A Guide to AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam

The AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam is one of the most sought-after certifications for cloud professionals. This guide consolidates the best resources, strategies, and tips to help you ace the exam on your first attempt.

1. Understand the Exam Format

Before diving into preparation, familiarize yourself with the exam details:

• Exam Type: Multiple choice and multiple responses
• Domains Covered:
  1. Design Secure Architectures (30%)
  2. Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
  3. Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
  4. Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)
• Duration: 130 minutes
• Passing Score: ~720/1000
• Cost: $150 (plus applicable taxes)

2. Core Resources for Preparation

a) Best Courses for AWS SAA C03

Invest in high-quality video courses to build your foundational knowledge and learn key AWS services in depth.

1. Stephen Marek’s SAA-C03 Course
   • Available on Udemy, this is one of the best-rated courses. Stephen’s teaching style is highly engaging, and he focuses on both theoretical and practical aspects of AWS services.
   • Includes hands-on labs and quizzes to solidify your learning.
   • Link: Stephen Marek AWS SAA-C03
2. Adrian Cantrill’s AWS Solutions Architect Associate Course
   • A deep dive into AWS concepts with high-quality diagrams and real-world scenarios.
   • Comprehensive coverage of all exam domains.
   • Link: 20% Discount Link Adrian Cantrill AWS Course

b) AWS Solutions Architect mock exams and Practice Tests

1. Tutorials Dojo Question Bank: Tutorials Dojo AWS practice
   • Created by Jon Bonso, these are some of the most reliable and well-explained practice questions for AWS certifications.
   • Includes detailed explanations for every answer, helping you understand concepts thoroughly.
   • Link: Tutorials Dojo AWS Practice Exams
2. ExamTopics
   • A free resource offering a vast collection of community-sourced SAA-C03 questions.
   • While the accuracy of some answers may vary, it’s excellent for exposure to different question formats.
   • Link: ExamTopics AWS Questions
3. Peace of Code YouTube Videos
   • A fantastic YouTube channel offering AWS exam tips and walkthroughs of mock questions.
   • Focuses on real-world scenarios and provides in-depth explanations.
   • Link: Peace of Code AWS Playlist
4. ItsAws.com
   • You can find all the questions and answers on my website. Link [Link coming soon]

c) AWS exam whitepapers and Documentation

Whitepapers are an official resource from AWS and are highly recommended for exam preparation.

1. AWS Well-Architected Framework
   • Covers best practices for building secure, high-performing, and cost-optimized architectures.
   • Link: AWS Well-Architected Framework
2. AWS Security Documentation
   • Essential for understanding IAM, encryption, and security practices.
   • Link: AWS Security Whitepapers
3. AWS FAQs
   • Read FAQs for services like EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, and VPC for detailed insights.

3. Study Plan and Strategy

a) Study Timeline

Allocate at least 4–6 weeks to prepare thoroughly.

1. Week 1–2: Learn Core Concepts
   • Watch Stephen Marek’s or Adrian Cantrill’s videos and take notes.
   • Start hands-on practice in the AWS Management Console.
2. Week 3–4: Reinforce Learning
   • Solve questions from Tutorials Dojo and ExamTopics.
   • Refer to AWS whitepapers for deeper insights.
3. Week 5–6: Focus on Weak Areas
   • Revise notes and rewatch video lectures on weak topics.
   • Take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions.

b) Practice Hands-On Labs

AWS is practical, so gaining hands-on experience is crucial. Work on these areas:

• Setting up EC2 instances, security groups, and VPCs.
• Configuring S3 buckets with lifecycle policies and permissions.
• Deploying serverless applications with AWS Lambda.

c) Simulate the Exam

• Take at least 3 full-length practice tests in exam-like conditions.
• Aim to consistently score 80% or higher before scheduling your exam.

4. Exam Day Tips

1. Time Management:
   • 130 minutes for 65 questions gives ~2 minutes per question. Don’t get stuck on a single question; flag it and move on.
2. Elimination Technique:
   • Use the process of elimination to narrow down options, especially for scenario-based questions.
3. Review Your Answers:
   • Use any remaining time to review flagged questions.

5. After the Exam

• If you pass, share your journey on LinkedIn to build credibility.
• If not, revisit your weak areas and reschedule the exam.

Conclusion

The AWS SAA-C03 exam is challenging but achievable with the right strategy and resources. By leveraging video courses, practice questions, and AWS documentation, you can build a strong foundation and pass the exam with confidence.

Good luck on your journey to becoming an AWS Certified Solutions Architect!

If you want to PASS the SAA C03 exam within a short time frame, then you must read “How I Passed the AWS SAA C03 Solution Architect Associate Exam in 4 Weeks“