How to pass any AWS Exam
Having now taken what is considered the toughest two AWS exams, here are some tips and tricks to help you pass your next AWS Certification.
AWS Certified Advanced Networking Speciality certification (ANS-C01) is renowned to be (in my opinion) the most demanding AWS certification however this does not mean that AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02) is a walk in the park. The SA professional exam is challenging, but the advanced networking exam is VERY hard, consisting of detailed architectural questions and verbose multi-choice responses.
Decide where to begin.
There are no requirements for taking the exam in terms of prior certifications or experience so pick a level where you feel most comfortable.
If you’re new to AWS or unsure where to begin, the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification (CLF-C02) is an excellent starting point and provides a high-level introduction to AWS.
If you have some previous experience, consider taking the AWS Solutions Architect — Associate exam (SAA-C03). It provides a solid foundation for understanding AWS concepts and services. If you have previous cloud or infrastructure experience, this exam will help you transition into the AWS ecosystem.
Deep Dive into AWS Services and Best Practices
Familiarize yourself with the AWS services listed in the exam guide. Rate your knowledge of each service on a scale of 1 to 10, and focus on studying those that score below 6.
To aid your preparation, I highly recommend Tutorials Dojo AWS cheat sheets providing comparisons of key AWS services.
These resources will help you understand each service's nuances and best practices.
Labs, labs and more labs.
There are over 158 different services specifically called out in the exam guide for the SA Pro exam and it is highly unlikely you would have hands-on experience with all of them. If you lack direct experience with AWS or specific services, labs are a great way to learn AWS services. Get as much hands-on as you can with the services you are yet to be exposed to, ACloudGuru is great for labs on specific services plus it has AWS sandbox environments to gain extra exposure via the AWS console.
Practice exams.
Passing an AWS exam is not just a test of technical skill, it is also a skill of time management. Three hours (for the professional certification) may sound like a long time, but then throw in 75 architectural challenging questions and it will fly by!
Practice for brain fatigue, especially for professional and speciality exams. The exams are LONG, I would recommend doing at least a few practice exams before attempting the real certification, scrutinising incorrect topics in-depth and repeating.
Recommended resources:
https://portal.tutorialsdojo.com/product-category/aws/aws-practice-exams/ by Jon Bonso (Tutorials Dojo).
https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-certified-solutions-architect-professional-aws-practice-exams/ by Neel Davis.
Go for it!
Approach the exam with confidence and believe in your preparation. Put in the necessary work, follow the tips mentioned above, and remember that success comes with perseverance and dedication. Trust your abilities and go for it!
About the Author:
Laura Gardner is an AWS Architect here at Version 1.
