Are you looking to enhance your career as a cloud professional? Read this step-by-step guide on how to get AWS certification and learn the steps to become an AWS Certified professional.
Introduction
The rise of cloud computing has revolutionized the IT sector and increased the demand for experts in cloud technologies. With a market share of more than 30%, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the top cloud service providers. AWS provides a variety of cloud services, and earning an AWS certification can help you show off your skills and expertise while also providing you an edge in the job market.
You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering how to become certified in AWS. This in-depth guide will take you step-by-step through the process of becoming an AWS Certified professional, including picking the best certification, getting ready for the exam, and passing it.
What is AWS Certification?
Amazon developed the AWS Certification program to give cloud computing professionals a way to demonstrate their proficiency alongside their knowledge of AWS services. The program provides a number of certifications that attest to the knowledge of various AWS fields.
Benefits of AWS Certification
Getting certified in AWS has numerous advantages. It certifies your cloud computing skills, and it may open doors to better employment prospects and higher pay. Additionally, it gives you access to a network of AWS certified professionals, which can advance your career.
Why Get AWS Certified?
Let’s discuss why becoming AWS certified is crucial for your career before we get into the specifics of how to do it. The following are some claims in favour of pursuing AWS certification :
- In-demand skills: AWS is the most popular cloud service provider, and having AWS certification shows that you have skills and expertise in cloud technologies which are in high demand.
- High earning potential: According to the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, AWS Certified professionals are among the highest-paid IT professionals, earning an average salary of $129,868 annually.
- Career advancement:Your ability to show your understanding of and experience with cloud technologies can open up career advancement opportunities.
- Increased credibility: AWS certification is recognized globally and is a testament to your knowledge and skills in cloud technologies.
Now that you know why getting AWS certified is essential let’s move on to the steps on how to get AWS certification.
Step 1: Choose the Right AWS Certification
AWS provides a variety of certifications to suit various job roles and levels of experience. It’s crucial to select the certification that corresponds to your professional objectives and level of experience.
Here are the different types of AWS certifications:
1. AWS Foundational Level Certifications: These certifications are ideal for beginners who want to gain foundational knowledge in cloud computing. There are two foundational level certifications:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: This certification is suitable for individuals with no prior experience in AWS and covers the basics of AWS cloud services, architecture, pricing, and security.
- AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder: This certification is suitable for individuals who want to build and design Alexa skills using AWS services.
2. AWS Associate Level Certifications: These certifications are ideal for professionals with some experience in AWS and cover intermediate-level concepts.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: This certification is suitable for professionals who want to design and deploy scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate: This certification is suitable for professionals who develop and maintain applications on AWS.
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: This certification is suitable for professionals who manage and operate systems on AWS.
3. AWS Professional Level Certifications: These certifications are suitable for professionals who have extensive experience in AWS and cover advanced-level concepts.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional: This certification is suitable for professionals who design and deploy scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: This certification is suitable for professionals who implement and manage continuous delivery systems on AWS.
4. AWS Specialty Certifications: These certifications are suitable for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in specific areas of AWS.
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty: This certification is suitable for professionals who want to design and implement advanced networking solutions on AWS.
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty: This certification is suitable for professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in security-related solutions on AWS. Once you have decided on the certification that aligns with your career goals and experience level, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Prepare for the Amazon Web Services Certification Examination
An effective study plan, commitment, and hard work are needed to successfully prepare for an AWS certification exam. The following actions can help you get ready for the test.
- Review the Exam Guide: AWS provides a comprehensive exam guide for each certification that includes exam objectives, recommended preparation resources, and sample questions. Reviewing the exam guide will help you understand what to expect in the exam and what topics you need to study.
- Enroll in AWS Training Courses: AWS offers various training courses and learning paths to help you prepare for the exam. These courses cover various topics, from foundational to advanced-level concepts, and are taught by AWS experts.
- Use AWS Practice Tests: AWS offers practice tests that simulate the actual exam experience. Taking practice tests will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and give you a feel for the exam format.
- Study AWS Whitepapers and Documentation: AWS offers comprehensive whitepapers and documentation on a wide range of subjects pertaining to its cloud services. You are able to comprehend AWS services and their capabilities by studying these resources.
- Join AWS Communities: Joining AWS communities, such as user groups and forums, can give you access to experienced guidance from peers and AWS experts.
- Set a Study Schedule: You can stay on track and make sure you cover all the required materials before the exam by creating a study schedule and adhering to it.
Step 3: Register and Take the Amazon Web Services Examination
Once you have prepared for the exam, it’s time to register and take the exam. Here are the steps to register for an AWS certification exam:
- Create an AWS Account: If you don’t already have an AWS account, create one.
- Choose a Testing Centre: AWS certification exams are conducted at Pearson VUE testing centres worldwide. Choose a testing center near you and check the availability of the exam.
- Schedule the Exam: Schedule the exam date and time that works best for you. You can choose to take the exam at the testing centre or online from the comfort of your home or office.
- Pay the Exam Fee: Pay the exam fee, which varies depending on the certification level and location.
- Take the Exam: On the day of the exam, arrive at the testing center on time and bring two forms of identification. The exam duration and format vary depending on the certification level, but most exams are multiple choice questions and last two hours.
Amazon Web Service Certification Exam Details
AWS Exam Format
AWS certification exams are multiple choice questions and multiple answer questions, and they are mostly taken online through a web-based testing platform.
AWS Exam Difficulty
AWS certification exams are considered challenging and difficult, and they require a good understanding of AWS services and their use cases.
AWS Exam Time and Cost
The duration of the exam varies depending on the certification, but most exams are around 2-3 hours long. The cost of the exam also varies depending on the certification, but most exams cost around $150-$300.
Amazon Web Services Certification Preparation
Preparing for an AWS certification exam requires time and effort. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for your exam.
Training and Resources
Amazon provides various training courses and resources for AWS certification preparation. These include online courses, instructor-led classes, and digital and print resources.
Practice Tests
Practice tests are an excellent way to prepare for the AWS certification exam. They provide you with an idea of the types of questions you will encounter on the exam and help you identify areas where you need to improve.
Exam Registration
After preparing for the exam, you can register for the AWS certification exam on the AWS website.
FAQs on How To Get AWS Certification
1. What is AWS Certification and why should I get it?
AWS Certification is a certification that attests to your professional expertise in using cloud computing services from Amazon Web Services (AWS). It demonstrates your proficiency in developing, implementing, and managing infrastructure and applications on AWS. Obtaining this certification can improve your chances of career advancement, increase your earning potential, and help you stand out in a crowded job market.
2. What AWS Certifications are available and which one should I choose?
For different roles and levels of expertise, AWS offers a variety of certifications, including those for solutions architects, developers, SysOps administrators, DevOps engineers, and specialty certifications in fields like big data, security, machine learning, and more. The requirements, format, and content of each certification differ. Taking into account your job role, AWS experience, and career objective will help you choose the best certification.
3. How can I prepare for Amazon Web Services Certification exams?
You can use a variety of resources from AWS, including exam guides, practice tests, training sessions, and whitepapers, to help you get ready for certification exams. Additionally, there are outside resources available, including books, online classes, and study groups. It’s crucial to practice using AWS services and to review the exam blueprint, which lists the subjects and abilities tested.
4. How do I register for an AWS Certification exam?
Through the AWS Certification portal, you can sign up for an exam to receive your AWS Certification. You must register, choose the exam you want to take, pick a testing venue and date, and pay the exam fee. You must supply identification and consent to the exam’s terms and conditions before you can take it. You will need to arrive at the testing location early on the day of the exam and carry along proper identification.
5. How long is AWS Certification valid and how can I renew it?
After passing the exam, your AWS Certification remains valid for three years. You can either retake the current exam or take a higher-level exam in the same certification track to keep your certification. In order to renew your certification and earn continuing education credits (CECs), you can also take part in AWS training and events. When your certification is about to expire, AWS will notify you, and you can monitor your development and certification status through the AWS Certification portal.