The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is an entry-level certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of AWS services and cloud computing concepts.
The demand for cloud computing professionals continues to rise as businesses increasingly adopt cloud technologies. Companies of all sizes and across industries are looking for skilled professionals who can help them leverage the benefits of cloud computing, creating a wide range of job opportunities. The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification seems like the perfect starting point to build a solid foundation and expand horizons in the cloud after to get AWS DevOps Certification.
In this article, you can find the benefits of the AWS cloud practitioner exam certification overview, key topics, tips, and lastly how to study for the exam.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Exam Overview
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification is an entry-level exam that tests fundamental knowledge of cloud computing. With a time limit of 90 minutes, test-takers are required to complete 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions. The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification passing score is 700. The exam fee is $100 USD, and it can be taken either at a testing center or online with a proctor.
This certification exam is available in various language versions, including English, French (France), German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America). Spanish (Spain) and Traditional Chinese are exclusive options that are offered solely through Pearson Vue.
What are the Key Topics of the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Exam?
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification exam covers a range of key topics that are essential for understanding the fundamentals of AWS cloud computing. In the AWS Exam Guide, those key topics are called domains. There are 4 domains: Cloud Concepts, Security and Compliance, Technology, Billing, and Pricing. The following table lists the main content domains and their weightings.
| Key Topics (Domain) | % of exam |
| Cloud Concepts | 26% |
| Security and Compliance | 25% |
| Technology | 33% |
| Billing and Pricing | 16% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Cloud Concepts Domain
“Cloud Concepts” refers to the fundamental concepts and characteristics of cloud computing as they relate to AWS services. Understanding the advantages and business benefits of using cloud computing, such as cost savings, scalability, flexibility, and rapid deployment. Differentiating between Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS), and understanding their respective responsibilities.
These cloud concepts provide a foundation for understanding how AWS services and cloud computing operate. Familiarizing yourself with these concepts will help you answer questions on the exam and demonstrate your understanding of cloud computing principles.
Security and Compliance Domain
The Security and Compliance domain covers the fundamental aspects of identity and access management, detection, network, and application protection, data protection, and compliance. Here’s a breakdown of what you should understand:
IAM allows you to manage user identities and their access to AWS resources. You should understand the concepts of IAM users, groups, roles, and policies and how to enforce the principle of least privilege to grant appropriate access rights.
Awareness of AWS services that enable monitoring, logging, and auditing of your AWS resources and applications. This includes services like AWS CloudTrail, AWS Config, and Amazon CloudWatch.
Data protection includes encryption options for data at rest and in transit, such as AWS Key Management Service (KMS), SSL/TLS, and server-side encryption for storage services like Amazon S3.
Technology Domain
The technology domain is crucial to the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification exam. To excel in this section, it is essential to have a solid understanding of key AWS services. Familiarity with prominent services such as Route 53, Lambda, S3, ELB, SNS, RDS, and EC2 is a must.
These services play integral roles in various aspects of AWS infrastructure, networking, storage, computing, and messaging. Being well-versed in these services will greatly contribute to your proficiency in the technology domain of the certification exam.
Billing and Pricing Domain
The Billing and Pricing domain in the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam focuses on the concepts and practices related to AWS pricing models, cost management, and billing. You should understand the different pricing models offered by AWS.
What Are AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Exam Tips?
Here are the top tips you need to know:
Use AWS Study Guide
Start your test preparation process using the AWS study guide to thoroughly grasp the exam’s topic content. This priceless tool will improve your understanding of the main ideas and goals of the test.
The study guide will provide you with a thorough overview of the subjects you should concentrate on when getting ready for the exam. Additionally, it will help you comprehend every exam topic and learn useful preparation strategies. The secret to succeeding on your certification exam is to follow the study guide’s instructions carefully.
Also, check AWS Training and Certification Events for other preparation materials.
Learn from AWS-Certified Individuals
Harnessing experiences of AWS certified individuals can significantly reduce the time required for pre-preparation. By tapping into their valuable insights, you can glean invaluable tips and strategies that streamline your exam readiness process, saving you valuable time and effort.
It is also important to learn what they experienced on the Day of the exam. Drawing from the experiences of those who have successfully navigated the certification journey, you can optimize your own preparation efforts and confidently embark on the path to achieving your AWS certification goals.
Create a To-Do List
Creating a “To Do” list is helpful when preparing for the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification exam. It helps you organize your study materials, resources, and tasks in a systematic manner, ensuring that you cover all the necessary topics and domains required for the exam.
You can ensure that you cover all the key areas and concepts needed for the exam. It helps prevent skipping important topics or spending excessive time on areas you are already comfortable with. It ensures a balanced and comprehensive preparation.
How to Study AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification?
AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification preparation begins by understanding the exam objectives and knowledge areas covered by the certification. Review the official AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide, provided by AWS, which summarizes exam content and recommended resources.
After deeply understanding the exam concept, practice answering AWS Cloud Practitioner exam questions to get comfortable with the format and types of questions you may encounter. Seek out reputable study materials and resources that provide AWS Cloud Practitioner certification questions and answers. These resources can help you test your knowledge.
You can find AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification example questions here.
“Practice, practice and practice” is essential, especially in order to obtain the AWS Cloud Practitioner and AWS Solution Architect Associate Certifications on the first try.
Three different practice tests can be continued until each score exceeds 90. After each attempt, their answers are checked to identify weak areas and topics. These specific areas are then focused on.
Here is a to-do list for AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification exam preparation:
Create a Study Plan
Develop a study plan that suits your schedule and learning style. Allocate dedicated study time for each topic and track your progress. Breaking down your preparation into manageable chunks can help you stay organized and focused.
Use Comprehensive Study Materials
Use a variety of study materials to cover the breadth of topics in the exam. This may include official AWS documentation, whitepapers, online courses, practice exams, and study guides. Review each topic thoroughly and make notes to reinforce your understanding.
Enhance Your Understanding with Hands-on Experience
Hands-on experience with AWS services can enhance your understanding. Consider signing up for a free AWS account and exploring the AWS Management Console to get practical exposure to different services and their functionalities.
Review and Practice
Regularly review the material you have studied and practice answering exam questions. Reinforce your understanding through repetition and revision. Focus on areas where you feel less confident and seek additional resources or clarification as needed.
Benefits of AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification
The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification offers several benefits to individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and career in cloud computing. AWS is a leading cloud services provider, and its certifications are highly regarded in the industry. By earning the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification, individuals gain recognition for their knowledge and skills in AWS technologies, making them more marketable to potential employers and clients.
Here are some benefits of the AWS cloud practitioner certification:
Foundation in Cloud Computing
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification provides a solid foundation in cloud computing concepts, AWS services, and architectural best practices. It equips individuals with a comprehensive understanding of cloud fundamentals, making it an excellent starting point for anyone interested in a career in cloud technology.
Industry Recognition
AWS is a leading cloud services provider, and its certifications are highly regarded in the industry. By earning the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification, individuals gain recognition for their knowledge and skills in AWS technologies, making them more marketable to potential employers and clients.
Career Advancement
The demand for cloud professionals is continuously increasing, and the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification can significantly enhance career prospects. It opens up job opportunities in cloud-related roles, including cloud architects, cloud consultants, and cloud operations specialists. Additionally, it can serve as a stepping stone for higher-level AWS certifications, enabling individuals to advance their careers further.
Who’s The Ideal Candidate for AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification?
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification is designed for individuals who are new to the AWS cloud and want to establish a foundational understanding of AWS services and cloud computing concepts. The ideal candidate falls into one or more of the following categories:
IT Professionals
IT professionals beginning their journey into cloud computing or expanding their knowledge of AWS can benefit from the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification. AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification comprehensively introduces AWS services, architectural principles, and cloud best practices.
Business and Non-Technical Professionals
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification is also suitable for business professionals, project managers, sales and marketing representatives, and individuals in non-technical roles who want to gain a high-level understanding of AWS cloud services. It allows them to effectively communicate with technical teams, make informed decisions, and understand the business implications of adopting cloud technologies.
Students and Recent Graduates
Students and recent graduates pursuing careers in IT, especially AWS DevOps engineers, can use the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification to differentiate themselves in the job market. It demonstrates their commitment to learning cloud computing concepts and gives them a competitive edge when applying for entry-level cloud-related positions. This sounds like good career planning, given that the average AWS DevOps engineer salary in the US is $125,000 per year.
Cloud Enthusiasts
Individuals with a passion for cloud computing, even without a technical background, can benefit from the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification. It provides a solid foundation and helps them understand the fundamental concepts and terminology associated with AWS and cloud computing in general.
Final Thoughts
Numerous online courses are available for AWS Certification Preparation. However, it is suggested to select courses with hands-on exercises and practical examples rather than focusing solely on theory. This is especially crucial for higher-level certifications.
If you are not familiar with cloud and AWS concepts, enrolling in an AWS/DevOps Course can greatly assist you. For individuals with limited time, exam-focused study methods may prove more beneficial.
Once you have grasped the fundamentals of AWS, the practical experience becomes a key factor in achieving AWS certifications.
