When I started preparing for the Microsoft AZ-305 exam, I felt overwhelmed because there was a lot of information available but no clear direction. Instead of following random resources, I decided to learn from my own mistakes and experiences. 

Understanding the Purpose of the AZ-305 Exam

The first thing I learned was that the AZ-305 exam is not about memorizing commands or features. It is about designing Azure solutions. The exam checks how well you can think like a solution architect. You are expected to choose the best Azure services based on business needs, cost, security, and performance. Once I understood this goal, my preparation became more focused.

Reading the Official Exam Topics Carefully

I spent time reading the official exam skills outline and treated it as my roadmap. I noted down key areas such as designing identity solutions, data storage, business continuity, and infrastructure. This helped me avoid wasting time on topics that were not important for the exam.

Strengthening the Basics First

Before going deep into design concepts, I revised Azure fundamentals. I made sure I understood virtual networks, storage accounts, Azure Active Directory, and basic security concepts. Having a strong foundation made advanced topics much easier to understand later.

Learning Through Real Scenarios

Most AZ-305 questions are scenario-based. I trained myself to think like an architect by asking why a specific service is needed and what problem it solves. Instead of learning what a service does, I focused on when and why it should be used. This approach helped me understand questions more clearly during practice.

Making Simple Notes and Diagrams

I avoided copying notes from websites. Instead, I wrote short notes in my own words and drew simple diagrams to understand architectures. Visual learning helped me connect different Azure services and remember them for a longer time.

Using Practice Questions Wisely

Practice questions helped me understand the exam pattern, but I never memorized answers. I focused on understanding why an option was correct or incorrect. While exploring different practice resources, I came across CertBoosters once, which helped me understand how design-based questions are framed, but my main focus stayed on concepts rather than shortcuts.

Thinking in Terms of Design Decisions

A big turning point in my preparation was when I stopped trying to remember every Azure service detail. I started focusing on design decisions such as high availability, scalability, security, and cost optimization. This mindset made complex questions easier to solve.

Creating a Simple Study Routine

I studied consistently instead of studying for long hours in one day. One to two hours daily worked best for me. This routine helped me stay fresh and avoid burnout. Consistency mattered more than speed.

Revising Weak Areas Before the Exam

Before the exam, I reviewed only my weak topics like disaster recovery, hybrid networking, and identity design. I avoided learning anything new at the last moment and focused on improving what I already knew.

My Exam Day Experience

On exam day, I stayed calm and read every question carefully. Many questions looked similar, but small details made a big difference. I used elimination to remove incorrect options and trusted my preparation.