Preparation on How to Start

The internet is flooded with resources, so it takes time to sort through them and find the best study techniques. For me, watching learning videos helped clarify what I was studying. Below are some key directions:

AWS Exam Roadmap

• AWS Certification Roadmap
  Understand the journey and levels of AWS certifications before diving in.

How to Study

• AWS Training and Certification Blog
  This blog provides insights on exam preparation, changes, and updates directly from AWS.

Online Resources

• AWS Free Tier
  Sign up for AWS Free Tier to get hands-on experience with AWS services while preparing for the exam.

Exam Tips

• AWS Exam Guide: Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)
  AWS’s official exam guide for the Solutions Architect Associate exam will help you understand what to expect.

Courses

Free Resources

• AWS Skillbuilder
  This offers a high-level understanding of the AWS certification exams.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate 2020 (PASS THE EXAM!)
  This YouTube video gives an excellent introduction to the Solutions Architect Associate exam, providing an overview and depth of what to expect.
• Everything You Need to Know About the SAA-C03 Exam
  Another valuable resource to understand the ins and outs of the Solutions Architect Associate exam.

Paid Resources

• Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C03 by Stephane Maarek
  This comprehensive course covers all the key AWS resources you’ll need for the exam. I recommend signing up for the AWS Free Tier to practice the lessons in the course.

Practices

Free Practice

• PDF Practice Exam
  AWS offers a free downloadable practice exam.
• Knowledge Hunt
  Knowledge Hunt provides a collection of free practice questions.
• AWS Skillbuilder Practice
  Besides learning, AWS Skillbuilder also offers practice exams to test your knowledge.

Paid Practice

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exams by Jon Bonso
  This exam pack contains high-quality practice tests that simulate real exam conditions.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exams by Neal Davis
  Another excellent set of practice exams to help you gauge your understanding.
• Practice Exams | AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate by Stephane Maarek and Abhishek Singh
  A collection of detailed and well-reviewed practice tests for exam preparation.

Cheatsheets

Free Cheatsheets

• Tutorialsdojo AWS Cheatsheets
  Comprehensive cheatsheets that cover essential AWS services and topics for the exam.
• Digitalcloud AWS Cheatsheets
  Another great set of cheatsheets to help you review key concepts quickly.

Tips

• Take notes, make comparisons, and summarize: AWS services can be quite similar, so I often compare their similarities and differences to fully digest the knowledge. Searching for well-written notes and asking AI tools like ChatGPT is helpful too.
• ESL Time Extension: If you’re a non-native English speaker, make sure to apply for the extra 30 minutes offered for ESL candidates.
• Exam Venue: It’s better to take the exam at an examination center due to strict rules for online proctored exams. At the center, you'll only be allowed to use the provided desktop, reducing the risk of failure.
• Promotions: Follow AWS on LinkedIn as they occasionally offer 50% off discounts for certification exams.
• Pass and Save: If you pass the exam, AWS offers a 50% off coupon for your next certification.

Study Process

Initial Phase: Building Cloud Concepts

I didn’t push myself too hard in the beginning. I watched the online course videos during free moments, like when I was commuting on the MTR or during lunch breaks.

Second Phase: Deepening Understanding

At night, I would dive deeper into the concepts, taking notes, researching topics, and doing hands-on labs to reinforce what I learned.

Final Phase: Practice Exam Papers

I booked the exam a month in advance and spent the last month practicing exam papers. I would review them the next day using any available free time, like while commuting.

Conclusion

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam was quite challenging for me as a cloud rookie. It’s essential to know how to learn, as that will set the foundation for your journey. Digesting new information through comparison and summarization is a great way to ensure deep understanding. Lastly, stay relaxed, and don’t cram—come to the exam well-prepared and in good condition.

By following these structured resources, you can streamline your study process and successfully pass the AWS exam. Best of luck on your certification journey!