Three Paths to Cloud Competence: Contrasting AWS, GCP, and Azure Fundamental Certification Exams
The demand for cloud computing expertise is growing as businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure. For those embarking on a career in the cloud, a common question arises:
“Which cloud provider should I specialize in?”
While numerous articles address the factors influencing this decision — such as market demand, relevance, and unique services — this piece takes a different approach. Instead of guiding you toward a specific provider, this article will explore the foundational certifications offered by three major cloud platforms: AWS, GCP, and Azure. I will discuss the nuances of each foundational exam, comparing their unique characteristics and topics covered. Additionally, this article will discuss specific strategies for conquering each foundational certification, providing personal insights to help you prepare effectively, regardless of which path you choose.
Many newcomers to cloud computing start with these fundamental certifications to gain a broad understanding before specializing. Even experienced professionals might consider these exams to formalize their knowledge or explore different platforms. As someone who has pursued the foundational certifications from all three major providers, I believe in the importance of a broad knowledge base before specializing. This approach, often referred to as T-shaped learning, allows one to build a solid foundation across different platforms before diving deeper into a particular provider. It not only helps in understanding the unique offerings of each platform but also informs one’s decision when choosing a cloud platform to specialize in.
Before going into the specifics of each exam, I will go over each of the three major cloud providers.
Overview of AWS, GCP, and Azure
Before diving into the specifics of each certification, it’s important to understand the unique strengths and services of the major cloud providers. This overview will help set the context for the certification discussions that follow.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is often considered the pioneer of cloud computing and remains the market leader. It offers an extensive range of services, covering almost every conceivable cloud computing need. It’s particularly strong in areas like serverless computing with AWS Lambda. One might be drawn to AWS for its comprehensive suite of services and its dominant market position, which often translates to widespread job opportunities.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
GCP, while a later entrant to the market, has quickly gained ground with its innovative offerings. It boasts strong containerization and Kubernetes technology, leveraging Google’s extensive experience in this area. GCP is also known for its advanced data analytics and machine learning capabilities, making it an attractive option for organizations looking to leverage AI technologies. GCP’s emphasis on open-source technologies appeals to many developers and organizations committed to open standards.
Microsoft Azure (AZ)
Azure has seen rapid growth, especially among enterprises already invested in Microsoft technologies. It offers seamless integration with Microsoft’s extensive suite of business tools and services, making it a natural choice for organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Azure’s comprehensive identity and access management through Azure Active Directory is another strong selling point, particularly for large enterprises with complex security requirements.
Foundational Certification Exams
With a general understanding of these major cloud platforms, let’s turn our attention to their respective foundational certifications. These entry-level certifications are designed to validate a broad understanding of each provider’s cloud offerings, services, and general cloud concepts. While they share some common ground, each certification reflects its provider’s unique approach to cloud computing.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
The exam format primarily includes multiple-choice questions, with a decent portion being multi-select, where you typically choose two options from five. Questions span a wide range of topics from core services like compute, storage, networking, databases, security, IAM, cost management, and serverless offerings, to areas such as machine learning and best practices.
From my personal experience, the technical questions are usually straightforward, asking you to identify which AWS service fits a particular scenario. The more challenging questions often pertain to best practices, requiring a solid understanding of how to architect solutions that not only function effectively but also adhere to AWS’s Well-Architected Framework. Another critical area of focus in the exam is AWS’s Support Plans. Expect to encounter questions that test your knowledge on this topic, necessitating some memorization.
I found using flashcards to associate various services with their descriptions or functions particularly useful for mastering the more straightforward technical sections of the exam.
The exam can be taken either at a testing center or online via a proctor through Pearson Vue. I opted to take the test online, which requires a rigorous setup to ensure integrity: a clear desk and room, no interruptions, and all notifications turned off. It’s also important to take care of personal comforts, like using the restroom and hydrating beforehand, as the exam is 90 minutes long. Ensure your camera, microphone, and network connection are fully functional. It’s advisable to use your device’s built-in microphone and speakers as earphones or headphones might be flagged by the proctor.
The exam includes 65 questions, with a passing score of 700 out of 1000. Notably, only 50 of these questions count towards your final score — the remaining 15 are unscored, but since it’s not disclosed which ones these are, it’s important to perform your best on every question. Typically, results are available on Credly just a few hours after the exam concludes.
GCP Cloud Digital Leader (CDL)
The exam format consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions, unlike AWS or Azure. It extensively covers Google Cloud services across common topics like compute, storage, networking, and security. However, what sets it apart is the emphasis on signature services such as Cloud Run, App Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, BigQuery, Anthos, and its suite of machine learning services — a significant portion of the exam is dedicated to these areas.
Apart from the technical questions, the rest of the questions are designed to assess your ability to leverage Google Cloud technologies for driving digital transformation and adding business value. You will encounter scenarios that require strategic thinking about how to best utilize these services to boost operational efficiency and foster innovation. The exam also includes questions on modernizing businesses using APIs and various migration strategies, demanding a solid understanding of Google’s methodologies for upgrading infrastructure and applications, as well as its commitment to digital transformation.
An effective study strategy for this certification involves a deep dive into the nuances of different services, understanding where one might be more appropriate than another. Given that Google Cloud has fewer services than AWS and Azure, the challenge often lies in grasping these subtle differences.
Locally in Davao City, my only option was to take the exam through their online offering, using Kryterion’s proctoring software. Similar to other remote exams, this format requires a controlled environment — ensure your workspace is tidy, private, and without interruptions.
The exam consists of 50 questions, and to pass, you must score at least 70%. Results are typically available days after completion, and the exact score is not disclosed. Like AWS, the certification details are accessible through Credly.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
The AZ-900 exam stands out with its varied format compared to the AWS and GCP exams. It uniquely combines multiple-choice questions with matching types, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions, providing a comprehensive assessment of candidates’ understanding of Azure.
The exam extensively covers Azure’s core services including compute, storage, networking, and security. However, unlike its counterparts from other cloud providers, it does not delve deeply into databases, analytics, or machine learning services. Instead, it places a significant emphasis on Azure’s integration capabilities with other Microsoft products, which is invaluable for organizations deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem. Key topics include Azure CLI, Azure Resource Manager, Azure Management Groups, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Arc, and Microsoft’s robust solutions for Identity and Access Management — critical areas for effectively securing and managing cloud environments.
For preparation, I recommend utilizing flashcards to get a good understanding of the different Azure services. In particular, I also recommend familiarizing yourself with concepts like identity federation, SAML, and Role Based Access Controls. These topics are essential for understanding Azure’s approach to security and identity management.
Based on my experience, the only available option for taking the exam in Davao City was online, using a proctoring service provided by Pearson Vue. As with other proctored exams, it’s important to prepare a proctor-ready environment — ensure your workspace is clean, private, and free from interruptions.
The AZ-900 exam includes about 30–40 questions, and achieving a passing score requires at least 700 out of 1000 points. Each question may involve multiple items for a total score of 50. Microsoft promptly provides results a few hours after the exam, along with a detailed score report to highlight areas of strength and those needing further improvement. Currently, certification details are accessible through the Microsoft Learn site, differing from AWS and GCP, which use Credly for certification verification.
Conclusion
The foundational exams for AWS, GCP, and Azure each reflect the unique strengths and philosophies of their respective platforms. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam offers a comprehensive dive into AWS’s extensive service ecosystem, ideal for those seeking a thorough technical foundation. The Google Cloud Digital Leader certification emphasizes the strategic application of cloud technologies in business transformation, showcasing Google’s focus on innovation and data-driven solutions. The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam strikes a balance between technical knowledge and integration with Microsoft’s broader suite of tools, mirroring its strong enterprise presence.
These certifications not only highlight the differences in content and focus among the top cloud providers but also underline varied approaches to cloud education. By understanding these distinctions, professionals can better prepare for the exams and appreciate the diverse landscape of cloud computing. Each path offers unique insights, contributing to a well-rounded understanding of cloud environments and positioning professionals to drive innovation in an increasingly cloud-centric tech world.
Ingenuity Software has played a crucial role in my journey through cloud certifications. The supportive culture and commitment to upskilling at Ingenuity have been invaluable. Colleagues frequently share tips and resources, fostering an environment conducive to continuous learning and professional growth. This collaborative atmosphere has greatly contributed to my success in these examinations.
To those planning to take their first cloud certification exam: Good luck, and may your journey through the clouds be as rewarding as it is enlightening! ☁️
