So I started this year 2023, with checking off an item in my bucket list – pass AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam.
With that I finally received an official validation to my AWS knowledge which was long due.
Since I shared this news with my contacts, I’ve been getting requests to share the dumps.
So I’m sharing here the approach and details of the courses that I followed.
I hope this post helps them & other aspirants who wish to complete the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Exam
To first familiarise with the SAA-C03 exam take a quick glance at the manual. Not be deceived by the $150 exam price. It’s still a difficult exam! The test conditions are as follows:
- Testing facilities include Pearson VUE (PSI has been discontinued lately)
- There is 130 minutes to respond to 65 questions.Multiple-choice questions and multiple-response questions
- The passing mark is 720 out of 1000
- No lab or practical questions
- Even though I wasn’t really prepared and frequently had to guess, the 130 minutes were adequate to finish the exam and go over some of the material
- If you are a non-native English speaker who finds it challenging to understand English, Amazon grants you a 30-minute exam extension for all upcoming exam registrations
How did I prepare for the AWS SAA C03 exam
I did not use any dumps. Instead here’s what I followed – the 3 step approach.
Online Course
I prefer on-demand online tutorials as helps with Visual learning, and much more engaging than documents/books.
I followed the course on Udemy by Stephane Maarek – https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03/
Some other popular sites for good courses are AWS skillbuilder by AWS, aCloudGuru and Linux Academy.
Hands-on Experience
This is important as it will help with Reinforcement of concepts, application of skills, problem-solving skills.
Usually the above mentioned video courses also include hands-on sessions.
It allows us to gain a deeper understanding of various services and tools offered by the platform.
Additionally, hands-on experience helps in troubleshooting which is common in scenario types of questions in the exam.
Solve practice exam papers
I practiced 2 exam papers from Udemy. (Udemy was convenient to me as it was easy to manage all my courses on the same platform).
1) Stephane Maarek – https://www.udemy.com/course/practice-exams-aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate/
2) Jon Bonso – https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-amazon-practice-exams-saa-c03/
These have 6 practice papers each & each paper with 65 questions (which seems to be a standard across practice paper courses).
Other popular sites for practice papers are Whizzlabs & Tutorialdojo.
Also during certification tests, practise exam papers can be crucial because they can benefit you in a number of ways.
Exam format and structure familiarity: You can improve your test format and structure familiarity by practising exam questions. This can make you more at ease and assured during the actual exam.
Finding knowledge gaps: Exam practise papers might assist you in locating potential knowledge gaps. You can concentrate your study efforts on those areas by going over the questions you struggled with or got wrong.
Time Management: Exam practise papers might help you develop better time management abilities. You can learn how to pace yourself and prevent spending too much time on anything by pacing yourself and working under pressure.
Reduce Test anxiety: Taking practise exams can help lessen test anxiety since it allows you to get comfortable with the exam setting and increase your self-confidence.
Conclusion
Different courses have their own unique approach and teaching methodologies, so it would be best to research and read reviews before deciding on one that best suits your needs.
I believe these 3 steps are a good & fool proof system to complete any AWS exam.
The whole preparation takes about 4-10 weeks & depends upon how much time you can dedicate per day and also on your previous experience & familiarity with concepts.
Stop looking for Dumps!
And as far as the dumps are concerned, I havn’t heard of them for the longest time.
Are they any good? Will it help in passing the exam?
Not sure of that. Because the information contained in dumps may not be current or accurate. It could also negatively impact your understanding of the technology.
But what I’m sure of is that there is no shortcut to success. With that in mind, I wish everyone who wishes to pass the exam, a Good Luck!
