Are you preparing for the AWS Security – Specialty Exam and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material you need to study? Don’t worry, with proper planning and preparation, passing the exam can be easy. This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to pass the AWS Security – Specialty Exam with ease.
Understanding the Exam
Before diving into the preparation, it’s essential to understand what the AWS Security – Specialty Exam entails. This exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in securing applications and infrastructure on the AWS platform. It covers topics such as identity and access management, data protection, monitoring and logging, incident response, and much more. The exam consists of 65 questions, and you have 170 minutes to complete it. Passing score is 750 out of 1000.
The price of the exams is $300 so that makes it all the more important that you prepare well and secure that first time pass. Bad joke, sorry. Note: you will have a 50% discount from any other AWS exams you’ve passed so be sure to use those!
Creating a Study Plan
Creating a study plan is the first step in your exam preparation. The AWS Security – Specialty Exam covers a wide range of topics, and it’s essential to have a plan that covers all of them. You can create a study plan by following these steps:
Step 1: Review the Exam Guide
The exam guide is the best source of information to understand the exam’s format, content, and objectives. Reviewing the exam guide will help you determine what topics to focus on and what resources to use.
Step 2: Identify Your Weaknesses
Identify your weaknesses by taking practice tests, reviewing your notes, and identifying areas where you need improvement. Focus on these areas during your preparation. A lot of these practice exams will label which particular section of the exams their questions are focused on so you can use that to see which sections you’re lacking in more than others. Not all sections are created equal, some are worth more than others.
Here’s a breakdown of the sections in the exam:
| Domain | % of exam |
| Domain 1: Incident Response | 12% |
| Domain 2: Logging and Monitoring | 20% |
| Domain 3: Infrastructure Security | 26% |
| Domain 4: Identity and Access Management | 20% |
| Domain 5: Data Protection | 22% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
So you can clearly see here the difference between the sections. Domain 1 only carries 12% of the marks for the exam whereas Domain 3 carries over twice as many with 26%. This table can be very useful when deciding the topics you need to brush up on and the questions you should be focusing on during your practice.
Step 3: Set a Study Schedule
Set a study schedule that suits your learning style and work schedule. Break down your study plan into smaller, achievable goals, and allocate specific times to study each day.
It’s been shown in numerous studies that people are not capable of more than 4 hours of deep work in any giving day. So aim for quality over quantity. Don’t go studying 12 hours day because 8 of them will be pretty worthless in the grand scheme of things.
Step 4: Gather Resources
Gather resources such as AWS documentation, whitepapers, and practice exams. Ensure that you have access to up-to-date study materials.
Here are some of my favorite practice exams for the AWS Security – Specialty exam:
- AWS Security – Specialty exam – Tutorials Dojo.
- AWS Security – Specialty exam – Whizzlabs.
- AWS Security – Specialty exam – ExamTopics.
Exam Preparation
Once you have created your study plan, it’s time to start preparing for the exam. Here are some tips on how to prepare effectively:
Tip 1: Use Official Study Materials
AWS provides official study materials such as AWS documentation, whitepapers, and training courses. Use these materials as your primary study resource. They are up-to-date and cover all the exam topics.
Tip 2: Take Practice Tests
Practice tests are an excellent way to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need improvement. Take as many practice tests as possible, and review your results to determine where you need to focus your studies.
Tip 3: Create Flashcards
Flashcards are an effective study tool that can help you memorize key concepts and definitions. Create flashcards for each exam topic and review them regularly.
Most of my flashcards begin with the word “How…” because with these level of exams, you cannot just simply memorize things. You’re being tested on your ability to apply knowledge rather than just regurgitate it on the day.
So, when you’re making your flashcards, focus on How something works and you will find it easier to do the practice exams and actually apply the knowledge. It will also allow you brain to build connections between things and commit it to your long term memory.
Tip 4: Join Study Groups
Joining a study group can help you learn from others and share knowledge. Join online study groups or create your own with other exam takers.
If you work for a company that uses AWS a lot, you can setup a group with some of your fellow colleagues. This can be really effective.
Study groups allow you to hold each other accountable so you don’t fall behind on your studies.
Tip 5: Take Breaks
Studying for long periods can lead to burnout and fatigue. Take regular breaks to relax and recharge. A good technique is the Pomodoro in which you work for 25 minutes and take a 5 minute, then repeat this for however long you’re studying for that day. It’s been shown that these little breaks can reset your brain a little and allow for more effective study in the next session.
There’s lots of mobile apps you can find for this.
Exam Day
On exam day, it’s essential to be well-rested and prepared. Here are some tips to help you on the day of the exam:
Tip 1: Arrive Early
Assuming you’re taking the exam online (this will be the only way to do so soon), then make sure your desk is nice and clear, your camera is working as well as your microphone. You’ll also need your passport and your phone for the pre-exam checks.
Tip 2: Stay Calm
Remain calm and focused during the exam. Don’t rush through the questions, read them carefully, and take your time to answer.
Tip 3: Use the Review Function
After answering all the questions, use the review function to go back and check your answers. Review all the questions, even if you think you have answered them correctly.
It’s a good idea to mark the questions you think are really hard for review and come back to them at the end. Just to be sure you’re giving yourself enough time to answer the easier questions and pick up those marks before moving on to the hard ones.
Tip 4: Guess if Necessary
If you’re unsure of an answer, make an educated guess. You won’t lose points for incorrect answers, so it’s better to guess than leave the question unanswered.
This is a last resort. If you’ve prepared well, you’ll usually be able to eliminate 2 of the possible answers which leaves you with a 50/50 chance in most cases of getting the answer right, so take your best guess.
Tip 5: Stay Positive
Stay positive and confident throughout the exam. Don’t let a difficult question or two discourage you. Remember, you have prepared well, and you can do this!
Conclusion
Passing the AWS Security – Specialty Exam can be easy if you follow a proper study plan and prepare effectively. Remember to review the exam guide, identify your weaknesses, set a study schedule, and gather up-to-date study resources. Use official study materials, take practice tests, create flashcards, join study groups, and take breaks. On exam day, stay calm, use the review function, guess if necessary, and stay positive. Good luck on your exam! You can check out some of my other articles on how to pass AWS exams here.
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