Searching for Cloud technology certification? you must have heard about Amazon Web Services and the most popular certification under the AWS cloud is AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03). This is one of the entry-level certifications after AWS Foundation and also one of the most demanding certifications in the IT industry. We encourage you to go through the below content before you plan or appear for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate examination.
Who should take the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate Exam?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam is intended for professionals who work in a solutions architect role and possess one or more years of hands-on experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS. Moreover, it is specifically tailored for individuals with this background.
Course Structure
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam covers the following topics –
- Design Secure Architectures 30%
- Design Resilient Architectures 26%
- Design High-Performing Architectures 24%
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures 20%
Exam Information:
| Name AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate | Code SAA-C03 |
| Duration 130 Minutes | Retake you can reappear in the exam only after 14 days. |
| Type Architect Associate | Number of Questions 60-70 Questions |
| Passing Score 70-75% | Fee $150 USD |
| Format multiple-choice and Multi-Response Questions | Validity 3 years |
| Retake you can reappear in exam only after 14 days. | Prerequisite None |
| Provider: AWS | Is Proctored: Yes |
| Training: optional | Exam Center: Pearson VUE or From Home |
AWS Solutions Architect Associate FAQs:
Can I take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam online at my home?
Yes, an announcement in March 2020 stated that you have the option to take the new SAA-C03 exam, along with other AWS certification exams, from the comfort of your home. Please note that this option is currently exclusively supported by Pearson VUE.
How difficult is AWS to learn?
Currently, more than sixty thousand people already hold AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. You are not different from these 50 thousand people, it may take you 1 month 2 months 3 months, or 6 months to prepare but it’s not impossible to pass this exam. AWS is already a choice of most IT organizations so you can easily find lots of support, books, and study guides online.
Of course, learning AWS can be easy for those who already understand the concepts of Cloud Computing and already worked in the IT industry for 1 or more years.
What happens if I fail AWS certification?
No worry, Amazon has a policy to reappear in the exam only condition you need to wait for 14 days to take the exam again. Yes, you have to pay the exam fee again.
Is there any prerequisite for AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
There are no prerequisites for taking the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam.
Does it require any programming skills for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
For the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam you don’t need any programming knowledge. This exam is designed to cater to both technical and non-technical individuals.
How long does it take to prepare for AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
It is recommended to possess at least 1 year of hands-on experience in designing scalable systems for AWS and a good understanding of AWS Cloud. And it takes normally 40-45 days to pass this exam.
What is the passing score for AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate?
You need to score 72-75% to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate.
I am a fresher, should I go for AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification?
No, you should start from AWS Cloud Practitioner and then you can go to further levels.
What does an AWS Solutions Architect Associate do?
1. The AWS Solutions Architect Associate possesses a strong understanding of AWS services used for designing AWS cloud instances for enterprises.
2. The Solutions Architect is responsible for how the application will look its modules and the interaction with each other.
3. They design effective solutions for cloud architecture and build strategies to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
What is the role of AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate?
An AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is accountable for the design of one or more applications or services within an organization. They are usually part of a solution development team and also work with an enterprise architect for strategic direction.
How do I prepare for AWS Solutions Architect Exam?
Below are some tips followed by certified associates.
1. Download AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) Exam Guide and read it carefully.
2. Take free training and webinars available at AWS official site or you can buy paid training as well.
3. Numerous books are available online or offline; therefore, you can purchase one and start learning.
4. Register for AWS free tier account and practice.
5. You can easily find online training available on the internet. Additionally, there are many resources at your disposal.
6. Go through the exam pattern, and syllabus and create your notes topic-wise.
7. Think of a small project and use your AWS free tier account to implement it try to cover most of the services given in the syllabus.
8. Once you are ready for the exam take the free assessment available at the AWS site. You can take paid practice exams also from AWS.
8. Visit the AWS site on the day you go for the exam after some intervals Amazon keeps updating its exam and it could be the same day as your exam.
9. Do not follow the article or video which promises you to pass your exam in 1 day or 1 week. You are taking this exam to test your skills.
10. Don’t buy any question set online promising real exam questions.
Is an AWS certification worth doing?
Yes, You will never regret doing this certification, however, doing this certification doesn’t guarantee you to get a job or salary rise in your organization but this could definitely help you achieve your goals. Many organizations are currently moving their infrastructure to the cloud and they are currently looking for AWS Architects having this certification will be an advantage if you are aspiring for those jobs.
How long AWS Certifications are valid?
AWS Certifications are valid for 3 years and after that, you need to update your certification.
How much is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam fee?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam will cost you $150 USD including the additional taxes.
Is it required or mandatory to know Linux for AWS?
No, but it can be an advantage if you know the basics of Linux.
What’s the difference between SAA-C02 vs SAA-C03 exam?
On August 29, 2022, AWS retired the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C02) and replaced it with SAA-C03.
How many questions will there be on the exam?
AWS certification contains 60-70 questions that need to be completed in 130 minutes.
Can I reschedule or cancel my AWS exam?
Yes, you can re-schedule your exam 24hrs before your scheduled appointment without an additional fee. To reschedule or cancel your exam, go to your AWS Certification Account and click either the “Manage PSI Exams” or “Manage Pearson VUE exams” button.
What is the duration of the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
You will get 130 minutes to complete the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam.
How can I schedule my SAA-C03 exam?
You can go to the official AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification page and then click the “Schedule Exam” button to book your SAA-C03 exam. Alternatively, you can directly log in to your AWS Certification account to schedule the exam.
How can a candidate register to take an AWS Certification exam?
To register for an exam, the candidate needs to sign in to aws.training and click “Certification” in the top navigation. Next, click “AWS Certification Account” followed by “Schedule New Exam.”
How can we purchase the exam voucher?
You can directly buy an exam voucher from AWS. The cost of the exam voucher is $150.
What is the format of the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam requires candidates to complete 40-60 multiple-choice questions within a time span of 130 minutes.
Where can we attend the AWS Certification exam?
The good thing is you can do it from your home, or you can schedule it at your nearest Prometric center.
What are the options to reschedule the exam if someone is not able to make it to the scheduled appointment?
You can reschedule your appointment 2 times without paying any additional cost. But in case you miss your appointment it will be canceled you have to schedule your exam again paying the full fee.
Can we get a list of AWS Certified individuals?
No, The AWS Privacy Policy does not share personally identifiable information or exam results (pass/fail).
How can we verify an individual’s certification status?
AWS Certification verification can be done via Credly’s Acclaim platform. You can ask the earner for an AWS Certification digital badge link.
When will I get the AWS exam results?
You will get a Pass or Fail notification on the testing screen upon completing the AWS exam and your detailed exam result will be available within 5 business days of completing your exam.
