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Piyush Bagani
Piyush Bagani

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How to Ace the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification Exam

Introduction:

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification exam is a highly valued certification for IT professionals who work with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This certification validates your skills in designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.In this blog post we will discuss how you can ace AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification Exam.

About the exam

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification exam is a multiple-choice exam that consists of 65 questions. You will have 130 minutes to complete the exam, and the passing score is 720 out of 1000. The exam covers a wide range of topics, including AWS core services, security, networking, and architecture best practices.
The exam covers various topics related to AWS services, including:

  1. AWS Architecture and Infrastructure
  2. AWS Compute Services (e.g., EC2, Elastic Beanstalk, Lambda)
  3. AWS Storage Services (e.g., S3, EBS, EFS)
  4. AWS Networking and Content Delivery (e.g., VPC, CloudFront, Route 53)
  5. AWS Database Services (e.g., RDS, DynamoDB, Redshift)
  6. AWS Management and Monitoring Tools (e.g., CloudWatch, CloudFormation, AWS Trusted Advisor)

The AWS SAA certification is designed for individuals who are responsible for designing and deploying systems on AWS, such as Solutions Architects, DevOps Engineers, and Cloud Engineers. It is recommended that candidates have at least one year of experience designing and deploying scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS before taking the exam.

Create a Study Plan

Creating a study plan is essential to ensure that you cover all the exam topics. Break down the exam topics into smaller sections and allocate specific days or weeks to cover each section. Allocate more time to the topics that you find challenging. Use online resources, such as AWS documentation, whitepapers, and FAQs, to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the exam topics. The best way to kick start your AWS certification preparation is to join a quality course.
Here is the link of course I followed on Udemy. This is considered to be only course you need to ace AWS SAA. The most crucial benefit of an AWS certification or any other certification is the knowledge it gives you. I have personally learned a lot while preparing for certification, and that’s also my preferred way to discover new technology in depth.

You can also Use AWS Training and Certification Resources.AWS offers various training and certification resources that you can use to prepare for the exam. AWS training courses, webinars, and documentation can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to ace the exam. AWS official practice exams and other third-party practice exams are also available to assess your readiness for the exam.

Practice Practice Practice!

Regularly reviewing and revising the exam topics can help you retain the information and identify any gaps in your knowledge. Make sure to do hands on AWS as much as possible. Remember passing the exam will give you recognition, but how much knowledge you retain, how efficiently you can design solution will help you going forward.

Taking the Exam

Once you feel confident and well-prepared, you can schedule your exam date.If you are appearing for this exam at exam centre, Arrive early at the exam center and bring a valid ID. Take your time when answering the questions and read the questions carefully. Don't rush and make sure that you have answered all the questions before submitting your exam.

If you are giving remotely make sure to you sit in quiet and neat place, run the system test before appearing for the exam.
You will be able to launch your exam up to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time, and we recommend you take advantage of the full 30 minutes. You’ll show the proctor your ID and they will review your testing environment. Having plenty of time to complete this step before you begin the timed exam will help you start strong and confidently.

Exam Tips For non-native English speakers:

You can request an extra 30 minutes if you are non-native English speakers.
Step 1: Visit the AWS Certification Account Portal
To request an extra 30 minutes, log in to your AWS Certification account at https://www.aws.training/Certification. If you don't have an account yet, create one.

Step 2: Select Your Exam
Select the exam that you want to take, and click on the "Schedule Exam" button. You will be redirected to the Pearson VUE website.

Step 3: Choose Your Exam Language
Choose your preferred exam language. If English is not your first language, select your native language.

Step 4: Choose Accommodation
In the next step, you will be prompted to choose accommodation options. Select the "English as a second language" option and click on "Continue."

Step 5: Provide Your Details
Provide your personal information, including your name, address, and contact details. Ensure that your information is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 6: Request Accommodations
In the Accommodations Request section, select the "Non-native English speaker" option and click on "Continue." This will prompt a message stating that you may be eligible for extra time due to English not being your primary language.

Step 7: Provide Documentation
In the next step, you will be prompted to upload documentation to support your request. This may include a language proficiency test or a letter from your employer indicating that you are a non-native English speaker. Ensure that your documentation meets the requirements specified by AWS.

Step 8: Submit Your Request
Once you have provided all the necessary information, review your request, and click on "Submit." Your request will be reviewed, and you will receive a response within five business days.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can request accommodations and ensure that you have adequate time to complete the exam. Ensure that you provide accurate and up-to-date information and meet the documentation requirements specified by AWS.

Conclusion:

Preparing for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification exam can be challenging, but with a well-structured study plan, dedication, and focus, you can ace the exam in just one month. Use the steps outlined in this blog post to guide your preparation and increase your chances of success.Good luck with your certification exam!

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