My AWS Solution Architect Association Certification Journey
I passed my AWS Solutions Architect — Associate (AWS SAA) Certification last month (Scored 823 over 1000). I learned tons of concepts about cloud computing when I was preparing for the exam. I would like to share my experience for those who also want to get this certification.
My background
Degree:
- M.S Business Analytics at UT Dallas
- B.S Applied Mathematics at National Chengchi University in Taiwan
Related Experience:
None. This is my first time to learn cloud computing.
Reasons to get certified:
Cloud computing is a game changer in IT world. We can easily set up service fast and easy on the web browser. Besides, you can focus on your own business and do not need to worry infrastructure maintenance cause the cloud provider will do it for you. There are so many awesome features in cloud computing. I would like to understand and utilize the power of AWS. The certification is my first step in cloud computing world.
How did I prepare?
- Understand the criteria about the exam. There are two versions of exam we can choose. One is a 2018 version, the other is an older version. There are some differences between these two versions. Make sure you choose the right version. I took 2018 version.
- Watch Acloudguru courses for getting AWS SAA. This is the course I took on udemy (or directly go to acloud.guru). Acloudguru provides a very good series of courses contains a well-structured knowledge of AWS environment. The lecturer Ryan Kroonenburg gives me the whole picture of AWS world. I highly recommend Acloudguru as your first material to understand AWS.
- Hands-on AWS service. Although the exam is based on multiple choice questions, you will re-fresh your AWS knowledge while implementing AWS service.
- Read FAQs. Read FAQs about some core service (e.g. EC2, S3, VPC…etc.). FAQs contain many useful information which will be a big help in the exam.
- Find online mock questions to practice. The exam is based on scenario questions. It is better for you go through more questions and scenarios to make sure that you can pass the exam.
About the exam
I took exam in PSI test center at 1701 N Collin blvd suit 130, Richardson, TX. It is a great test center. The officers are nice. The place is clean, quiet and close to UT Dallas. It is a great choice if you live around UT Dallas. There is nothing to complain during the exam.
Tip
***Understand AWS service on high level***
The association level exam aims on high level understanding in AWS service. Therefore, the Solution Architect(SA) exam takers do not need to dig deeply into AWS service structure or coding. The goal of a successful SA is to determine what AWS service should use in specific scenario.
Good Luck!
