From Zero to AWS Certified: A Step-by-Step Journey to the AWS Solution Architect Associate Credential
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Are you ready to take your cloud computing skills to the next level? Whether you’re a seasoned IT professional or just starting out in the field, earning an AWS Solution Architect Associate credential can open up new career opportunities and demonstrate your expertise in Amazon Web Services. But where do you even begin? In this blog post, we’ll take you on a step-by-step journey from zero to AWS Certified, outlining everything you need to know about preparing for and passing the exam. So let’s get started!
Introduction to AWS Solution Architect Associate Certification (c03) #
If you’re considering pursuing this credential, then you’re probably wondering what it takes to earn it. In this article, we’ll explore the prerequisites for the exam, review some of the key topics covered on the test, and provide some tips for studying and taking the exam. By the end of this article, you should have a good understanding of what it takes to become an AWS Certified Solution Architect Associate.
Do I need practical infrastructure experience to qualify for AWS? #
The answer is no. Because I didn’t have any Infra experiences to pass the AWS exam. All you have to do is just study up and charge your cloud computing skills by hands-on.
On average, I studied for 1 ~ 2 hours everyday after work. And let me show my study log and timeline to pass the SAA exam.
Start Studying AWS SAA
Study fields
- Major AWS services
- Resilient Architectures
- High-performance architecture
1st - 2nd month
Study fields
- Minor AWS services
- Cost-Optimized architecture
- Secure architecture
3rd month
Study fields
- Repeat Mock Test
- Take the SAA exam
As a result, it took me 3 months to pass the SAA exam. About the study resourses, I will mention about it later on.
What Do You Need to Prepare for the Exam? #
Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of core AWS features and how they can be used to build applications that are secure and resilient.
To sum up, you need to have a good understanding enough about these knowledge to pass the aws SAA exam.
- Design Secure Architectures
- Design Resilient Architectures
- Design High-Performing Architectures
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures
In addition to having hands-on experience with AWS, candidates should also review the official Exam Guide from Amazon Web Services. This guide provides an overview of the topics covered on the exam, as well as sample questions and mock exams. Reviewing this guide will help candidates identify areas where they need further study and better prepare them for the exam overall.
Study Resources Available #
If you’re looking to get started on your journey to becoming AWS certified, you’re in luck - there are plenty of resources available to help you out. Here are a few of our favorites:
Udemy : It’s one of the most famous online learning-platform all over the world. They provide us excellent & high quality online courses for AWS Solution Architect, too.
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide: This guide, published by Amazon themselves, is an excellent resource for anyone studying for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam. It covers all the necessary topics in detail, and includes practice exams to help you prepare.
ACloudGuru’s AWS Certified Solutions Architect Course: This course, offered by one of the leading providers of cloud computing training, is a comprehensive and well-structured way to prepare for the exam. It includes over 20 hours of video content and hands-on labs.
Linux Academy’s AWS Certified Solutions Architect Bootcamp: This bootcamp from another well-respected provider of cloud training will give you a solid foundation in all things AWS. It consists of over 40 hours of video content, hands-on labs, and practice exams.
Among these great study resources, I used Udemy to boost up my cloud computing skills. Here are my recommended udemy courses which help me study AWS a lot.
- Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C03
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exams
First, I recommend you to take the first one to learn about the basic knowledge about aws services. After you finish charging the aws knowledge, you can take the second one for mock test.
Exam Strategy and Tips to Pass the Exam #
When you are planning to take the AWS Solutions Architect Exam, there are a few things that you should keep in mind in order to ensure that you pass the exam.
- Have a solid understanding of all of the topics that will be covered on the exam
- Create a study plan and make sure that you are sticking to it
- Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast
Case Studies & Sample Questions #
There are plenty of resources out there for finding case studies and sample questions. The AWS website itself has a few good ones, but there are also many other websites and forums that have helpful information. Here are a few of our favorites:
-The AWS Case Studies page: This page contains links to case studies from a variety of companies that have used AWS in interesting ways. Each study includes information on the customer’s business challenge, how they used AWS to solve it, and the results they achieved.
-The Cloud Academy Sample Questions page: Cloud Academy offers a wide variety of sample questions for all levels of the AWS Certification exams. They also keep their list of questions up-to-date with the latest changes to the exams, so you can be confident you’re studying relevant material.
-Theprepquestions subreddit: This subreddit is dedicated to helping people prepare for their Amazon Web Services certification exams. In addition to providing links to study materials, users also share tips and tricks for passing the exam.
Strategies Used by Successful Candidates #
In order to successfully obtain the AWS Solution Architect Associate credential, candidates must first understand the exam content and format. The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions that cover a variety of topics related to AWS architecture. Candidates have 3 hours (180min) to complete the exam.
Prior to taking the exam, candidates should review the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide and familiarize themselves with the Exam Blueprint. The Study Guide provides an overview of each topic covered on the exam, while the Exam Blueprint outlines the specific skills that will be tested.
In addition to studying for the exam, candidates should also have experience working with AWS in a hands-on environment. The best way to gain this experience is through an AWS training course or working on an AWS project.
Some successful candidates have also used practice exams to help them prepare for the real thing. Practice exams can provide insight into which topics you need to focus on and identify any areas where you may need further study. There are many different providers of practice exams, so be sure to research a few before making your decision.
When you’re ready to take the exam, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to relax and focus on the task at hand. Arrive early so you can get settled in and take a few deep breaths before starting the test. Once you begin, work through each question carefully and don’t rush through it just to finish quickly. If you’re unsure about an answer, mark it
Conclusion #
Becoming AWS certified is no small feat, but with the right strategies and resources in place, you’re sure to get there. I hope that this article has been informative as well as motivational on your path toward success - best of luck!
About me #
For someone who doesn’t know me, here is the summary about me:)
- I started my IT career without any CS background
- I have a couple of years of working experiences as software developer (mainly mobile & web) in Japan
- I got tired of the life in Japan and moved to Vietnam, Da Nang
- I love to create the mobile apps, Youtube videos and share the life in Vietnam
- I hope I can create the space to connect devs all over the world:)
For more details, I am waiting for you on my Youtube channels:)