Microsoft Azure · Exam comparison
AZ-104 vs AZ-305: administrator or architect?
AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) tests whether you can run Azure: configure identities, storage, compute, networking, monitoring and backup. AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert) tests whether you can design Azure solutions: choose the right services for identity, data, resilience, compute and networking, and justify the trade-offs.
- Choose AZ-104 if you deploy and manage Azure resources: users and access, virtual machines, storage, virtual networks and backups.
- Choose AZ-305 if you design solutions and pick services against requirements for availability, cost, security and migration.
The Expert certification needs both
The AZ-305 exam has no prerequisite, but Microsoft only awards the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification once you also hold the Azure Administrator Associate certification, which you earn with AZ-104. You can take the two exams in either order.
Side by side
| AZ-104 | AZ-305 | |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | Azure Administrator Associate | Azure Solutions Architect Expert |
| Main job | Configure and run Azure resources | Design Azure solutions against requirements |
| Typical question | "You need to configure…": how to set something up | "You need to recommend…": which design meets the requirements |
| Biggest skill areas in our practice tests | Evenly spread: no skill area above 8% | Design authentication and authorization solutions (12%) Design data storage solutions for relational data (10%) Design solutions for backup and disaster recovery (10%) Design an application architecture (10%) |
| Career path on ExamKite | AZ-900 → AZ-104 → AZ-140 | AZ-900 → AZ-104 → AZ-305 → AZ-120 |
| ExamKite practice | 9 practice tests, 500 questions | 9 practice tests, 500 questions |
Where they overlap
Both exams cover the same ground: identity, governance, storage, compute, networking, monitoring and backup. The difference is the question asked about it. AZ-104 asks how to set a service up and fix it; AZ-305 asks which service or design to choose, and why.
Where they differ
AZ-104 is hands-on: virtual networks, secure access to them, and name resolution and load balancing alone make up 20% of its practice questions, and it also covers ARM templates, Bicep and containers.
AZ-305 is about trade-offs: authentication and authorization, backup and disaster recovery, and high availability make up 30% of its practice questions, and it adds application architecture and migrations.
Which should you take first?
In most cases, AZ-104. You need its certification for the Expert title anyway, and AZ-305's design questions assume you know how the services behave in practice. If you already design Azure solutions every day, starting with AZ-305 is fine; the certification arrives once you have both.
Questions people ask
Can I take AZ-305 without AZ-104?
Yes. The AZ-305 exam has no prerequisite. You only receive the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification once you also hold the Azure Administrator Associate certification (AZ-104).
Do I need AZ-900 first?
No. AZ-900 is optional for both exams, though it is a gentle start if you are new to Azure.
How long are the certifications valid?
Both are valid for one year. You renew them with a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn before they expire.
More answers in the full FAQ.
Practice in the real exam formats
Every exam on ExamKite starts with a free diagnostic and a study plan for the topics you miss.