ShoaibQ | January 7, 2023
Which Amazon AWS Certification Is Right For Me?
Are you thinking about which Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification is right for you? That’s great! This article will help you get the answer you are looking for.
Whether you’re looking to advance your career or break into a new field, developing cloud skills and obtaining the appropriate Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification can help open the door to some career paths that could change your life.
You might be asking, “Where do you even begin?” Describe AWS. Which AWS certification should you first earn, and which AWS certification training program is the most effective for you? For what positions are AWS certifications necessary?
First, it is important to know what, basically, AWS certification is. If you are a beginner and don’t know where to start, then read on!
What Are AWS Certifications And Why Are They Important?
Amazon Web Services, a division of Amazon.com Inc., is currently the market leader among cloud computing platforms.
The most developed cloud platform is AWS, which provides a wide range of services to practically everyone, including small businesses, large corporations, and even governments.
Initial versions of AWS were internal cloud services. By 2006, it had developed into a publicly accessible cloud platform with features like elastic compute cloud (EC2) and Amazon S3 cloud storage.
In order to validate your technical skills, AWS Certifications can assist you to enhance your expertise to the next level. Once you are AWS Certified, you will be able to get the perks that can help you show off your achievements and develop a sense of motivation to keep learning more and more.
Several well-known AWS clients are
- Expedia
- Netflix
- Coinbase
- Formula 1
- Coca Cola
- Intuit
- Airbnb
- Lyft
- Coursera
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
What are the Perks of AWS Certification?
Let’s reflect on the benefits of different AWS certifications. There are a lot of benefits of AWS certifications while some of the benefits are stated below:
- Cloud technology is getting more popular day by day. Recent research has shown that almost 85% of enterprises’ workload has been transferred to cloud technology. As we know that AWS stands among the market leaders, therefore, the AWS certification can prepare you for the upcoming trends in the professional IT job market.
- Another benefit of AWS certifications is that with the help of AWS certifications, you will be recognized as a professional and will stand among them. It will increase your market value.
- AWS certifications can also act as proof of your sheer will, determination, and hard work. How? It takes a lot of effort to pass the AWS exams, hence only intellectual students can pass these exams.
- You must be reading this blog post just to hear this and it is true. According to a survey, AWS certifications can increase the salary of an individual by up to 30%. So yeah, AWS certifications can help you earn more.
- AWS certifications also provide you with a better environment to expand your professional network.
How Many Levels Are There In AWS Certifications?
Similar to Microsoft Azure, and GCP, AWS Certifications also have 3 different levels:
- Foundational
- Associate
- Professional
Let’s discuss each level in detail:
1. Foundational
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam certification is your thorough introduction to AWS. AWS is introduced at a high level through the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. No particular services are discussed in detail. In its place, it provides a general overview of AWS’s organizational structure.
Further, we strongly advise anyone new to cloud computing to begin by enrolling in our AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course.
As you learn more about AWS’s internal operations, this will help you lay the groundwork you’ll need. Ryan’s cloud playlist of hands-on labs is another resource you can use to learn the fundamentals of AWS.
But, the foundational-level certifications should be your starting point if you intend to use AWS in any practical applications.
In addition, the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification offers a solid conceptual foundation. The AWS associate-level certifications, on the other hand, are the ones to get when it comes to actual day-to-day implementation.
Certifications:
Following are the certifications for AWS at the foundational level:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
2. Associate
The AWS Certified Associate certifications provide you with a thorough introduction to AWS and serve as a functional building block for all subsequent learning.
One year of recommended experience in problem-solving and solution implementation is required using AWS to reach the associate level.
Certifications:
Following are the certifications for AWS at the associate level:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified Developer
- AWS certification for SysOps Administrator
3. Professional
AWS certifications at the professional level, show that the individual is an expert in both knowledge and skill. Basically, these certifications aim at two specific roles solutions architecture and DevOps engineering.
As these fields belong to the professional level that is why their exams are extremely challenging. But once you have passed these exams, they can open high-level career paths for you.
It is not compulsory, but taking an associate exam is a good approach before setting your sights on a professional-level certification.
Certifications:
Following are the certifications for AWS at the professional level:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
Commonly Acquired AWS Certifications
1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner – Foundational
AWS-certified cloud practitioner certificates provide you with a thorough understanding of AWS cloud concepts. These concepts may include pricing, services, security, support, architecture, etc.
The AWS-certified cloud practitioner is an entry-level certification exam designed for the sole purpose of validating the candidate’s understanding of the AWS cloud.
Topics covered under AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification
The topics that are covered under AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification are:
- Basics of AWS cloud.
- Basics of global infrastructure.
- AWS cloud value propositions.
- Key services on AWS platforms and their use cases.
- AWS cloud architecture principles.
- Characteristics of deploying and operating in AWS cloud.
- Documentation and identification of technical assistance.
- Basics of security of AWS platform.
- Defining pricing models and account management.
For a more concise guide, check out the AWS Cloud Practitioner job description, salary, and skills required article.
2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification gives you a broad overview of the AWS cloud and mainly focuses on the core AWS services.
These core AWS services include identity and access management, virtual private cloud (S3, etc. By learning these services you will be able to understand how AWS tackles data storage, networking, security, etc.
Topics covered under AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification
The topics that are covered under AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification are
- How to architect applications on AWS technologies
- How to deploy robust applications on AWS technologies
- How to use architectural principles to define a solution
3. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
Don’t get swayed by the name and think that the AWS Certified Developer certification is only for developers.
To clarify, this certification is for everyone who uses AWS. Because this certification will help you learn AWS services including SNS, SQS, DynamoDB, etc. For this, you will be required to have a basic knowledge of these services.
Topics covered under AWS Certified Developer Certification
The topics that are usually covered under AWS Certified Developer certification are
- Basics of AWS services
- Working knowledge of core AWS architecture
- The practice of designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining an application.
4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
In the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator certification, you will be allowed to learn about Cloudwatch so that you may get to know what’s actually going on in the AWS architecture.
In the associate certifications of AWS, SysOps certification is considered the hardest. But it also acts as your most valuable asset once you have passed its exam.
Topics covered under AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Certification
The topics that are usually covered under AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Certification are
- How to operate an application in the AWS cloud platform
- How to deploy and manage an application in the AWS cloud platform
- How to select AWS services to meet the organization’s requirements.
- How to control the flow of data from AWS
5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification requires good experience in designing (at least two years) and high technical skills in AWS-based applications. Otherwise, you will not be considered eligible for it.
Topics covered under AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification
The topics that are covered under AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification are
- Knowledge to build secure and reliable applications on the AWS platform.
- Basics of network technologies.
- Knowledge of how network technologies work on the AWS platform.
- Implementation of cost-effective strategies.
- Deployment of hybrid systems.
Becoming a solution architect means you have the qualification of the highest-paid individual on the planet. Therefore, it is important to do your homework and learn everything about the skill matrix for cloud solution architect.
6. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The AWS Certified DevOps Engineering certification is all about provisioning, operating, and managing AWS applications. Primarily, it focuses on continuous delivery and automation processes.
Topics covered under AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Certification
The topics that are usually covered under AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Certification are
- Implementation of the continuous delivery system.
- Implementation of management system on the AWS platform.
- Designing, managing, and maintenance of the tools that are used for the automation of the operational process.
- Implementation of highly scalable systems on the AWS platform.
How To Get Your Amazon AWS Certification?
Follow these simple yet effective steps to get your Amazon AWS Certification.
Step 1: Create A Suitable Roadmap
Without a proper plan, you cannot get your Amazon AWS certification, which is why creating a suitable roadmap is the first and foremost part of your AWS certification process.
One AWS certification might not be enough to land you your ideal position. To differentiate yourself from the competition, you must be prepared to obtain at least two qualifications.
For people without extensive IT backgrounds, starting with the entry-level AWS Cloud Practitioner is an excellent idea.
You’ll be more likely to succeed if you have a well-planned strategy that outlines which certifications you’ll focus on and over what period of time.
Step 2: Choose High-Quality AWS Training Courses
Secondly, you should choose high-quality and productive AWS training courses. But how can you know which AWS training course is the right one for you? Well, you can look for the following qualities in an AWS training course.
- Depth and Diversity
Some AWS certifications cover a wide range of services, while others have a smaller but more in-depth coverage area. Verify student reviews of the course to ensure that the course adequately covers the test subjects.
- Up-to-date Course
AWS is always evolving, so the tests must as well. You should make sure the course is routinely updated based on student input, even if assessments sometimes trail revisions by at least six months.
- Format/Style
Select a course that fits your preferred learning method. While some classes are more focused on the slides, others are more hands-on. The finest courses should teach you the material through diagrams and presentations while also providing you with practical experience.
We recommend SkillCurb’s very own courses developed by certified and experienced professionals:
Step 3: Take Practice Simulation Exams
When you begin your training, keep in mind that you will take a real-world AWS test at the conclusion. Therefore, you’ll need to be well prepared to pass it.
Simulated practice exams are a crucial component of the AWS certification process. The fact that these mock examinations are created by certified real-world specialists who are familiar with all the requirements of the actual test makes them extremely valuable.
Here are some Amazon AWS simulated practice exams that you can check out before the real deal:
Step 4: Register For Your Amazon AWS Certification Exam
It’s time to book the exam after developing a plan, locating a top-notch AWS training program, and completing lots of practice tests.
There is no fast track to passing the Amazon AWS certification examinations. The only way to guarantee your success is to put a lot of effort into your studies and devote a lot of time and resources to practicing and learning.
Be mindful of the price of AWS certification. The prices may increase with time and you have to pay the full fee if you flunk the exam.
Step 5: Ace Your Amazon AWS Certification Exam
The final requirement for AWS certification is passing the test. However, it’s better if you just ace it!
It’s important to note that the AWS Solution Architect exam has 65 questions with multiple-choice options. You will have 130 minutes to finish the timed exam. This means that you will have roughly two minutes to answer each question.
In order to make the most of your time, make sure you spend fewer minutes on basic questions so that you have adequate time to address more difficult ones.
Furthermore, check out how to prepare for Amazon AWS certification in 2023 to learn more.
Conclusion – Which Amazon AWS Certification is Right For You?
So if you are interested in knowing which type of AWS certification is better for you, then we say it is entirely dependent on your goals.
For instance, if you think that you only need to learn enough so that you can work on the AWS cloud platform, then you should consider AWS Cloud Practitioner certification.
But if you want to have a career in cloud computing, then you should definitely choose the AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate certification.
Moreover, you can also choose AWS Certified Developer or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator if you know the basics and want to take your knowledge to the next level.
Finally, choose AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Professional if you want to be the master of your domain and already have associate-level AWS certifications.
If you already have the certification and want to land a job as a solution architect, then check out the AWS Solutions Architect interview questions and answers article.