The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is a valuable credential for cloud engineers. It is the most sought-after certification in the public cloud space because Amazon holds the largest market share. However, the exam is not easy and requires hands-on experience with AWS services. The exam is scenario-focused, so you need to understand how AWS services work together to solve real-world problems.
But don’t let that hold you back! I am here to support you and share with you my way to pass the AWS Certificate Associate exam in just 30 days.
What is AWS Certificate Solutions Architect Associate Certification?
With the rise of cloud computing, companies have constantly been shifting from running their infrastructure on premise, which is difficult to manage, to running them on cloud, which offers far more elasticity in terms of scaling as well as resiliency in case a disaster strikes, so the AWS AWS Certificate Solutions Architect Associate Certification validates your ability to design and deploy well architected solutions on AWS, which is the leading cloud provider today. In simple terms, this exam tests your ability to propose an architecture, given a specific scenario, for example, a company wants their application to continue running, even if a disaster strikes and an entire AWS region is down where the application was being hosted. In this case, how would you design their infrastructure around this use case?
Test Format
The test have quite a simple format, with 65 questions and 130 minutes to answer them, so you will get about 2 minutes per question. The questions are based on the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Blueprint, which covers the following domains: Cloud Concepts, AWS Services, Security, Cost Optimization, and Compliance.
The AWS Test consists of multiple-choice and multiple-answer questions. Multiple-choice questions have one correct answer, while multiple-answer questions have two or more correct answers.
The grading or scoring is percentile based and varies from 100 to 1000, and you need at least 720 to pass the test. This means you need to answer correctly at least 72% of given questions in order to pass. Also, as long as you pass the exam, your score doesn’t really matter. The score will only be available on your score report, not on the actual certificate. The cost of taking this exam is 150 US dollars, and with taxes, it comes out to 177 USD with taxes.
If you do not pass the AWS Test the first time, don’t worry. You can re-take the exam after 14 days, and can re-take the exam as many times as you need to pass.
Test Options
You can either take this test offline at a testing center or online at the comfort of your home.
If you want to work the traditional way, you can take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. You will go to a testing center, sit at a computer, and take the exam under the supervision of a proctor. There are over 500 Pearson VUE testing centers in over 180 countries. You can find a list of testing centers near you by visiting the Pearson VUE website and searching by ZIP code.
You can also take the AWS Test online through Pearson VUE’s OnVUE platform. This option allows you to take the exam from home or anywhere else with an internet connection. Nevertheless, you will need a webcam and microphone to take the exam. To find a testing center or schedule an online exam, you can visit the Pearson VUE website
Strategy
My plan is divided into 4 weeks, with 4 scopes
In the first week, I learned all the foundational knowledge about the different AWS services. I think this part is crucial, as this will be your base for every skill you achieve in the future. You can do this by reading the AWS Documentation or taking an online course. There are many free and paid online resources available to help you do this. Don’t forget to take practice exam between each lesson to assess your knowledge and identify areas where you need to improve.
Here are some specific resources that you can use to help you study AWS:
- AWS Documentation: The AWS Documentation provides detailed information on all of the AWS services.
- AWS Training: The AWS Training offers a variety of courses that can help you prepare for the certification exam.
- AWS Practice Exams: The AWS Practice Exams can help you assess your knowledge and prepare for the certification exam.
- Udemy: Udemy offers a variety of courses on AWS, including courses that are specifically designed to help you prepare for the certification exam.
- Coursera: Coursera offers a variety of courses on AWS, including courses that are specifically designed to help you prepare for the certification exam.
In the next week, you should continue learning about the different AWS services. Level up your game by comparing them and studying deeper about their functions. Make sure you understand the different services and how they work together. And as you did in the first week, don’t forget to take another practice exam to identify flaws and improve them. If you feel confident about your knowledge, challenge yourself by getting some actual hands-on experience with AWS services. This is a great way to apply your knowledge and test your skills.
In week 3, you should have a deep understanding of AWS services by now, but continue learning about them to be ready for the test ahead of you. Your practice exam must also be at the same level as the real test. This will help you ensure that you are ready for the real exam. You can start creating your own AWS solutions. This is a great way to apply your knowledge and test your skills.
During the final weeks, it is not a good idea to cram more knowledge, as it could make you overloaded. You should only review the exam topics to ensure you are familiar with all of the exam topics. Review your notes. This will help you solidify your knowledge of the material. Of course, you can take mock test, but this is optional as you do not want a reverse effect of learning too much. From my experience, it is best to relax, read previous notes and ask people who have taken the exam to give some experiences.
You are now ready to take the exam. Go on and good luck!
This is just a sample study plan according to mine, and you may need to adjust it to fit your own needs and schedule. However, if you follow this plan, I believe you will be well-prepared to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam in 30 days. It is a little bit intense – I know, I have been through this, but trust me, it will be worth it.