Comparing AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Factors to Consider

What Is AWS Cloud Computing?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a powerful cloud platform that dominates the market for cloud computing applications. AWS provides over 200 full-featured services from data centers located across the world. Government agencies, corporate firms, mid-sized enterprises, startups, and companies undertaking digital transformation are among the organizations that frequently utilize AWS to improve their efficiency.

Why AWS Certifications Are Important?

Because AWS is widely utilized in many enterprises for cloud infrastructure, IT workers are likely to interact with AWS directly. AWS currently offers 12 certificates at four levels: Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. Each level improves on the one before it. As you advance in your qualifications, you will be able to pursue a variety of employment routes. More information on the twelve current AWS certifications may be found here. The certificates and their respective levels are shown below.

Foundational

• AWS Cloud Practitioner

Associate

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

Professional

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

Specialty

• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• AWS Certified Database – Specialty
• AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

What Is AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect?

AWS Cloud Practitioner

This is an entry-level AWS certification designed to evaluate a candidate’s comprehensive knowledge of the AWS cloud. The AWS Cloud Practitioner credential is intended for those working in technical, management, sales, buying, or financial roles that use AWS Cloud.

The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam assesses a candidate’s ability to describe fundamental cloud infrastructure and architectural ideas, as well as crucial AWS platform services. You should also be able to describe AWS Cloud Services’ basic security and compliance features. The certification provides an overview of AWS’s key services, security, network and cloud pricing, and available support services.

AWS Solutions Architect

This certification validates your knowledge of system design, development, management, and deployment on the AWS cloud. This test is intended for students who have prior experience creating distributed applications. Before taking this test, you should be familiar with AWS security and compliance rules.

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AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Similarities

While there are certainly differences between the AWS Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect certifications, there are also some similarities:

• Both certifications are offered by AWS and are recognized globally.
• Both certifications require a solid understanding of AWS services, architecture, and infrastructure.
• Both certifications cover similar topics, such as AWS core services, security and compliance, and pricing and billing.
• Both certifications require passing an exam to obtain the certification.
• Both certifications can be used as a starting point for a career in cloud computing with AWS.

AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Prerequisites For Taking The Exam

AWS Cloud Practitioner

Six months of general AWS expertise and AWS Cloud experience is recommended.

To become an AWS Cloud Practitioner, you must understand the following:

• What is the AWS Cloud and how does it work?
• Identifying and explaining worldwide AWS Cloud infrastructure
• Describe the value proposition of AWS Cloud.
• Familiarity and ability to describe the architectural concepts of AWS Cloud
• Key AWS platform services and typical use cases (such as computing and analytics)
• AWS platform security and compliance fundamentals, as well as the shared security model
• Billing, account management, and pricing model specifics
• The fundamentals of installing and functioning in the AWS Cloud

AWS Solutions Architect

One year of AWS Cloud experience or comparable education is required.

You will need to know the following to pass this certification exam:

• AWS Cloud network technology, including configuration and administration.
• How AWS-based apps operate and how client interfaces communicate with the AWS platform.
• Designing and implementing AWS-based applications, as well as connecting client interfaces to AWS.
• AWS secure application development.
• Deploying hybrid systems with on-premises data and AWS components.
• Data security and disaster recovery.
• Infrastructure and principles from AWS.

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AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Exam Details

AWS Cloud Practitioner

• Exam Format: Multiple-choice questions
• Exam Time: 90 minutes
• Exam Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
• The price is $100 USD.

You will learn, by the end of this course,

• Understanding of the most fundamental architectural concepts of AWS
• The AWS cloud’s value proposition Important AWS cloud services and applications
• Underlying security and compliance, as well as a security shared responsibility model
• Fundamental cloud deployment and operational concepts

AWS Solutions Architect

• Exam Format: Multiple choice questions and multiple answers
• Exam Time: 130 minutes
• Exam Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
• The price is 150 $.

You will learn, by the end of this course,

• Understanding of the most basic AWS architecture concepts
• The AWS cloud’s value proposition Important AWS cloud services and their applications
• The underlying security and compliance approach, as well as the shared responsibility concept for security
• Fundamental cloud deployment and operation concepts

On this website, we offer hundreds of free AWS Solution Architect exam questions to help you be familiar with the real exam format!

AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Benefits

AWS Cloud Practitioner

• The AWS Cloud and how it works are defined.
• Global understanding of the AWS Cloud infrastructure.
• Explain the benefits of adopting AWS Cloud.
• The ability to define in-depth AWS Cloud architectural ideas
• Usage scenarios for AWS platform services (such as analytics and computing)
• The core compliance and security aspects of the AWS platform, as well as the shared security strategy.
• The service provider’s billing, price structures, and account management.
• AWS Cloud deployment and management operational elements.

AWS Solutions Architect

• Be able to show AWS Cloud competence.
• Employers want to know that you are familiar with AWS networks, cloud application deployment and architecture, and fundamental security measures.
• If you hold this AWS Solutions Architect certification, you should be able to find entry-level work.
• The Associate level certification is required for the Professional certificate. A professional certificate allows you to pursue specialized credentials in a specific IT area.

AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Solutions Architect: Which Certification to Choose?

There are various variables to consider while picking between AWS Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect certifications.

Because it covers basic cloud computing principles and AWS services, the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is appropriate for people with little to no AWS expertise. The AWS Solutions Architect certification, on the other hand, is intended for professionals who have a thorough grasp of AWS architecture and design concepts.

Your professional objectives, degree of expertise, and the time and resources you have available for test preparation are all important aspects to consider. For people pursuing advanced cloud computing employment, the Solutions Architect credential is often seen as more beneficial.

Eventually, the decision between AWS Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect credentials comes down to your own goals and experience level. It is critical.

How to Get AWS Certified?

While there is no standard defined procedures to begin AWS certification, the processes listed below are the most straightforward.

Step 1: Choose a module

First and foremost, you must enroll in an AWS training program.

Choose the module that you wish to take.

Step 2: Go over all of your study materials.

Examine all of the accessible study resources and Exam Guides for the selected AWS module.

Step 3: Go through a number of AWS whitepapers.

Read many AWS whitepapers that include a wealth of important information on various topics. These provide some important information that may provide answers to your questions.

Step 4:  Perform frequent practice tests

Following that, you must practice on a regular basis. A practice test can assist you in becoming stress-free regarding the AWS certification tests.

Step 5: Arrange for the final AWS certification test.

When you are ready, schedule the final AWS certification exam. It usually requires between 80 and 120 hours of practice/studying to be ready for the exam. However, it is dependent on your prior experience and the certification course you have chosen.

AWS Exam Preparation

These training courses and tools can help you prepare for the AWS exam:

• 3-day instructor-led, live or virtual AWS Architecting course
• AWS Whitepapers, Kindle.pdf, and Other Materials faws.amazon.com/whltepapers
• Identify AWS services that can assist you in automating, monitoring, and managing security activities on AWS.
• AWS Well-Architected Website (links to multiple whitepapers)

AWS Exam Content

The examination consists mostly of two sorts of questions:

• Multiple-choice: There is one correct answer and three wrong answers.
• Multiple-response: There are two correct answers out of five alternatives.

FAQs

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