The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is one of the most popular and valuable cloud computing certifications today. Achieving this certification demonstrates expertise in designing distributed systems and architectures on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Specifically, the certification covers skills in compute, networking, storage, and database AWS services. It also tests knowledge in security, compliance, cloud architecture best practices, and the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
Though coding experience is not required, basic programming knowledge can be advantageous for the exam. The certification is a great starting point for IT professionals with on-premises or other cloud experience looking to showcase AWS skills.
By passing the updated SAA-C03 exam, professionals can gain credibility and trust when interacting with stakeholders. The certification also enhances career profiles and earnings potential in cloud architect roles.
Overall, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification validates technical expertise across a broad range of AWS services. It showcases an ability to design secure, robust, and cost-optimized distributed systems on AWS.
Benefits of getting certified
Achieving the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification demonstrates hands-on experience with AWS services and the ability to design distributed systems on AWS. The certification validates technical skills in compute, storage, database, networking, security, and other key services on the AWS platform. It enhances credibility and trust when engaging with stakeholders on cloud projects. The certification also boosts career advancement and salary potential for roles like Cloud Architect and Cloud Engineer. Overall, the certification signals expertise in cloud architecture and helps professionals stand out in the competitive cloud computing job market.
SAA-C02 exam details and updates for 2022
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam was updated to version SAA-C02 in 2020. This latest exam covers new AWS services and architectural best practices across compute, storage, database, networking, security, and other domains. Major changes include greater emphasis on cost optimization, security, and newer services like AWS Lambda. The exam fee remains $150 USD and consists of 65 multiple choice questions over 130 minutes. SAA-C02 will likely see minor updates in 2022 as AWS continues to innovate, but core concepts will remain similar. Candidates can prepare through official practice tests, sample questions, and recommended courses.
Preparing for the Exam
Though AWS does not mandate specific experience requirements, at least 1 year of hands-on experience with AWS services is highly recommended. This allows sufficient time to gain proficiency in key services across compute, storage, database, networking, analytics, and security. Some programming experience in a language like Python also helps though coding skills are not tested. Overall, candidates should have experience with cloud architecture principles, AWS Well-Architected Framework, and be able to demonstrate real-world expertise in designing systems on AWS. Hands-on practice is vital to pass the solutions architect associate exam.
Exam objectives and domains
The SAA-C02 exam covers four key domains:
- Design Resilient Architectures (30%)
- Design High-Performing Architectures (28%)
- Design Secure Applications (24%)
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (18%)
The exam validates skills in compute, storage, database, networking, scalability, elasticity, deployment, security, and managing costs with AWS services. Candidates should know AWS Well-Architected Framework best practices, how to design robust and secure applications, and implementation guidance based on requirements. Reviewing the exam guide domains and knowledge areas helps tailor preparation.
Key services and concepts to study
To pass the SAA-C02 exam, candidates should focus on learning key AWS services for compute, storage, database, networking, analytics, security, management, and monitoring. Important concepts include AWS Well-Architected Framework pillars, building fault-tolerant architectures, decoupling, elasticity, high availability, hybrid cloud, VPCs, access management, encryption, cost optimization, and horizontal/vertical scaling. Hands-on experience with core services like EC2, S3, DynamoDB, RDS, and Lambda is vital. Reviewing use cases, best practices, and limits for each service tested makes preparation more effective.
Official Resources
The official exam guide for SAA-C02 provides an overview of the certification, exam content, sample questions, and test-taking tips. It outlines the knowledge domains tested like compute, storage, database, networking, security, and architecture best practices. The guide has example questions on AWS services, use cases, architectures, and scenarios to expect on the exam. Reviewing the exam guide gives a comprehensive picture of the structure, format, content scope, and question styles of the updated solutions architect associate exam. Using the guide and sample questions helps benchmark readiness.
Sample questions
Here are some sample questions that could be included on a practice exam for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification:
– What AWS service allows you to host a relational database in the cloud?
– You need to store unstructured data like images, videos, and documents. Which AWS storage service would be the most cost-effective option?
– Your application needs to process a large number of messages per second. Which AWS messaging service should you use?
– You are designing a highly available architecture on AWS. How can you achieve redundancy across Availability Zones?
– You need to restrict access to your Amazon S3 buckets using identity-based policies. Which approach would meet this requirement?
– Your application is experiencing sudden spikes in traffic. How can you auto-scale your infrastructure to handle these changes?
The sample questions cover key AWS services and scenarios related to designing cloud architectures. They test knowledge across storage, compute, database, networking, security, scalability, and other domains covered on the certification exam.
Whitepapers
AWS publishes technical whitepapers that provide in-depth information on using AWS services, best practices, and reference architectures. Whitepapers like ‘Architecting for the Cloud’ and ‘Practicing Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery on AWS’ are highly recommended to understand key concepts for the solutions architect exam. Reading whitepapers on the Well-Architected Framework, storage, compute, networking, analytics, and security services gives hands-on expertise. Relevant whitepapers reinforce learning and help connect real-world scenarios with exam topics.
Official Resources
AWS offers several training options including digital courses on AWS Training and Certification portal and classroom training for more hands-on learning. The recommended digital course for the solutions architect associate certification is the ‘AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02)’ which thoroughly covers exam domains.
Acloud Guru and Linux Academy also have comprehensive video courses that help learn key services through demos and labs. Coursera, Udemy, and other e-learning platforms offer affordable on-demand courses for exam prep.
For interactive learning, Qwiklabs provides lab environments to gain practical experience using AWS services. Hands-on practice building systems, load testing, and troubleshooting boosts real-world cloud skills.
Whizlabs, Tutorials Dojo, and other providers have practice exams that help assess exam readiness through scenario-based questions. Mock tests reinforce knowledge and identify gaps for improvement before the actual certification exam.
A combination of AWS official digital courses, video training, hands-on labs, and practice tests ensures comprehensive preparation and the highest chance of passing the solutions architect associate exam.
Practice Tests
Taking practice exams is critical to pass the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam. They reinforce knowledge of key services and concepts through scenario-based questions similar to the actual test. Practice tests help assess exam readiness by identifying gaps in learning to focus further study. They provide experience with timing, pacing, and endurance needed for the real 3-hour exam. Practice tests also give confidence to perform well under pressure. Leveraging resources like sample questions, mock exams, and test prep courses boosts exam preparation.
Recommended practice test providers
Here are some recommended AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C02 practice exam providers:
– AWS Practice Exams by Whizlabs – Realistic questions covering all exam domains. Good for identifying knowledge gaps.
– Jon Bonso Practice Tests – In-depth explanations for each question. Mimics actual exam experience.
– Tutorials Dojo Practice Exams – Five exam modes including timed and review. Detailed answers provided.
– Neal Davis Practice Exams – Affordable tests with flashcards. Focuses on key concepts.
– Braincert Practice Exams – Cloud simulator labs to build hands-on skills.
The most effective practice tests have questions mapped to the exam guide, provide detailed explanations, simulate the real exam, and identify areas for improvement. Doing practice exams from multiple providers gives exposure to different question styles and reinforces learning.
What’s New in the SAA-C02 Exam
The SAA-C02 exam implemented in 2020 features updated domains and coverage of new services compared to the previous SAA-C01 exam. There is increased focus on designing cost-optimized architectures, security, and leveraging newer AWS offerings like Lambda, DynamoDB, and API Gateway. The 4 domains – Well Architected Framework, Compute, Storage & Content Delivery, Networking, Automation & Scaling, and Security now align with the AWS Solutions Architect role. Reviewing changes helps tailor preparation to the latest blueprint and prevents wasting time studying outdated services or objectives.
New services and concepts added
The SAA-C02 exam covers newer AWS services like AWS Lambda for serverless computing, Amazon DynamoDB for NoSQL databases, and Amazon API Gateway for building APIs. There is increased focus on using these managed services to architect solutions instead of handling infrastructure. Key concepts added include horizontal/vertical scaling, decoupling, serverless, and infrastructure as code (IaC). Reviewing recent AWS product launches and architectural best practices ensures preparation aligns with the updated exam blueprint.
Tips for Passing the Exam
Have hands-on experience
Gaining hands-on experience using AWS services is critical to pass the solutions architect associate exam. Working through real-world scenarios gives the practical knowledge needed for the scenario-based questions on the test. Hands-on practice also reinforces core concepts like building fault tolerant architectures, decoupling, scaling, and automation. AWS offers free tier access and trial accounts to gain this vital experience. Completing labs, building demo applications, and testing different architectures ensures readiness across all the exam domains. There are no shortcuts – hands-on expertise is essential for exam success.
Use practice tests
Taking practice tests is essential for success on the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam. They provide exposure to the question format and difficulty of the real test, reinforcing key concepts and knowledge. Practice tests identify weak areas to focus additional study on. Repeated practice builds speed, accuracy, and confidence for the actual exam. Leverage resources like AWS sample questions, mock exams from A Cloud Guru, and the Whizlabs practice test simulator. Measure readiness and target final preparation based on practice test performance.
Read questions carefully
Carefully reading each question is critical to success on the AWS Solutions Architect certification exam. Questions may be long with a lot of information, so take time to fully understand the scenario described. Identify the key details and don’t make assumptions. Eliminate incorrect answers, then choose the response that best answers the question asked. Don’t rush – comprehending the question properly ensures selecting the right solution. Taking a few extra seconds to re-read can make the difference between passing and failing this challenging exam.
Manage time effectively
Effectively managing time during the 130 minutes AWS Solutions Architect exam is critical to attempt all 65 questions. Skip difficult questions, flag them, and return later to maximize time on easier parts first. Pace yourself to spend under 2 minutes per question, allowing buffer time to review flagged items. Avoid getting bogged down pondering one question. Eliminate incorrect choices, make an educated guess if unsure, then move on. Practicing timed mock exams ensures efficient time allocation skills for the real test.
Review missed questions
Here are some tips for reviewing missed questions when preparing for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam:
– Carefully read through the question and all answer choices again to understand why your selection was incorrect. Don’t skim or make assumptions.
– Review the documentation or knowledge area tested by that question to reinforce the key concept. Look for gaps in understanding that led to missing the question.
– If still unsure, look up explanations for that question online or in practice test providers’ content. Use the opportunity to learn.
– Make notes on commonly missed topics and focus study time on those areas. Repeat practice questions on weak domains.
– Don’t get discouraged. Learn from mistakes and use them to strengthen preparation. Review patterns in wrong answers to improve test taking skills.
Next Steps After Certification
Career benefits
Achieving AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification can significantly boost cloud computing careers. The certification validates hands-on expertise with AWS services which is highly valued by employers. It opens up new job opportunities and helps stand out in the competitive cloud job market. Certified professionals can command higher salaries with an average $113,932 per year for AWS architects. Overall, the certification demonstrates real-world cloud architecture skills and can fast track careers to higher level roles like Senior Cloud Architect.
Maintaining certification
The certification of Associate AWS Certified Solutions Architect is good for three years. To renew, certified professionals must either retake and pass the latest SAA-C03 exam or complete an approved AWS specialty, professional-level, or recertification exam. Continuing education and re-certification ensures architects stay updated on new AWS services, features, best practices, and architectural patterns. Renewing also enables professionals to showcase ongoing cloud architecture expertise to employers.
Higher level certifications
AWS offers several training options including digital courses on AWS Training and Certification portal and classroom training for more hands-on learning. The recommended digital course for the solutions architect associate certification is the ‘AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02)’ which thoroughly covers exam domains like designing resilient, high-performing, secure, and cost-optimized architectures.
A Cloud Guru, Linux Academy, and other e-learning platforms also have comprehensive video courses that help learn key services through demos and labs. These reinforce concepts like compute, storage, database, networking, security, automation, monitoring, and troubleshooting on AWS.
For interactive learning, hands-on labs from Qwiklabs provide practical experience using AWS services to build cloud skills. Completing labs on core topics ensures readiness across all exam domains.
Whizlabs, Tutorials Dojo, Neal Davis and other providers have practice exams that evaluate exam readiness through scenario-based questions. Mock tests identify knowledge gaps for improvement before the actual solutions architect certification exam.
A combination of official AWS digital courses, video training, hands-on labs, and practice tests ensures comprehensive preparation and the highest chance of passing the challenging solutions architect associate exam.
Conclusion
Gaining AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification validates hands-on expertise in designing robust and secure cloud architectures on Amazon Web Services. While AWS does not mandate experience requirements, at least one year of hands-on practice with core services is highly recommended for exam success.
Thorough preparation using official AWS training courses, video tutorials, whitepapers, hands-on labs, and practice tests ensures comprehension of key concepts across all exam domains. Focus learning on cloud architecture principles, Well-Architected Framework pillars, compute, storage, database, networking, security, automation, monitoring, and cost optimization.
Passing the challenging SAA-C02 exam opens up new career opportunities and higher earning potential. Maintaining the certification by renewing every 3 years also demonstrates ongoing expertise to employers. While the exam will continue to evolve, foundational architecture skills and hands-on AWS knowledge will remain key to success.
Leveraging all available learning resources, gaining practical experience, and dedicating time for practice and review will maximize chances of passing on the first attempt. For those seeking to advance their cloud computing careers, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is a proven stepping stone.
