-305 exam to supplement your learning.

Hands-on practice is also essential to becoming proficient in Azure. You can create your own Azure environment to get experience developing and overseeing solutions in authentic settings. This will help you understand how Azure services are utilized and prepare you for the challenges involved in efficiently creating and administering Azure solutions.

Here are some specific resources to consider:

Remember, becoming proficient in Azure takes time and practice. Be sure to use a variety of resources and hands-on practice to prepare for the AZ-305 exam.

Microsoft offers Learning Paths for the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams, which are also recommended for the AZ-305 exam. These paths are a great resource for studying, but it's worth noting that they assume a certain level of cloud and Azure proficiency.

The Learning Paths consist of multiple modules, each with its own area of focus, and contain a mix of text-based content, diagrams, and quizzes. Some modules also include hands-on tutorial units that require access to an Azure sandbox environment.

Here are some key features of the Microsoft Learning Paths:

Overall, the Microsoft Learning Paths are a valuable resource for Azure Architect certification, but it's essential to have a solid foundation in cloud and Azure concepts before diving in.

So, you're wondering if a specific Azure certification is for you? It depends. If you have experience working with a variety of cloud technology services, you might be a good fit.

The Expert-level Architect exams are for those who have worked extensively with Azure services. If you're new to the cloud or want to test the waters, consider a Fundamentals exam. They're perfect for introducing non-technical candidates to the cloud.

Associate-level exams are the "goldilocks solution" - they prove you know your stuff without requiring too much technical expertise outside of your domain. They're a great value for your time and can help you perform better in your job function.

These exams assume some level of cloud proficiency, but are less challenging than the Expert-level Architect exams. They're a great stepping stone to more advanced certifications.

Order Matters... or does it?

The author of the design-based exam is not mentioned, but the exam is at a slightly-higher level of detail compared to the implementation-focused exam.

People typically complete the design-based exam before the implementation-focused exam, but this order can be reversed.

The author did the implementation exam first, not by design, but because they weren't paying attention to the exam names.

Before the re-labelling, AZ-300 was the design exam and AZ-301 was the implementation exam, which made sense to the author.

The re-labelling changed the exam names to AZ-304 and AZ-303, with 304 coming after 303.

The author spent six months preparing for the exams and somehow missed the re-labelling.

Learning Paths can be a great way to study for Azure certifications, and Microsoft offers a set of Learning Paths for the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams.

These Learning Paths are highly recommended, as they cover the same topics for both exams, making it easy to study for both at once. Each Learning Path consists of multiple modules, with varying numbers of units within each module.

The content in these Learning Paths is mostly text-based, with diagrams and some videos to supplement the learning. There are also Knowledge Check units, which are quizzes on the module content, and hands-on tutorial units that require access to an Azure sandbox environment.

If you're brand-new to Azure, you can go straight to the Microsoft Learn content, as it's well-organized and provides a solid foundation for learning Azure. However, if you're new to the cloud, Scott Duffy's Udemy course may be a better starting point, as it covers the basics of cloud computing.

Here's a breakdown of the types of content you can expect to find in Microsoft Learn:

It's worth noting that relying solely on Microsoft Learn may not provide enough detail to pass the exams, so it's a good idea to supplement your learning with other resources, such as Udemy courses or practice tests.