Navigate your AWS Certification journey like an AWS pro

AWS Certifications validate your technical expertise and show your commitment to professional growth in cloud computing. We’re both experienced AWS professionals and have witnessed firsthand how cloud technologies can accelerate mission-critical initiatives and solve complex challenges in regulated industries. AWS Certifications have been an important part of our respective career progression and we’re passionate about sharing our certification experiences to help others.

Whether you’re starting in a traditional IT role or already working with cloud technologies, we hope that some of the tips we offer will be helpful as you prepare for, and navigate your own AWS learning journey.

But first, let us introduce ourselves:

I’m James and I’m a Senior Solutions Architect at AWS, focusing on healthcare and life sciences customers. My 30-year technology journey began in highly regulated environments, including the Department of Defense and the pharmaceutical industry. I’ve earned all the active AWS Certifications and continuously use this knowledge as I help customers modernize their applications and infrastructure. In March 2024, I joined a select group of less than 1% of AWS employees who have earned and maintain all AWS Certifications.

I’m Vimal and I’m a Principal Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with 25 years of experience implementing technology solutions across regulated industries. Before joining AWS in 2021, I led cloud-based healthcare implementations and managed large-scale programs in aerospace and transportation. I help customers leverage AWS solutions to transform their operations and achieve business objectives. I recently earned the prestigious AWS Golden Jacket by earning all active AWS Certifications.

With introductions out of the way, we’re excited to dive into AWS Certification, our learning journeys, the impact on our careers, and our best practices to prepare for an AWS Certification exam.

The AWS Certification journey

The path to become AWS Certified is adaptable to your experience level and career goals. Whether you’re starting with cloud fundamentals, or diving into advanced specialties, AWS offers certifications that build upon each other to help you progressively deepen your expertise in cloud computing.

You can start your certification journey from any point, regardless of your technical background or role. However, the AWS Certification paths can help you know where to start, based on your prior experience, your current role, and your desired career path.

There are four “levels” of AWS Certification, which you can think of like building blocks.

• The Foundational level, which includes the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and the AWS Certified AI Practitioner certifications, introduces core AWS concepts and services, creating a solid base for your cloud journey.
• The next level is the Associate level, inclusive of five certifications: Solutions Architect, Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, SysOps Administrator, and Developer. These certifications require you to demonstrate your understanding of hands-on implementation skills and ability to design robust solutions.
• Next are the Professional certifications, which challenge you to tackle complex scenarios and include Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer.
• The final level comprises the Specialty certifications, which require you to demonstrate deep expertise in specific technical domains, including Machine Learning, Advanced Networking, and Security.

Vimal’s certification learning journey

Before joining AWS in 2021, my experiences with AWS were limited. The vast ecosystem of cloud services and technologies seemed daunting, especially with my primary focus being on client-facing responsibilities, rather than deep technical expertise. However, I recognized the growing importance of cloud computing and the valuable insights I could gain in my pursuit of AWS Certifications – both for my career and to better serve my customers.

I was driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to push the boundaries of my capabilities. So, I embarked on a challenging journey focused on learning the content covered by AWS Certifications that related to my role and account.

I started building my knowledge in pursuit of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, which I began while I was in the interview process with AWS! I leveraged a variety of resources, from online courses to expert-led training sessions. I passed – and got the job!

I kept at it and soon I realized I had achieved so many AWS Certifications that I had only a few left to obtain! This was no easy feat. Each exam is rigorous, requiring a comprehensive understanding of AWS services, architecture, and best practices.

Nevertheless, I was undeterred, dedicating countless hours to studying, hands-on practice, and immersing myself in AWS services. My success required dedication and a structured approach. There were many obstacles and moments of self-doubt, but my unwavering determination kept me moving forward. I meticulously planned my study schedule, strategically tackling preparation for one AWS Certification exam at a time. Each milestone I reached fueled my motivation as I witnessed my mastery of AWS grow exponentially.

In less than three years from when I started, I achieved the remarkable feat of attaining all the active AWS Certifications. This accomplishment was a testament to my adaptability, my willingness to step out of my comfort zone, and my commitment to continuous learning. It has been a transformative experience that not only expanded my technical expertise but also broadened my perspectives and enhanced my ability to serve my customers more effectively. I’ve seen how the knowledge I gained while preparing for each certification has translated into my ability to offer heightened customer value.

James’ certification learning journey

Prior to AWS, my skills were in database administration at a large pharmaceutical company. I wanted to get more involved in cloud computing and expand my technical experience. I earned my first AWS Certification, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, in 2017. This allowed me to pursue a career change, moving into a cloud engineering role that aligned with my interests.

I found that earning this initial AWS Certification opened new doors, leading me to explore more advanced AWS offerings. I next prepared for and earned the two Professional certifications while leading DevOps teams and implementing Software as a Service solutions for a large government contractor. These certifications enhanced my ability to design resilient architectures and guide healthcare projects toward efficient cloud adoption.

As I progressed in my career, I realized the value of expanding my certification portfolio. As a Solutions Architect at AWS focusing on migrations and modernization, I recognized how each certification offered unique insights into helping customers solve complex challenges. This motivated me to systematically work through achieving all the Foundational and Associate certifications, followed by Specialty certifications in machine learning and advanced networking.

Through this, I discovered that my diverse background complemented my growing AWS expertise. Each certification built upon my experience in healthcare and life sciences, creating a comprehensive understanding of how AWS services solve real business challenges. For example, my background in pharmaceutical IT operations helped me better appreciate the security and compliance aspects covered in the AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification, enabling me to design more robust solutions for regulated workloads.

My AWS Certifications have significantly expanded my technical expertise. These credentials have enhanced my ability to lead cloud migrations and modernization initiatives. They’ve also enabled me transition my career from database administration to cloud engineering and solutions architecture. Each certification has created new professional opportunities and established a systematic approach for guiding customers through cloud adoption. This process has helped me continuously advance my career development.

Preparing for success to earn your AWS Certification

As you can see, no matter where you start or what your prior experience may be, AWS Certifications can offer a tangible strategy to help you deliver value to customers and/or advance your career.

The journey to earn your first – or next – AWS Certification requires thoughtful preparation. We recommend first downloading the exam guide and then take a practice assessment for the AWS Certification exam you’re considering. These are available on AWS Skill Builder the 20 question sets are free, and the full practice assessment are available with subscription. Both options offer detailed feedback and recommended resources to help you prepare for your exam. AWS Skill Builder is going to be your companion in this journey, offering self-paced digital courses and structured learning paths that combine theory with practical exercises.

Taking a practice assessment is a great way to get a baseline for what you know, where you need to brush up your knowledge, and where you are starting from square one.  This, plus the exam guide step, helps create a focused learning path tailored to your current knowledge and experience level.

Building your knowledge

The most effective certification preparation combines structured learning with practical application and approaching the study material through the lens of real-world scenarios. Rather than viewing study sessions as a checklist of topics, approach them as opportunities to deepen your understanding of AWS services in real-world contexts.

When you study Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), think about how you will use it to solve specific business challenges. Time spent in the AWS Management Console brings documentation to life. For example, when studying Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), create instances with different configurations to understand how each choice affects performance and cost. These practical exercises help you connect certification concepts to actual customer scenarios.

Then create a learning rhythm that works with your schedule. Set aside 45-90 minutes at your peak time of day – whenever you feel at your most alert and focused – for dedicated study. During these sessions, actively engage with the material by taking notes, drawing diagrams, or explaining concepts aloud. This consistent practice helps transform technical information into practical knowledge. You can find dedicated courses to help you prepare for each AWS Certification.

Practice makes progress

When you’re ready, take the practice exam again to assess your readiness to sit for the exam. Practice exams serve as more than assessment tools – they’re learning opportunities. When you encounter a challenging question, use it as a springboard to explore the underlying AWS services and their interactions. The goal isn’t just to memorize correct answers, but to understand the principles behind them. Remember, your goal is to be able to use this new knowledge in practical ways to enhance your career objectives, not just to earn the certification badge.

As you progress through practice exams, you’ll notice patterns in how questions present architectural decisions. These patterns reflect real-world scenarios where multiple solutions might work, but one better aligns with specific customer requirements, like cost optimization or operational excellence.

Book your exam

Consider booking your exam and use that as motivation to keep progressing with your studying. Choose an exam time of day when you typically feel most focused and alert. Setting this date provides a deadline. Work backwards from this date, ensuring you have the time you think you will need to prepare. From our personal experience, we recommend 2-3 weeks to prepare for Foundational exams, 3-5 weeks for Associate exams, 8-12 weeks for Professional exams, and 6-8 weeks for Specialty exams. Take into account the recommended per-requisites for each exam too (i.e., number of years of experience)!

Exam dates are adjustable up to 24 hours before the exam without financial penalty. If you have doubts about your preparedness, simply move the date out! If you are a non-native English speaker, be sure to request the English as a second language “ESL +30” option.

And remember, to earn the AWS Certification, you need to achieve a passing score, not a perfect score.

Preparing for exam day

The days leading up to your certification exam present an opportunity to consolidate your knowledge rather than trying to cram new information. Review your notes, focusing on service integrations and key architectural principles. Consider how different AWS services work together to create resilient, secure, and efficient solutions.

If you’re taking an online-proctored exam, test your technical setup 24 hours before, to ensure your equipment and workspace meets exam requirements. Check out tips to a successful online-proctored exam.

Beyond AWS Certification

Earning an AWS Certification marks a milestone in your professional development, but the learning continues. AWS regularly introduces new services and features that solve emerging customer challenges. You can Stay current through the following resources:

• AWS technical documentation
• AWS Architecture blog
• Community discussions and events
• Hands-on experimentation with new services
• AWS Ramp-Up Guides
• Learning by role or solution
• AWS Training and Certification blog

Each AWS Certification builds on your existing knowledge, teaching you to apply AWS services to solve real business challenges. This process shifts your focus from individual services to customer outcomes, enhancing your ability to deliver value regardless of your certification level.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to pass an exam; it is to develop expertise that enables you to deliver real-world solutions. Your certification journey is an investment in you and your ability to help organizations innovate and succeed in the cloud. We’re cheering you on!