As the demand for cloud computing continues to grow, the need for skilled professionals who can manage cloud infrastructure has also increased. AWS Solution Architect Associate certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in the cloud computing industry. If you are considering taking this certification, you need to know everything about preparation and scheduling the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam.
In this article, IT Exams will discuss how to schedule AWS Solution Architect Associate exam, including important exam details, preparation tips, and FAQs.
What Is An AWS Solution Architect Associate Certificate?
AWS Solution Architect Associate certification is designed to validate your skills in designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS. This certification requires you to have a strong understanding of AWS services and architecture, as well as the ability to identify and define technical requirements for an AWS-based application.
Beginning in August 2018, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam will be replaced by the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (Released February 2018) exam. The revised processes and best practices are included in the new test. It’s a somewhat longer version of the prior exam, with 10 more questions and an extra 50 minutes to finish.
Associate credentials may be obtained by passing either the previous AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam or the updated exam published in February 2018.
AWS Solution Architect Associate Prerequisites
To obtain certification, you must pass the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate level test. The following are some examination specifics:
- The exam score ranges from 100 to 1000 points, with 720 being the minimum passing score. Passing grades are established statistically, which means they might vary depending on the difficulty of the exam.
- The AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification test costs $150, and there is a $20 practice exam available. The professional-level examination costs $300.
- The time limit is 130 minutes, and the questions are of two types: multiple-choice and multiple responses.
- The test is available in a variety of languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
You should also review the Exam Guide and take AWS Solution Architect Associate exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and content.
Read more >> Does AWS Require Coding?
AWS Exam Scheduling Options
You usually get two options to register for your AWS Certification exam:
Online Proctoring
You may take your AWS test from the convenience of your own home or workplace using online proctoring. This option is ideal for individuals seeking flexibility and convenience. For all AWS Certification tests, online proctoring is accessible from two test delivery providers: Pearson VUE or PSI (for candidates in mainland China, online proctoring is exclusively available through PSI). Pearson VUE and PSI both provide English online proctoring. Pearson VUE offers online proctoring in Japanese in addition to English, while PSI enables online proctoring in Mandarin.
You will be linked to a real proctor who will oversee your exam session if you use online proctoring. The proctor will guarantee that the test environment is tamper-free and fulfills AWS security standards. If you have any technical problems during the exam, the proctor will assist you in resolving them.
While exam appointments are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it’s best to plan ahead of time so you can pick a time that works for you (in your time zone).
While this is considered the best option for the majority of test-takers, it is not presently accessible for candidates in mainland China, Japan, Slovenia, or South Korea.
Testing Centers
You can also take the exam in person at a testing location. This choice is appropriate for persons who need technical equipment for an exam (for example, a computer that satisfies system and security standards). Of course, because you’ll be taking the exam at a physical testing center, you’ll have to figure in travel time and expenditures. For Pearson VUE and PSI, you may check availability by ZIP Code to find a testing facility near you.
Keep in mind that depending on your region, availability may be limited.
Please keep in mind that testing centers may still be closed owing to local health regulations. Check the availability of testing centers before beginning the booking procedure.
How To Schedule AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam
The majority of examination appointments are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We recommend booking your exam ahead of time so that you may choose a time that works for you. Here’s how to schedule the AWS Solutions Architect exam:
- Visitaws.amazon.com/certification/
- Scroll down and choose “Architect.”
- Select “Register Now.”
- Select “AWS Certification Account.”
- Sign in with your existing Amazon account or sign up for a new one.
- After you’ve signed in, go to “Schedule Examination.”
- Scroll down to AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate and choose “Schedule Exam.”
- Select “Continue.”
- Choose your language and verify your location.
- Choose the month of the exam and then click “Search” to find an exam center.
- Choose the most convenient location for you from the list of exam centers. Once you’ve decided on a day and time for the exam, click the Continue button.
- The examination will then be charged to you. You will be officially registered for the exam after your payment is confirmed.
What Are Covered In AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam?
The exam contains five main sections, which are:
1. Design Resilient Architecture (34%)
- How to Select Reliable and Resilient Storage Using AWS Services Like S3, Glacier, and EBS
- How to create decoupling mechanisms using AWS services such as AWS SNS
- How to Build a Three-Tier Architecture
- How to Design for Availability and Fault Tolerance
2. Define Performant Architectures (24%)
- How to Select High-Performance Storage and Databases Using AWS RDS, Redshift, and DynamoDB
- How to Boost Performance with AWS Elasticache
- How to use AWS Lambda, AWS CloudWatch, and AWS Data Pipeline to create elastic and scalable solutions
3. Specify Secure Applications and Architectures (24%)
- How to Use AWS Inspector, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS IAM to Secure Applications
- How to Use AWS CloudHSM and AWS Macie to Secure Data
- AWS CloudFront, AWS VPC, and Elastic Load Balancer are used to define network architecture.
4. Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (10%)
- How to use AWS EC2, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, AWS Lambda, and AWS Lightsail to create cost-effective computing solutions.
- Create low-cost storage solutions with AWS S3, AWS Glacier, AWS EBS, and AWS Elastic File System.
5. Define Operationally Excellent Architectures (6%)
Understand when to employ specific sorts of actions to simplify processes. You should be prepared to accomplish the following:
- Carry out operations as code
- Documentation should be annotated.
- Make minor, frequent, and reversible modifications.
- Prepare for and deal with failures
AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam Preparation Tips
Study for AWS Solution Architect
- Watch at least two of the following courses from acloudguru, Neal Davis, and Stephane Maarek
- Complete at least two of the acloudguru, qwiklabs, and Whizlabs labs
- Read the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide
- Instead of memorizing the answers from practice examinations, attempt to comprehend why the correct answer is correct and the other ones are incorrect.
- Try to get close to 80% on Neal’s Practice exams and 90% on Tutorial Dojo exams.
- If you see any areas where you appear to be lacking throughout the practice examinations, study more about those services in the AWS documentation.
Note: Neal’s examinations are more difficult than Tutorial Dojo’s, but Tutorial Dojo’s explanations are superior to Neal’s. That is why it is critical to do both.
Exam Day Tips
On the day of the exam, make sure you arrive at the testing center on time. Bring a valid ID and a copy of your exam confirmation email. Here are some tips that can help you during the exam:
- Mark the questions that you are unclear about for further study. Make sure you don’t ask more than 10 questions for review, as remaining inside this limit gave you confidence that you’d pass.
- Unless you are certain that your prior response was erroneous, you should seldom modify your answers within the review mode.
- As there is no negative grading, be sure you do not leave any questions unanswered.
- There is a common misconception that 50%-60% of test questions are connected to networking/VPC. However, the test appears to cover the majority of the services, and in some situations, the question/answer may pertain to more than one service.
- If English is your second language, you can request ESL+30 minutes before scheduling the exam by going to certmetrics > Request Exam Accommodations and waiting for clearance. It might take a few days.
Post-Exam Tips
After passing your AWS Solution Architect Associate certification, there are various things you may do to celebrate your accomplishment and continue your learning path.
Share Your Achievements
Share your accomplishments with others, including family, friends, and coworkers. Inform them of your success and how it will help your career. You may also use social media networks like LinkedIn to promote your qualification and attract potential employers.
Examine Your Exam Results
Following the exam, you will be given an exam score summary that contains your overall score as well as your performance per domain. Examine your exam results to determine your strengths and shortcomings, which you may then use to influence your future study and career path.
Make a plan for your next steps.
The AWS Solution Architect Associate certification is merely the starting point for your education. Plan your next steps, such as which AWS certifications to seek and which skills and knowledge areas to concentrate on. Consider your job objectives and select certifications and study routes that will help you achieve them. You can figure out what you need to figure out on the AWS Solution Architect certification path.
Continue Your Education
AWS services and technologies are continually growing, and keeping up with the newest innovations is critical. Continue your education by enrolling in more AWS training classes, attending conferences and webinars, reading whitepapers and documentation, and experimenting with AWS services and tools.
Keep Your Certification
You must renew your AWS Solution Architect Associate certification every two years by passing a recertification test or earning continuing education credits. Maintain your certification and continue your professional growth by being aware of recertification criteria and planning ahead of time.
FAQs
How much does the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam cost?
The exam fee is $150 USD.
How long is the AWS Solution Architect Associate certification valid?
The certification is valid for three years.
How many times can I retake the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you need to pass it, but you will have to pay the full exam fee each time.
Can I take the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam online?
Yes, you can take the exam online from the comfort of your home or office.
Conclusion
Careful planning and preparation are required to prepare and schedule AWS Solution Architect Associate exam. Understanding the exam details, format, and retake policy is crucial to passing the exam. By following the tips and guidelines provided in this article, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and obtaining the highly sought-after AWS Solution Architect Associate certification.
[Sassy_Social_Share]
