The short version
Take AZ-104 first. AZ-104 is the Azure administrator exam: you build and run things. AZ-305 is the Azure solutions architect exam: you choose and justify designs. Microsoft’s Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential requires you to earn Azure Administrator Associate first, so for that credential the order is not a choice. Take AZ-305 first only if you will not chase that credential and want the design material on its own. This page uses Microsoft pages checked on October 22, 2026.
Who should take which
- Take AZ-104 if you configure, operate, and fix Azure resources, or want to. It suits administrators, support engineers moving up, and developers who also run infrastructure.
- Take AZ-305 if you advise on how to build on Azure: weighing options, translating business needs into designs, and explaining trade-offs. Microsoft describes the candidate as having advanced experience in IT operations and experience in Azure administration, development, and DevOps.
- Take both if your goal is the Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential. Microsoft lists AZ-305 as the required exam, and Azure Administrator Associate as the required credential before it.
Side by side
| AZ-104 | AZ-305 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Microsoft Azure Administrator | Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions |
| Credential | Azure Administrator Associate (intermediate, administrator role) | Azure Solutions Architect Expert |
| Main verb | Implement, manage, monitor | Design, advise, decide |
| Domains | 5: identities and governance; storage; compute; virtual networking; monitoring and maintenance | 4: identity, governance, and monitoring solutions; data storage solutions; business continuity solutions; infrastructure solutions |
| Heaviest area | Identities and governance, and compute (20-25% each) | Infrastructure solutions (30-35%) |
| Time | 100 minutes (AZ-104 page) | Not stated on the AZ-305 page; Microsoft’s general table lists 100 or 120 minutes for role-based exams |
| Questions | Not published | Not published |
| Passing score | 700 of 1,000 | 700 of 1,000 |
| Languages | 10 | 10 |
| Skills list version | As of April 17, 2026 | As of April 17, 2026 |
| Prerequisites | None stated for the exam | None stated for the exam; the credential requires Azure Administrator Associate |
| Renewal | Every 12 months, free assessment | Every 12 months, free assessment |
What overlaps and what differs
Both exams talk about the same building blocks: identity, governance, storage, networking, monitoring, and recovery. The difference is the question you are asked.
On AZ-104 the question is usually “how do you configure this?” You may need to know which role, which setting, which command-level behavior. Example topics are assigning a role at a scope, creating a shared access signature, peering two networks, or setting up an alert with an action group.
On AZ-305 the question is “which solution fits these requirements?” You compare options against cost, availability, security, and operations. Example topics are choosing a data store, picking a backup and recovery approach for a given recovery target, or deciding how to structure subscriptions and governance. AZ-305 also expects you to think about how decisions affect the whole solution, not one resource.
A useful rule of thumb: AZ-104 rewards precision on one service. AZ-305 rewards judgment across several. Someone who has never configured Azure usually finds AZ-305 harder to reason about, because the options sound alike and nothing anchors them in experience. That is a general observation, not a Microsoft statement.
Weightings point the same way. AZ-104 splits its weight fairly evenly across five areas. AZ-305 puts the largest share, 30-35%, on infrastructure solutions and 25-30% on identity, governance, and monitoring.
How to choose
- Check your goal. If it is the architect credential, the order is fixed: AZ-104, then AZ-305.
- Check your daily work. Mostly hands-on? Start with AZ-104. Mostly advisory with years of Azure exposure? AZ-305 may be where you already work, but the credential still needs AZ-104.
- Check your gaps. If the AZ-104 skill list has areas you have never touched, fix those first. They will also make AZ-305 easier.
- Check the time. Passing AZ-104 first means you can renew it yearly alongside the next step, and you will already have the vocabulary.
If you are unsure, read the AZ-104 prerequisites and the AZ-305 overview, then take a practice set of each. Your scores will tell you more than any rule.
What about the other exams?
Microsoft’s DevOps Engineer Expert credential also accepts Azure Administrator Associate as a starting point. See AZ-104 vs AZ-400 if automation is your direction.
FAQ
Do I have to pass AZ-104 before I can sit AZ-305?
Microsoft’s exam page does not state a prerequisite for sitting AZ-305. The Azure Solutions Architect Expert credential, however, says you must earn Azure Administrator Associate. Check your own goal and Microsoft’s pages when you book.
Is AZ-305 harder than AZ-104?
It is a different kind of hard. AZ-305 asks for design judgment and expects more experience. AZ-104 asks for broad, precise configuration knowledge. Many people find the second easier to practice because you can try it in a portal.
Can I take AZ-305 without hands-on work?
It is possible to study for, but Microsoft states that candidates should have advanced experience and knowledge, and the design answers are easier to judge when you have seen the services run.
Do both credentials expire?
Microsoft lists associate and expert credentials as renewable every 12 months. Renewal is a free online assessment, covered on our AZ-104 renewal page.
More guides for AZ-104
- AZ-104 Exam Format, Scoring and Retakes
- AZ-104 Domains Explained With Weightings
- AZ-104 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is AZ-104 Hard? An Honest Difficulty Check
- Is AZ-104 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AZ-104 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-104 vs AZ-802: Which First?
Next step
Start with the AZ-104 overview and the study plan, and look at the AZ-305 overview when you plan the second step. For timed practice, see the AZ-104 practice tests and the AZ-305 practice tests.