Exam comparison
AZ-104 vs AZ-305: Azure administrator or architect
Who should take each exam
AZ-104 targets administrators managing daily Azure resources: identities, storage, compute, networking.
AZ-305 is for architects designing scalable, secure, resilient Azure solutions. Prerequisites: AZ-104.
In short: start with AZ-104 if you're new to Azure, then progress to AZ-305 once you master operational management.
Exam format and content
| AZ-104 | AZ-305 | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | Azure Administrator Associate | Azure Solutions Architect Expert |
| Code | AZ-104 | AZ-305 |
| Duration | 100 minutes | Not published |
| Number of questions | Not published | Not published |
| Passing score | 700 or higher | 700 or higher |
| Prerequisites | None | AZ-104 |
| Level | Associate | Expert |
| Languages | 10 languages (FR, EN, ES, etc.) | 10 languages (FR, EN, ES, etc.) |
| Proctored | Yes | Yes |
Domains and competencies evaluated
AZ-104
- Manage Azure identities and governance 20–25 %
- Implement and manage storage 15–20 %
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resources 20–25 %
- Implement and manage virtual networking 15–20 %
- Monitor and maintain Azure resources 10–15 %
AZ-305
- Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions 25–30 %
- Design data storage solutions 20–25 %
- Design business continuity solutions 15–20 %
- Design infrastructure solutions 30–35 %
Overlaps and key differences
Overlaps: both exams cover Azure identity, storage, compute, and networking.
Key differences:
- AZ-104 tests operational management and troubleshooting of existing resources.
- AZ-305 requires architectural thinking: trade-off evaluation, scaling for growth, disaster recovery, and alignment with the Azure Well-Architected Framework.
Which to choose based on your profile
Choose AZ-104 if…
- You are new to Azure or need to master the fundamentals.
- You manage identities, storage, and networking daily.
- You want to validate administrator skills before progressing.
- You are preparing for AZ-305 or another expert certification.
Choose AZ-305 if…
- You have already earned the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification (AZ-104), which Microsoft requires for Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
- You design architectures for organizations or clients.
- You want a recognized expert Azure certification.
- You are transitioning to an architect or senior engineer role.
Resources and preparation
Try both, free
Original questions, each answer explained with a link to the documentation. Study mode is free and needs no account.
Practice Exam AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate
25 free questions with explanations
Practice Exam AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
25 free questions with explanations