Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert Exam Survival Guide

Window: Global | AZ-305 exam | 40–60 Q / 120 min

Must-do topics

• Governance: Azure AD, RBAC, Conditional Access, Policies, Blueprints
• Compute: VM scale sets, App Service, AKS, Functions
• Storage: Blob tiers, Managed Disks, Files, Tables
• Networking: VNets, NSGs, Peering, ExpressRoute, Load Balancers, App Gateway, Front Door
• Databases: Cosmos DB (consistency models), SQL Database, Synapse
• Security/backup: Key Vault, Backup, Site Recovery, Defender for Cloud

Top traps (avoid)

• Confusing Front Door (global) vs App Gateway (regional)
• Forgetting Cosmos DB consistency choices (eventual vs bounded staleness, strong, session, consistent prefix)
• Misplacing NSG vs Firewall rules
• Using unmanaged disks (deprecated)

Time split

• ~2 min/Q; case study sections require reading → skim then answer

Last-48h checklist

• Governance hierarchy: Mgmt group → Subscription → RG → Resource
• Cosmos DB consistency table
• LB decision chart: LB vs AppGW vs Front Door vs Traffic Manager
• Backup/DR services comparison

Quick facts

• VMSS = auto-scale VMs
• Azure AD = identity backbone; Conditional Access = enforce MFA/contextual rules
• Blob tiers: Hot, Cool, Archive
• ExpressRoute = private; VPN = encrypted public tunnel

Speed tactics

• Match service choice to SLA/cost/security driver
• Eliminate outdated/unmanaged choices
• Answer case study Qs after skimming all requirements

Day-of mini-plan

• Warm-up: 5 governance flashcards
• Sketch service map for case studies
• Pace: 20 Q/hour, leave 10 min for review