PrepWhat is AWS certification?
AWS certification is Amazon Web Services' set of exams that prove you understand and can work with its cloud platform. The usual starting point is the Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02), a foundational exam for technical and non-technical roles alike. The Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03) is the common next step for people who design systems on AWS. Each certification is valid for 3 years.
How do I get AWS certified?
You get AWS certified by choosing an exam, preparing with its official exam guide, and passing it at a Pearson VUE test center or online with a remote proctor. Neither the Cloud Practitioner nor the Solutions Architect - Associate has formal prerequisites. Most beginners start with the Cloud Practitioner (USD 100, 65 questions in 90 minutes); people with about a year of hands-on AWS experience often take the Solutions Architect - Associate (USD 150, 130 minutes).
AWS Certification Path: Every Current Exam and the Best Route for Your Role
Is AWS certification worth it?
An AWS certification is usually worth it if you work with AWS or want to, because it gives employers a recognized check of your cloud knowledge. The Cloud Practitioner suits beginners and non-technical staff; the Solutions Architect - Associate carries more weight for technical roles. A certificate works best alongside hands-on projects, since interviews test what you can build. Pay depends far more on your role, experience and location than on the badge itself.
AWS Certification Path: Every Current Exam and the Best Route for Your Role
How much does AWS certification cost?
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam costs USD 100 and the Solutions Architect - Associate costs USD 150. AWS notes that additional costs and foreign exchange rates may apply in some countries. You pay per attempt, so budget for a possible retake. Preparation can be cheap: the official exam guides are free, and an AWS Free Tier account lets you practise hands-on.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Study Guide: A 4-Week Plan for CLF-C02
How long does AWS certification last?
AWS certifications last 3 years. You renew the Cloud Practitioner by passing its latest version, passing any Associate- or Professional-level AWS exam, or completing the AWS Cloud Quest: Recertify Cloud Practitioner course. You renew the Solutions Architect - Associate by passing its latest version or by earning the Solutions Architect - Professional.
Which AWS certification should I get first?
Start with the Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) if you are new to cloud or work in a non-technical role. If you already have about a year of hands-on AWS experience, you can go straight to the Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03), the usual next step for people who design systems on AWS. There is no single best AWS certification: pick the one that matches your role and experience.
AWS Certification Path: Every Current Exam and the Best Route for Your Role
How long does it take to get AWS certified?
Many beginners prepare for the Cloud Practitioner in a few weeks of part-time study; our plan uses four weeks at about 6 to 8 hours a week. The Solutions Architect - Associate usually takes longer, often one to three months, and goes much better with real hands-on practice. Book the exam once you score comfortably above the passing level on timed practice tests.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Study Guide: A 4-Week Plan for CLF-C02
How do I get the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification?
Download the official CLF-C02 exam guide, study its four domains (Cloud Concepts 24%, Security and Compliance 30%, Cloud Technology and Services 34%, and Billing, Pricing, and Support 12%), practise in an AWS Free Tier account, then book the USD 100 exam with Pearson VUE. You need a scaled score of 700 out of 1,000, and no IT background is required.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Study Guide: A 4-Week Plan for CLF-C02
Is the AWS exam hard?
The Cloud Practitioner is an entry-level exam that tests concepts and what each service is for, not hands-on configuration, and coding is out of scope. The Solutions Architect - Associate is noticeably harder: its questions are longer scenarios where you must pick the most secure, resilient, high-performing or cost-effective design. Unanswered questions count as wrong and there is no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.
What is the easiest AWS certification?
The Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is generally the easiest AWS certification: it is foundational, has no prerequisites, suits people without an IT background and tests concepts rather than configuration. AWS also offers the AI Practitioner as a second foundational exam for people who work with AI products. Associate-level exams such as the Solutions Architect - Associate expect real hands-on experience.
AWS Certification Path: Every Current Exam and the Best Route for Your Role
Which is better, AWS or Azure?
Neither is better overall: the right one is the platform your employer or target employers use. Both have entry-level exams. The AWS Cloud Practitioner costs USD 100, runs 90 minutes and needs 700 out of 1,000; Microsoft's AZ-900 has a 45-minute exam and also needs 700. If you are unsure, check which platform appears more often in job ads where you live.
What is the AWS passing score?
AWS reports results as a scaled score from 100 to 1,000. The Cloud Practitioner needs 700 and the Solutions Architect - Associate needs 720. Scoring is compensatory, so you only need to pass the exam overall, not each domain. Only the 50 scored questions count; the other 15 are unscored and you cannot tell which they are.
How many questions are on AWS exams?
Both the Cloud Practitioner and the Solutions Architect - Associate have 65 questions, of which 50 are scored and 15 are unscored. You get 90 minutes for the Cloud Practitioner and 130 minutes for the Solutions Architect - Associate. Questions are multiple choice (one correct answer out of four) or multiple response (two or more correct answers out of five or more options).
Can I prepare for AWS certification for free?
Yes, much of the preparation can be free, though the exams themselves are paid. AWS publishes free exam guides that list every domain and task statement, and an AWS Free Tier account lets you practise with services such as EC2, S3 and IAM; keep an eye on the billing console. You can also check your level with our free AWS practice test before you book.