In the previous post we learned about implementing Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies using the AZ-303 certification exam. Today, we will be discussing the Microsoft Azure Architect Design certification exam (AZ-304).
Two certification exams are required to become a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert. They are AZ300 and AZ301. Both AZ-302 and AZ-331 certifications were replaced by the latest versions AZ303 and AZ304.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. What can you expect from this article?
3. Prerequisites
4. Key Benefits
5. Exam Pattern
6. Percentage of questions for all Modules
7. Study Materials and References
8. Tips and Tricks
9. Get certified now
Introduction:
The Microsoft certified Azure solution architect certification is a three-star exam and expert-level certification. You must have expertise in designing and implementing solutions that run on Microsoft Azure. This includes aspects such as storage, compute, security, and network. Azure Solution Architects use Azure Portal, and as they get more proficient, they use Command Line Interface.
What can you expect from this article?
Everything you need to become a Microsoft Azure Solutions architect, i.e. to take the AZ-304 Microsoft Azure Architect Design certification examination, is available to you. I will guide you through the topics, exam patterns, study materials, and references that will help you become an Azure expert. This will also help you to grow your career.
Prerequisites:
You must pass the exam to become a Microsoft Certified Azure Solution Architect. The first exam is Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies AZ-303, and the second is Microsoft Azure Architect Design AZ-304. Each exam will award you a badge. Upon passing both exams, you’ll be awarded the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect certificate. AZ-104 or AZ-204 are recommended. (Click here to visit the respective blogs). The Microsoft Azure fundamentals certification exam AZ900 is highly recommended, but is not required.
Key Benefits:
Certified professionals are 15% more productive and earn 15% more in average than the rest.
Microsoft Azure certified professionals are highly sought after for managing cloud infrastructure and developing cloud applications.
As an Azure administrator, developer, architect, DevOps practitioner or security engineer, you can solve business problems.
You will have an advantage in the job market if you are a Microsoft Azure Security Associate Engineer and receive a highly sought-after Microsoft badge.

Exam Pattern:
* Microsoft judges candidates between 100 and 1000 marks. The popular pattern is that passing marks range from 700 to 750.
Percentage of questions in all modules of AZ-304
Design Monitoring (10-15%)
This module will ask you questions about cost optimization, designing log and monitoring solutions, and integrating monitoring tools such as Azure Monitor and Azure Sentinel.
Design Identity and Security (25-30%)
This module will ask you questions about designing authentication solutions, single sign on solutions, B2B integration solutions, access management solution including RBAC policy policies, access, reviews and role assignments.
Design Data Storage (15-20%)
This module will cover designing solutions for databases, data integration, including Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Bricks and Azure Data Lake.
Design Business Continuity (10-15%)
Business continuity protocols are used to support businesses during times of disaster. You will find scenario-based questions about recovery solutions for Azure hybrid workloads and on-premise workloads, Azure Site Recovery Solution, Azure