AZ-305 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass the Solutions Architect Expert Exam
10 Aug 2026·13 min read
Read →#AZ-104#Passing Score#Azure Administrator#Exam Scoring#Microsoft Azure
"What score do I need to pass AZ-104?" is one of the most-asked questions from our Azure batches — usually in the final week before someone books their exam. The short answer is 700 out of 1000. The longer answer matters more, because 700 is not the percentage most candidates think it is, and misunderstanding it leads people to either over-panic or under-prepare.
Info: Exam at a Glance
40–60 questions · 130-minute duration · Passing score: 700/1000 (scaled) · Format: Multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop · Cost: $165 USD (approx. ₹14,000)
The Short Answer: 700 — But It Is Not 70%
Microsoft reports all role-based exam results on a scaled score from 1 to 1000, and every exam passes at 700. That number is produced by a statistical conversion, not by dividing correct answers by total questions. Different candidates receive different question forms, and some forms are slightly harder than others — scaling adjusts for that so a 700 represents the same demonstrated ability regardless of which form you drew. In practice this means you cannot compute "I need 42 of 60 correct": the raw-to-scaled conversion varies by form and Microsoft does not publish it.
How Microsoft Actually Scores AZ-104
- ●No negative marking — a wrong answer scores the same as a blank one, so answer every single question
- ●Questions are not all worth one point — multi-part items and case-study questions can carry more weight, and some multi-point items award partial credit
- ●Case studies lock once submitted — you cannot return to earlier sections, so budget your 130 minutes across sections deliberately
- ●Your score report shows a bar per exam domain, so you can see which of the five areas (identity/governance, storage, compute, networking, monitoring) cost you marks
Myth vs Reality
What Should You Score on Practice Tests?
Because the real exam is scaled, the safest readiness signal is consistency, not a single lucky run: aim for 80% or higher on full-length practice sets, across at least two or three attempts on different question pools. Our free AZ-104 mock exam gives you two separate 30-question scenario-based sets with explanations for every answer — if you clear 80% on both sets without guessing, you are in a strong position to book the real thing.
Tip: The 80% Rule
Practice tests are almost always a little easier than the live exam under time pressure and exam-day nerves. An 80%+ practice average leaves a buffer; a 72% practice average is a coin flip.
If You Fall Short: Retake Rules and Fees
- 1After a first failed attempt, you must wait 24 hours before rebooking
- 2From the second failed attempt onward, the wait is 14 days between attempts
- 3You get a maximum of five attempts in a 12-month window
- 4Every attempt is charged at the full exam fee — there is no discounted retake, which is why one well-prepared attempt is the cheapest strategy
Retakes are the hidden cost most candidates ignore — we broke down the full price of the Azure certification track in our Azure certification cost in India guide. If you would rather prepare once with structure, our live 45-day Azure batch covers AZ-104 end to end with mock exams and lab practice built in.
Ready to Start Your Cloud Journey?
Live batches Mon–Sat — Azure 9–10 AM IST (starts 24 august 2026) · AWS 10:30–11:45 AM IST (starts 31 august 2026). Hands-on labs, exam prep, and community support.