How to become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect?

I started learning the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C02 offered by acloudguru.com. This course aimed to become a master of AWS cloud services architecture and to understand how to build cloud solutions.

Having a full-time job and a little kid to look after was challenging to keep focused on the course. I spent three months studying the material and going through practice exams, as I will explain further below. Clearly, studying the course notes alone will not be enough to pass the exam. This exam is very tough! You must familiarize yourself with the nature of questions by practicing some exams before taking the actual AWS exam itself.

Which cloud position pays the most?

Finding out which cloud-related position pays the most is challenging. Salary varies greatly depending on experience, the business, the workplace, and the particular duties of the role.

However, positions involving the cloud that call for more training and expertise, such as cloud architects and engineers, typically pay more. In addition to planning, constructing, and maintaining cloud computing systems, these individuals may also manage groups of IT and development specialists. Data from Glassdoor shows that the median annual income for a cloud engineer is $121,091, and that of a cloud architect is $121,098.

Data engineers, security engineers, and cloud solutions architects are additional professions with significant salaries. These experts are in charge of creating and executing cloud-based business solutions, ensuring cloud systems are secure, and maintaining and analyzing cloud data.

What exactly does the AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty entail?

A professional-level certification certifies your proficiency in using data analytics tools, and methodologies on the AWS platform is called AWS Certified Data Analytics: Specialty. You must pass the AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty exam to receive the certification,

which assesses your expertise in the following areas:

Data gathering, storing, and processing:

You should be able to build and put into practice solutions for data gathering, storing, and processing on the AWS platform, including using services like Amazon S3, Amazon Kinesis, and Amazon EMR.

Data analysis:

You should be able to analyze data using methods and tools, including SQL, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon Athena.

Data visualization:

To assist in sharing insights from your data research, you should be able to leverage tools like Amazon QuickSight to generate visualizations and dashboards.

Machine learning:

You should be able to utilize Amazon SageMaker and be familiar with machine learning ideas.

It’s advised that you have at least two years of experience working with data analytics on the AWS platform, as well as a solid grasp of machine learning ideas and techniques, before taking the AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty exam. To assist you in getting ready for the certification test, AWS provides a variety of training materials and courses, such as the AWS Certified Data Analytics– Specialty course and practice exams.

How much does AWS data analytics pay?

The level of experience, education, location, and job title of an AWS Certified Data Analytics expert can all affect how much they make. The average annual pay for an AWS Certified Data Analytics expert in the US is $116,656, according to Glassdoor. However, this figure can differ significantly based on the particular work and business.

AWS Certified Data Analytics professionals with several years of experience and additional certifications, such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, might, for instance, make more money than AWS Certified Data Analytics professionals.

A less seasoned analytics professional. Similarly, an AWS Certified Data Analytics professional in a senior leadership position or a region with a high cost of living may make more money than an AWS Certified Data Analytics professional in a lower-cost location or a lower-level position.

Let’s discuss the…

The route of an AWS solutions architect:

You must pass either the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification exam to become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect.

The following actions can be taken to get ready for and pass the AWS Certificate:

Familiarize yourself with the exam objectives:

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exams test your knowledge and skills in designing, deploying, and operating scalable and highly available systems on the AWS platform. You can find the exam objectives for the Associate and Professional level exams on the AWS website. Reviewing the exam objectives will give you a sense of the topics covered and help you focus your study efforts.

Gain hands-on experience:

While knowledge of the AWS platform, features, and capabilities is essential for the certification exams, hands-on experience is also critical. Before attempting the certification exams, you should have at least one year of experience designing and deploying systems on AWS.

Take an AWS training course:

Use study materials and practice exams:

In addition to training courses, several study materials and practice exams can help you prepare for the certification exams. These materials can provide additional practice and help you test your knowledge and skills.

Register and take the exam:

Once you feel confident in your knowledge and skills, you can register for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam. The exams are offered at testing centers worldwide, and you can find more information on registering and scheduling an exam on the AWS website.

Understand the exam format and time management:

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exams are multiple choice and multiple response exams. You’ll need to manage your time effectively to complete the exam within the allotted time. Practice time management skills and become familiar with the exam format to ensure you have enough time to complete all the questions.

It is worth asking,

What is the AWS architect’s salary?

The salary of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect can vary based on several factors, including the individual’s level of experience, education, location, and job title. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an AWS Certified Solutions Architect in the United States is $119,063 annually. However, the average salary for an AWS Certified Solutions Architect in Singapore is SGD 123,719 per year, while in India, it is INR 979,775 per year. This number can vary widely depending on the specific job and company.

For example, an AWS Certified Solutions Architect with several years of experience and additional certifications, such as the AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty or the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional may earn a higher salary than an AWS Certified Solutions Architect with less experience. Similarly, an AWS Certified Solutions Architect working in a high-cost-of-living or senior leadership role may earn a higher salary than an AWS Certified Solutions Architect in a lower-cost-of-living area or a more junior role.

Ultimately, the salary of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect will depend on the individual’s specific skills, experience, and job requirements, as well as the needs and budgets of the company they work for.

What is the best study material for AWS certification?

Many study materials are available to help you prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification exams.

Some of the best options include:

AWS training courses:

AWS offers a range of training courses to help prepare for the certification exams. These courses provide a comprehensive overview of the AWS platform and teach you how to design, deploy, and operate systems on AWS. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate course is specifically designed to prepare you for the Associate level exam, while the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional course covers the topics covered on the Professional level exam. The courses are delivered through self-paced online materials and instructor-led training. They include a range of resources such as lectures, hands-on labs, and practice exams. The courses are designed to be comprehensive and cover all exam objectives, so you can be confident that you are well-prepared for the certification exams.

AWS documentation:

The AWS documentation is a comprehensive resource that covers all of the services and features available on the AWS platform. It’s an excellent resource for learning about the various components of the AWS platform and how they can be used to build and operate systems.

AWS whitepapers:

AWS also publishes many whitepapers on various topics related to the AWS platform. These papers provide detailed information on specific aspects of the AWS platform and can be a valuable resource for preparing for the certification exams.

Practice exams (more on my experience below):

Practice exams are a great way to test your knowledge and skills and identify areas where you need additional study. Many practice exams are available from AWS and third-party vendors to help you prepare for the certification exams.

Books:

Many books also provide in-depth coverage of the AWS platform and can help you prepare for the certification exams. Some popular options include “AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide: Associate Exam” and “AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional: Practice Tests.”

Ultimately, the best study material for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification exams will depend on your learning style and needs. It’s a good idea to use a combination of study materials and resources to ensure that you have a well-rounded understanding of the AWS platform and are prepared.

My experience with practice exams:

From my experience, I didn’t find any better practice exams than Jon Bonso’s on Udemy; here is the link. Jon’s exams were tough, and I had to practice all six exams TWICE! In the first round, I failed each one of them. It was vital to learn from my mistakes and take notes of the questions I did wrong. Moreover, it was worth reading the in-depth explanation of all questions, even the ones I got right. After practicing in the first round, I took the six exams one more time, and I started to pass with around 80% marks.

Those exams are the most crucial step; if you pass the six exams, you will surely pass the AWS exam. Jon regularly updates the exam sets, and I am thankful for all his work.

On another note, I read many whitepapers and FAQs, and they explain everything you need to know.

Master these topics for the exam:

EBS, S3, EFS

Databases

EC2 instance types

Security Groups, NACLs, WAF, AWS Shield

Lambda and Serverless Architecture

Load Balancers and High Available architecture

VPCs

SQS, SNS, SWF

Why is the AWS Solutions Architect exam hard?

Long and scenario-based questions. Unlike the Cloud Practitioner exam, the SAA-C02 exam questions test your overall knowledge of AWS Services and how to use them together. You will be given a scenario for which you will give the correct answer. Not only are the questions long, but so are the answers! And they are confusing. So, my advice here is to be focused and read as fast as possible so you don’t get short on time.

One question with multiple services and asking for the best answer! The exam will have several questions where services are mixed, and you are asked for the “most cost-effective,” “highly available,” and “configure with less effort” solutions.

Final tips:

Here is some advice on understanding AWS terminology, which will hopefully help you make your way through the exam:

When it comes to services providing scalability and elasticity for your web tier, you should always consider using Auto Scaling and Elastic Load Balancer.

Elasticity & Availability = Elastic Load Balancer & Multi AZs.

Resilience/Scalability: Auto Scaling Group

Availability = Multiple Availability Zones

Disaster Recovery: Multiple Regions

Durability: S3 / DynamoDB

Finally, Keep practicing, and you will never regret it.

Passing the AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification exams requires a combination of knowledge, hands-on experience, and preparation. Following these steps can increase your chances of success and earning your certification.

Good Luck ! 🙂

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