How do you get AWS Certified? What are the benefits of the certification?

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What is the AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a secure cloud services platform, offering compute power, database storage, content delivery and other functionality to help businesses scale and grow. Explore how millions of customers are currently leveraging AWS cloud products and solutions to build sophisticated applications with increased flexibility, scalability and reliability.

Source: What is AWS? - Amazon Web Services

So basically it’s about cloud computing. Nowadays many companies migrate the infrastructure to the cloud. Cloud technologies weren’t very promising at first but by the time It became one of the most growing fields on the IT and it’s predicted to keep growing.

AWS certifications:

Amazon Web Services offers various types of certification:

Levels:

  1. Foundational:
    Validates overall understanding of the AWS Cloud. Prerequisite to achieving Specialty certification or an optional start towards Associate certification.
  2. Associate:
    Technical role-based certifications.
  3. Professional:
    Highest level technical role-based certification

There are also specialty certifications:

  • Security
  • Big Data
  • Advanced Networking

Image source: AWS Certification - AWS Cloud Computing Certification Program

Where to start?

If you are serious about it, I recommend skipping the foundational and go directly to the Associate certification.

AWS Solution architect Associate is your stepping stone to this field. It’s considered the most popular AWS cert. It will give you a good understanding of the platform.

Should I go directly to the professional or a specialty certification?

No, you shouldn’t and you can’t. An associate degree is a prerequisite for the professional and specialty certifications.
Another good reason is that you need an extensive experience with AWS and so much studying to pass a professional certification exam.

Image source: 3D2B - Step by Step to B2B Appointment Setting Success

How to prepare for and pass the AWS solution architecture exam?

Study materials:

  • Video training
    “A professional and comprehensive video training”. Video training is the fastest way to learn. It’s also more fun than reading a book.
  • Study guide
    You can buy either the soft or hard copy of the official certification guide. A study guide is so important for two main reasons. 1st: video training won’t cover ALL the information you need for the exam. 2nd: It’s recommended to use more than 1 source “preferably two different kinds of source, such as book and video”
  • Computer + Internet connection
    There is no specific type of devices you need as all you need is to log in to Amazon servers. So almost any device you have will do it.
  • Practice tests “No Brain Dumps”
    Studying and practicing don’t guarantee to pass the exam. You need practice test to learn how to manage your time. Some questions are long and tricky. I think most people take the exam without some kind of practice tests fails their first attempt.

→ How did you prepare for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Level certification?

How to effectively study and pass the exam from the first attempt?

  1. Video training. (~30 mins)
  2. Read the topics you learned in the study guide book. (~20 mins)
  3. Practice what you just studied. (depends on the topic)
  4. Quizzes. (~15 mins)
  5. Review what you have learned then teach it to someone. You can teach your pet or an imaginary friend (make sure no one is around :D). (~15 mins)
Other tips:
  • Each studying set should be between 20~50 minutes.
  • Always study with a paper and a pen.
  • Take notes or highlight (Trust me these highlighting will save you a ton of time later).
  • Improve your long-term memory by spacing out the material and revisiting it regularly “1 hour/day for 7 days is way better than 7 hours in one day”.

Source: What is the best source (books & websites) to learn quickly?

Where can you buy textbooks and course materials?

Well, there are a number of places you can buy study materials. You can get each separately or buy them as a package which would save you some money. Just make sure you use professional materials, not one of these cheap or free materials. I got shocked so many times when reading/watching wrong information in non-professional courses. Not just mistakes but most of the time to much extra information or not enough information. Another reason is that professional materials will make it easier for you to study.

For the best deals on study materials bundles, check AWS - AlphaPrep