Fun & effective AWS Solutions Architect Associate practice test tool to pass with flying colors

What is AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam? [2024 Updated] 

What is AWS Solution Architect Associate exam?

Before answering this question, let's find out the key thing about Amazon.

Amazon, the most valuable publicly listed company in the world, offers a wide variety of services, including cloud computing and online shopping. Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing solution provided by the firm, is used by the vast majority of businesses and organizations located all over the world. AWS has definitely developed into a one-stop shop for businesses that are looking for ways to conduct their operations more effectively. This includes everything from the distribution of content to the transfer of database information.

As more companies and organizations switch to using AWS to handle all aspects of their operations, there will be an increased need for cloud computing specialists. Because of this, individuals who want to further their careers in information technology and cloud computing are beginning to earn AWS credentials.

The AWS Solutions Architect certification is, by a wide margin, the AWS credential that attracts the greatest attention and interest from candidates. As is typical for vocations with high levels of demand, the typical annual salary for certified AWS Solutions Architects may approach $127,000. That should act as a potent incentive for anybody who is thinking about pursuing a career in this industry. In this article, we will discuss everything about the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam.

General Information 

Amazon recommends that the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02) credential is designed for individuals who hold the role of solution architect (Solution Architect) and have at least 1 year of hands-on experience in designing solutions. Design scalable, cost-effective, highly tolerant, and available distributed systems on AWS. And of course, we don't even need a year to pass this certificate!

Basically, the SAA-C02 certificate evaluates candidates according to the following criteria:

• Effectively demonstrate knowledge of how to design and deploy secure and powerful applications based on AWS technologies
• Define a solution based on the architectural design principles required by the client
• Provide implementation guidance based on best practices to the organization throughout the project lifecycle

Recommended knowledge and experience:

• Hands-on experience with AWS compute, networking, storage, and database services
• Hands-on experience with AWS deployment and management services
• Ability to identify and define technical requirements for AWS-based applications
• Ability to identify which AWS services meet specified specifications
• Knowledge of recommended best practices for building secure and reliable applications on the AWS platform
• Understanding the architectural fundamentals of building on the AWS Cloud
• Understanding AWS Global Infrastructure
• Understanding of AWS-related networking technologies
• An understanding of the security features and tools AWS offers and how they relate to traditional services

Exam Format

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam might feature anywhere from 40 to 60 questions, and candidates have a total of 130 minutes to finish it. You are responsible for practicing good time management. Due to the fact that there are from 40 to 60 questions in total, it is strongly recommended that you allow no more than one minute and thirty seconds to answer each question. If you finish the test in an average of 130 minutes, you will be given an additional 30 minutes to examine and verify the accuracy of your answers.

Case studies, short answer questions, multiple-choice questions, and mark reviews are only some of the many kinds of questions that are on the examination. Since there are various different sorts of questions, you may choose to begin with the case study questions. They are the ones that take the most time because of this. After that comes a series of questions with multiple choice answers, followed by brief responses. 

It is important to keep in mind that in order to pass the exam, you will need a score of 720 or above. You will be responsible for an additional fee of $150 USD for the exam. The examination may be taken in a variety of languages, including but not limited to English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Exam Results

There is no room for error on the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam; candidates must either pass or fail. The test is graded based on a minimum standard that was set by AWS experts that follow the best practices and rules that are customary in the certification industry.

Your performance on the test will be reflected as a scaled score ranging from 100 to 1,000 points. The minimal score required to pass is 720. Your score reflects not only how well you did on the test as a whole but also indicates whether or not you passed it. Scaled scoring models are a useful tool for equating marks across numerous test forms, each of which may have a slightly variable degree of difficulty.

There is a possibility that the report of your scores will include a table with categories of how well you performed in each part. This information serves as general feedback on how well you performed on the test. Because this test employs a compensatory scoring approach, you do not necessarily need to get a passing score in each component in order to pass the overall test. You simply need a passing grade on the overall test.

Because different parts of the test are given different weightings, some parts of the test have a greater number of questions than others do. The table presents information that is more generic in nature and outlines both your strengths and limitations. 

In short:

• Price: 150 USD. Pay online before going to the test site or register and pay directly at the test site. Note that if you have passed the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) exam before, you will receive a 50% discount Voucher for this exam.
• Exam format: 65 multiple-choice questions. Choose 1 correct answer or more correct answers.
• Passing scale: 720/1000. You will know whether to pass or fail immediately after submitting the test.
• Time: 130 minutes. However, when taking the test in English. Non-native English speakers are allowed to request an additional 30 minutes. Registration is very simple. So the total is 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes).
• Organization method: Online or Offline. You will choose the location and time of the exam as you like before paying.
• How to Apply: You can register for the exam and pay online at the AWS site: https://www.aws.training/Certification.

Who Should Take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Exam?

Anyone with one or more years of hands-on experience creating scalable, cost-effective, fault-resistant, and distributed systems on AWS is eligible to take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. Before you go in for the test, it is strongly recommended that you have:

• One year of direct experience working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology, including the use of AWS computing, networking, storage, and database services, as well as AWS management and deployment services
• Experience in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as implementing security controls and compliance requirements
• Working knowledge of both the Amazon Web Services Management Console and the Amazon Web Services Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) (CLI)
• A thorough understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework, AWS networking, AWS security services, and worldwide infrastructure is required.
• The capacity to identify whether Amazon Web Services (AWS) services satisfy a given specification and to establish the requirements for an Amazon Web Services-based application

What are the requirements for you to get this certification? To get this certification, you will need to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02) exam. The test consists of two different sorts of questions: multiple choice questions with only one right option, and multiple-choice questions with only one correct option. In the instructions for the test, you will find additional information such as a summary of the topics covered and the minimum score required to pass.

Our AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Tests

Free Practice Questions: 800+ free AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate practice questions with detailed explanations are available for all of the required skills. All you need to pass your recruitment test is available here.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Tests Based On Real Tests: Same number of questions, same time limits, same structure. The exam simulators let you familiarize yourself with the test format and get totally ready for the real one.

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AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Test Bank:  3 features: Weak/ Medium/ Strong questions help you clearly determine which area you should pay more attention to.

AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam Content Outline

The scope of the exam's curriculum is quite broad, as was just said. There are a total of four different fields of knowledge. They are all mammoth in size and stuffed to the gills with information on the AWS platform that is intricate, specialized, and obscure. The candidate has to put in a lot of work and study diligently in order to be completely prepared for the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam.

The curriculum for the examination is broken up into many components, some of which test the candidate's academic knowledge, while other portions evaluate the candidate's practical abilities. Because of this, the candidate should not only be able to recollect and grasp all of the theoretical notions of AWS but also possess all of the practical talents that are required by the AWS platform.

Domain 1: Design Resilient Architectures - 30%

• Firstly, Design a multi-tier architecture solution
• Secondly, highly available and/or fault-tolerant architectures
• Design decoupling mechanisms using AWS services
• Choose appropriate resilient storage

Domain 2: Design High-Performing Architectures - 28%

• Identify elastic and scalable compute solutions for a workload
• Select high-performing and scalable storage solutions for a workload
• Select high-performing networking solutions for a workload
• Choose high-performing database solutions for a workload

Domain 3: Design Secure Applications and Architectures - 24%

• secure access to AWS resources
• Design secure application tiers
• Select appropriate data security options

Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures - 18%

• Identify cost-effective storage solutions
• Identify cost-effective compute and database services
• Design cost-optimized network architectures

In order to acquire the theoretical knowledge that will be tested, the applicant will be required to commit themselves to a rigorous study schedule in which they will devote themselves completely, work diligently, and work with determination to commit enormous volumes of material to memory. Only then will they be eligible to take the exam. However, this is not a new concept, and the vast majority of candidates will be familiar with this method, especially if they have completed the AWS Solution Architect Associate course in the past.

Nevertheless, acquiring the practical knowledge that is necessary for the test is not exactly an easy task. In order to utilize any of the hundreds of various services that are offered on the AWS platform, one must first sign up for a free account and practice utilizing each of the services accessible on the platform.

AWS Solution Architect Associate Requirements 

The Solutions Architect Associate certification exam doesn't need any prior testing or credentials to be passed. You are more than welcome to go forward into the Solutions Architect Associate certification without first earning the Cloud Practitioner certification.

Candidates should have a minimum of one year of practical AWS experience, according to AWS. On-demand courses and personal AWS service testing might, however, make up for a lack of expertise. Passing requires doing hands-on labs inside AWS.

Given that Linux is the most widely used operating system inside AWS and that AWS even has its own Linux distribution, having a solid foundation in Linux would be quite advantageous.

It will help to have a basic understanding of networking, specifically how subnets operate. Given that configuring VPC requires an understanding of routes, subnets, and rules, a solid foundation in fundamental networking is essential. Consider AWS as an abstracted data center; while you don't have to worry about the underlying hardware, resources still need to communicate with one another. In AWS, networking facilitates this.

The same principles employed in on-premises systems (VMWare, Citrix, Xen) will also apply on AWS, therefore understanding virtualization is crucial. The foundation of AWS is virtualization; by comprehending how virtual machines or instances are utilized, customers can sustain their EC2-based environment.

SAA-C01 vs. Exam SAA-C02 Differences

When comparing SAA-C01 with SAA-C02, it is important to give serious consideration to the differences between the two. There would be no adjustments made to the format of the examination, and the number of questions would most likely remain the same.

Content Outline

There is a large amount of variety in the subject areas that are evaluated or in the content summary. Two good examples of this are the SAA-C01 examination, which consists of five domains, and the SAA-C02 examination, which consists of four domains. The revised certification exam for AWS Solutions Architect Associate, which was released in March 2020, does not include the concept of having an operationally excellent design.

As a direct result of this, the weighting of the several other domains on the SAA-C02 certification exam will be significantly altered, as will be evident to you. For instance, the market for the construction of cost-optimized systems had a large rise, going from ten percent to eighteen percent.

Exam Format

Candidates may be curious at this point to find out how the examination formats for the AWS SAA-C01 and SAA-C02 certifications compare with one another. You were right to expect that there wouldn't be much of a difference, and you were right. Both the question format and the overall strategy for the SAA-C02 exam are pretty comparable to those of the SAA-C01 examination. The vast majority of the questions will include a scenario in the form of one or two lines that are connected to a certain subject.

As a direct consequence of this, candidates won't have any trouble grasping the structure and format of the brand-new SAA-C02 examination. Candidates are advised to pay careful attention to the answer formats while comparing the SAA-C01 and SAA-C02 examinations in order to spot any potential differences. The SAA-C02 exam, much like the SAA-C01 examination, consists of two different response types.

Make the Appropriate Choice

Applicants who find themselves in this predicament should, as a result, do all in their power to prepare for the SAA-C02 examination. Why? When selecting between the AWS SAA-C01 and SAA-C02 exams, the most important factor to take into account is whether or not the certification you get will show an understanding of the most recent AWS technology. 

The recently upgraded certification, which was enhanced and given the name SAA-C02, takes into consideration both current and upcoming changes to the AWS environment. As a consequence of this, those who are interested in long-term career opportunities on AWS should choose AWS SAA-C02.

Is the Associate AWS Solutions Architect Exam Hard?

It should come as no surprise that the exam for AWS Solutions Architect Associate is difficult. It is a challenge. It is necessary to make a commitment to devote one's whole life to the in-depth study of value concepts. In order for the students to pass the exam, they will need to dedicate themselves to studying for a full two months. each time Amazon Web Services launches one hundred new services. 

Each service has its own idiom, graphical user interface (GUI), and command-line interface (CLI). Therefore, those who are considering taking the exam to get certified in Amazon Web Services have to first brush up on their knowledge of the core concepts involved.

If the student does not have a specific, in-depth, and conceptual grasp of VPCs, AZs, regions, and security groups, then it is a waste of time and money for the student to try the exam at a young age and level. All of the material must be properly mastered by the learner before they can even attempt to get their hands on the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification.

In contrast to what was said before, a candidate who is unable to demonstrate a basic comprehension of the exam is likely to do very poorly on it. In addition to having the necessary foundational and entry-level knowledge, the applicant who wants to skip the Foundational certification and go straight to the Associate level has to have some hands-on experience using the AWS interface and read several white papers provided by AWS. In addition, the Associate exam covers a broad spectrum of subject matter.

The goals of the investigation have not shrunk but rather expanded. As a direct consequence of this, the applicant is required to read from a broad range of sources. The stress caused by job and examinations could, but probably wouldn't be reduced as a result of this. The applicant has to put in a lot of effort if they want any chance of succeeding and passing the exam with flying colors. There is no longer any doubt as to whether or not the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam is challenging.

 AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam Passing Tips

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate is not a simple test, let's be honest about that. It is not a test that you can easily pass by purchasing a stack of practice questions and repeatedly taking them. The test focuses heavily on scenarios. Anyone interested in learning how to get an AWS certification should take notice of the following: Only those with real-world expertise and comprehension of AWS's services may pass the questions written by the company.

Earn the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification

Although this post claims to provide methods on how to get your Solutions Architect - Associate degree, I highly advise taking this exam first if you have no previous engineering experience or understanding of Amazon Web Services. If you study every day for two weeks, you can pass this test in only one day since it is just a 1,000-foot overview.

Since the certification examinations include AWS services you may not have actually utilized, it may still be a good idea to take them even if you have previous familiarity with AWS. You will need the following to pass this test in under two weeks:

• Get certified as a cloud practitioner by taking the A Cloud Guru (ACG) course. Because you will need to utilize ACG extensively for the AWS Solutions Architect test, you should get a complete membership rather than simply the solo Udemy version. Additionally, ACG offers a part of practical AWS labs that are very beneficial for passing the test.
• Take these sample tests. Note that only the trickiest questions from the real exam are included in these practice tests. You should do well on the real test if you are having trouble on the practice tests but are still very near to passing. These are significantly harder than the real exam.

Finish the AWS Certified Solutions Architect course offered by ACG

Even while this course by itself wouldn't be sufficient for a total beginner to pass, it is nevertheless fantastic and will serve as the basis for your test preparation. With a few holes here and there, it covers everything on the exam in one way or another.

Tips for the course:  

• Download the lectures using the A Cloud Guru app to listen to them when offline. Play lectures and summaries repeatedly when driving or walking your dog, for example. This kind of everyday immersion was a big part of my preparation method.
• Avoid skipping the practical labs. I believe that utilizing AWS is the most effective approach to understanding it. This will greatly aid in assimilating the lesson material.

Examine The Architected Framework For AWS

For the preparation of cloud-based architectures, this will be the practice. It is built on general design principles and best practices and was created by AWS specialists. It serves as a cornerstone for a well-architected framework. Despite the fact that it is a challenging 80-page read, you must read it. However, via these procedures, you will learn about a lot of services that weren't discussed in earlier lessons.

You need to remember such services so that you can read about them later. Reading these procedures will increase your level of preparedness to 68 percent, but it's crucial to read all of them. They provide you with information about what AWS is seeking. In addition to assisting you with passing the test, this material will also aid you in AWS projects.

Make Flashcards 

This is the most important step for you to ace the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam. You have 60% knowledge and preparation for the AWS test based on the previous two phases. Additionally, if you give your study efforts your all, you'll be able to pass the test with a score of 72%. You will need to create flashcards for the AWS services area for this.

You will have all the information you need to cover the majority of the course topic after studying these 20 flashcards. It is preferable to put the keywords that go with each of these flashcards on the back since they will improve your memory of all the information. For instance, you may write persistent, object, multi-AZ, etc. for the S3 flashcard. Consider selecting the top three terms for each.

Your brain will be trained to link these words to the information on the flashcards as a result of these keywords. Making these flashcards and putting the keywords on them should be enjoyable for you since they will be very helpful to you in passing the test. With the help of these flashcards, you may prepare for your test at a 65 percent level.

Dive Deeper into Particular AWS Services

As was already said, most students need more than just the lectures from the ACG course to pass. You will need to have a firm grasp of a few services that will appear often on the test if you want to pass. Simply using them in practical laboratories is the greatest approach to understanding what you need.

Read the AWS Storage Services Overview Whitepaper

Many scenario-based questions on the best kind of storage to employ will be asked of you. You should be aware of the distinctions between them and when to utilize each (e.g., EFS vs. EBS, S3, DynamoDB vs. RDS)

Learn AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam Testing Tips 

• For each query, use the elimination method

There are usually one or two answers to questions that are unquestionably incorrect. Your chances of making the appropriate choice will increase if you can get rid of them straight away. Even though it may seem apparent, it is crucial to remember this for the AWS SA test since they will often attempt to fool you. Search for and mentally cross out any apparent techniques.

• Read questions twice

The majority of the questions are intentionally difficult. Don't simply look, then respond right away. If you move too quickly, you risk making the incorrect decision since even a little language variation may easily affect what the correct response is.

• Make use of the "Mark for Review" option

You may mark answers for later study on the actual test and then return to them at the conclusion to double-check them. When a question is challenging, choose the best response and flag it for further study according to the amount of time you have remaining. Employ this function.

• Utilize questions to address additional test questions

One of the key justifications for using "Mark for Review" is this. Frequently, the answer to one question might also be the solution to another. I caught this a couple of times on my test and was able to go back and change a prior response as a result. For this reason, you should "mark for review" any information you are doubtful about.

• Join the Associate Groups for AWS Solution Architects

Joining practitioner groups is an option if you want to study for the AWS test. You will get the opportunity to discuss specific subjects and ideas with fellows and AWS professionals. Any topic you discuss will reveal more and more facets of the topic. All of your questions will be answered, and you'll also gain knowledge from the expertise of subject-matter specialists. On Facebook and LinkedIn, you may discover a large number of these groups and boot camps.

You will get practical experience working with folks who are currently employed in the AWS infrastructure via these groups. There will be a large number of students and specialists in one location, making it simpler to converse and comprehend the subjects you are unsure about. People are eager to assist newcomers and dispel their perplexity.

• Take the practice exams to see if you scored 72% or not

You have one more chance to schedule your actual exam by taking the practice test, which covers all the material required for the AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam. This method enables you to identify the services that are bothering you and improve their preparation.

You may also get 50% on this last test, but that would give you a cloud of information to reach 100%, which would need a score of 72% on the actual exam. You will be able to clearly assess where you stand and how much preparation is required with the help of these practice exams.

FAQs About AWS Solution Architect Associate Exam

How much time is required for AWS Solutions Architect Associate preparation?

The amount of time depends on one's level of expertise. Two to three weeks should be sufficient for test prep if one has previous AWS expertise. In the event that the student is fully uninitiated with AWS, 4 to 6 weeks is reasonable and prudent. AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification is the ideal certification to get, as those who are prepared to advance in the field of technology are well aware. There are some genuine benefits to the qualification.

Is an AWS Solution Architect Associate Certification enough for employment?

No, obtaining a basic AWS certification is insufficient to get the ideal position. In order to get the best job for themselves, the applicant who has passed the test must also have relevant experience in the same industry.

Every coin always has two sides. The case and the item in this instance are almost identical. These days, certificates make up practically all of the educational process. Professionals with degrees and honors from reputable colleges and educational institutions are certified in a variety of specialties.

The certificates provide the employee an edge over other candidates and let the employer and business know that the individual has an advanced understanding of contemporary technologies.

However, many businesses see degrees as the primary educational accomplishment that best represents the quality and potential of a career. We may thus conclude that there are several changing points of view on this, even if in today's cutthroat job market a basic AWS certification is a waste of time and potential.

Is it worth taking the  AWS Solution Architect Associate exam?

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification for any expert who is employed by a company that makes use of AWS services is unquestionably worthwhile. With this accreditation, you may join the company as a lower-level engineer or as an entry-level architect.

A career as an architect is not guaranteed by this credential, but it does provide you the opportunity to study and accumulate the necessary experience to become one. Once you have the certificate, it will be quite beneficial for you to comprehend how to build scalable, secure, and dependable apps for the AWS environment.

You may save yourself some time by understanding and using AWS principles more rapidly than you would without an AWS solutions architect associate training certificate.

What is the best language for the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam?

Using Python is the best way to work with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Python's popularity among programmers of all skill levels is due in large part to the language's flexibility and readability. Python is a widely-used programming language that is free to use and supported by a large, active community.

Does the SAA-C02 exam allow for online testing?

This is possible, of course. An announcement from Amazon Web Services (AWS) in March 2020 said that you may take the SAA-C02 test and other AWS certification examinations from the convenience of your home. Pearson Vue is the only company that supports this; PSI is not one of them. 

What is AWS Solution Architect Associate exam? The answer is provided in the above article. We have already given all the documents and courses to prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C02) Certification exam. If you study and practice carefully, you will definitely pass the certificate smoothly. Good luck!