AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is a highly sought-after certification for professionals who work with AWS. This certification validates your understanding of the fundamental principles of AWS and the ability to design and deploy scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to pass the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam.
I’ve also got a post on How to Pass the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam.
AWS Associate Solutions Architect Exam
1. Understand the AWS Associate Solutions Architect Exam Structure
Before you start preparing for the exam, it is important to understand the structure of the exam. The AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam is a multiple-choice exam that consists of 65 questions. You have 130 minutes to complete the exam, and the passing score is 720 out of 1000. The exam is divided into two sections:
- Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures (30%)
- Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
- Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
- Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)
2. Study AWS Services
The most important step in preparing for the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam is to study AWS services. The exam covers a wide range of services, including compute, storage, databases, and networking. Make sure you have a solid understanding of the following services:
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2)
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)
- Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)
- Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS)
- Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC)
- Elastic Load Balancing (ELB)
- Amazon Route 53
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
3. Practice with Hands-On Labs
One of the best ways to prepare for the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam is to practice with hands-on labs. AWS provides a wide range of labs that cover different services and scenarios. These labs are a great way to gain practical experience and solidify your understanding of the concepts covered in the exam.
4. Use Study Guides and Practice Tests
There are several study guides and practice tests available that can help you prepare for the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam. These resources are a great way to identify areas where you need to focus your studies. Some popular study guides and practice tests include:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam Study Guide
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam Practice Tests
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam Dumps
5. Enroll in an Online Course
I have found these to be invaluable in my own studies with the AWS certifications. There are some great online courses out there, but my personal favorite would be those developed by Adrian Cantril. His courses are so detailed and enjoyable to watch you won’t even notice the time going by. He animates all his lessons so they are very interesting to watch and listen to. I normally struggle getting through 10 hour online courses but I was able to sit through 66 hours of his AWS Associate Solutions Architect Exam course because of how enjoyable it was.
Check out his courses here!
7. Time Management
Manage your time effectively during the exam. You have 130 minutes to complete the exam, so make sure you pace yourself and don’t get bogged down on any one question. If you’re struggling with a question, flag it for review and move on to the next one and come back to it later.
8. Don’t get bogged down by single topics
You will come across topics that you are not familiar with. Don’t spend too much time trying to understand the topic. Instead, try to understand the concept behind the topic and the related service.
9. Take regular Breaks
Taking regular breaks is important to maintain focus and avoid burnout. Make sure to take a break every hour or so in your studies and give your mind a chance to rest. This will help you to feel refreshed and energized, and will also help to prevent fatigue.
10. Review Exam Results
After taking the exam, review your exam results. Understand your score and the areas where you need to improve. This will help you to identify areas where you need to focus your studies.
A good idea is to make flashcards of your wrong answers and why the right answers were in fact correct. Study these and that will ensure that you’re actually learning and understanding the topic rather than just memorizing answers.
11. Re-take the exam if necessary
If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, don’t get discouraged. Many people have to retake the exam multiple times before passing. Use the feedback from your exam results to identify areas where you need to improve, and continue to study and practice.
12. Attend AWS training or use AWS official documentation
AWS provides a wide range of training options that can help you prepare for the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam. You can attend AWS training sessions, watch online tutorials, or read AWS official documentation. These resources are a great way to gain a deeper understanding of AWS services and concepts covered in the exam.
13. Understand the AWS Associate Solutions Architect Exam Scenario
AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam is scenario-based, which means that a significant portion of the exam will be based on real-world scenarios and use cases. It is essential to understand how different services and concepts work together to solve these scenarios. Try to practice different scenarios and use cases using AWS services to get a better understanding of how they work together.
14. Understand the exam pricing
AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam is a paid exam, therefore, it is important to understand the pricing of the exam. Understand the cost of the exam, retake fees and any other additional fees. This will help you to budget your exam costs and plan accordingly.
Check out prices here.
15. Stay up to date with AWS updates
AWS services are constantly evolving and updating. To pass the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest updates and changes to AWS services. This will help you to understand the latest features and capabilities of AWS services, and how they can be used to solve real-world scenarios.
Conclusion: AWS Associate Solutions Architect Exam
In conclusion, passing the AWS Associate Solutions Architect exam requires a combination of knowledge, practice, and understanding. By attending AWS training, reading AWS official documentation, understanding the exam scenario, pricing, and staying up to date with AWS updates, you can increase your chances of passing the exam. Remember to always stay positive, focused and determined. Best of luck with your exam!
If you enjoyed this post and got something from it, then check out my other AWS-based posts here!
Leave a Comment!