How I Passed the AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies Exam
By: Sri P
Tags: Microsoft Certification, Azure Certification, Azure Architecture, Az 303, Azure

In this article, I will explain how I prepared for the AZ-303 Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies exam along with links for study materials.

Let’s get started.

#1 What is the AZ-303 exam?

If you want to get Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert badge, you need to pass two exams: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies and Microsoft Azure Architect Design.

Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies exam is called as AZ-303 and Microsoft Azure Architect Design is AZ-304.

#2 What skills are measured in the exam?

The skills tested during the exam are the following:

Note: Please refer to MS Docs for latest and greatest context of the exam

Implement and Monitor an Azure Infrastructure

* Implement cloud infrastructure monitoring

* Implement storage accounts

* Implement VMs for Windows and Linux

* Automate deployment and configuration of resources

* Implement virtual networking

* Implement Azure Active Directory

* Implement and manage hybrid identities

Implement Management and Security Solutions

* Manage workloads in Azure

* Implement load balancing and network security

* Implement and manage Azure governance solutions

* Manage security for applications

Implement Solutions for Apps

* Implement an application infrastructure

* Implement container-based applications

Implement and Manage Data Platforms

* Implement NoSQL databases

* Implement Azure SQL databases

Believe me, it’s an in-depth exam, so don’t expect passing without solid knowledge and many hours of practice or real project experience!

#3 The exam structure

AZ-303 is focusing on practical use cases of Azure technologies. Exam has following characteristics:

Questions: 45–60 questions

Some questions are worth 1 point

Some questions cannot be skipped

Some questions cannot be revised

There are different types of questions: multiple-choice, build list, hot area, drag and drop, reorder etc

Questions are often in context of Case Studies where you need to gather and understand information across multiple sources

2. Actual Duration: 2 hr 30 mins

There will be an additional time to provide feedback, to read instructions etc.. before and after the exam. But the actual exam duration is 2 hr 30 mins.

#4 How to schedule the exam?

To schedule your AZ-303 online exam with Pearson VUE, you can go to the certification page: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/az-303.

#5 Some noteworthy points

Preview features are NOT in the scope of exam

Preview features are not included, but you should keep an eye on the exam page and check for updates. For example, while I was preparing for the exam it has been updated and some preview features are now GA.

Always answer all the questions. There is no penalty for wrong answers

#6 How to prepare for the exam?

Microsoft Learn

You can start for preparing the exam with Microsoft Learn. It is composed of nine learning paths:

Study guides

The above Microsoft Learn modules are not enough to complete the exam preparation. It’s an in-depth exam. While I was randomly scrolling LinkedIn updates, I have discovered the below detailed study guide for each and every topic in the exam curriculum. This link provide reference to Microsoft Docs for each topic in AZ-303 exam syllabus. I must say thanks to the author of https://preparationlabs.com as it helped me a lot. Here is the link for the study guide.

https://preparationlabs.com/2020/10/04/az-303-study-guide-microsoft-azure-architect-technologies/

Resources

Best resource is to practice yourself what you learn in the portal, especially in the area of networking, virtual machines, active directory and security.

#7 A week before my exam

Practice ! Practice! and Practice!

I have practiced few free practice tests available over internet(Google) only to figure out they are of no use and finally decided to buy the practice tests mentioned in the PrepatationLabs study guide. I must say that these practice tests are really really helpful to validate your learning and find the mistakes.

Here is the link for the practice tests that I have purchased. For money savers (like me :) ), I have purchased these practice tests through the link provided in PreparationLabs article and got an whooping 70% discount.

https://www.udemy.com/course/az-303-microsoft-azure-architect-technologies-practice-test/

#8 Conclusion

The combination of Microsoft Learn Modules, PreparationLabs study guide, and the practice tests were enough for me to pass the AZ-303 exam!

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