AWS Certified Solutions Architect: Navigating the cloud security landscape

What is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification proves that you know how to design and secure highly available and fault-tolerant systems on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It's a key certification for professionals who want to design AWS systems. 

Get Certified

Key facts

Begin your journey to getting certified with an AWS Solutions Architect Boot Camp. 

AWS Solutions Architect certification overview

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect is one of the most valued and in-demand cloud computing credentials today. As businesses increasingly adopt AWS for mission-critical workloads, certified solutions architects play a pivotal role in designing secure, scalable and cost-optimized cloud architecture. This certification validates an individual's ability to effectively leverage AWS services and best practices to meet organizational requirements. 

The latest version of the AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate (SAA-C03) exam covers four major domains: 

Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures (30%)
  • Design secure access to AWS resources. 
  • Design secure workloads and applications. 
  • Determine appropriate data security controls. 
Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
  • Design scalable and loosely coupled architectures. 
  • Design highly available and/or fault-tolerant architectures. 
Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
  • Determine high-performing and/or scalable storage solutions. 
  • Design high-performing and elastic compute solutions. 
  • Determine high-performing database solutions. 
  • Determine high-performing and/or scalable network architectures. 
  • Determine high-performing data ingestion and transformation solutions. 
Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)
  • Design cost-optimized storage solutions. 
  • Design cost-optimized compute solutions. 
  • Design cost-optimized database solutions. 
  • Design cost-optimized network architectures. 

AWS Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) exam details

The SAA-C03 exam covers a comprehensive set of AWS services and architectural best practices, ensuring that successful candidates possess the necessary skills to build robust and cost-effective solutions.

Launch date: 2013 Passing score: 720 (out of 1000)
Last update:

August 2022

 Exam level: Associate
Number of questions: 65 Languages: English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain) and Traditional Chinese.
Type of questions: Multiple-choice and multiple-response Validity duration:

3 years
Length of test: 130 minutes Renewal process: Pass the latest version of the exam or pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Professional exam

Additional AWS Solutions Architect exam resources

Preparing for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam can be challenging, but plenty of resources are available to help you succeed. From official study guides to practice tests and free training materials, these tools can supplement your learning and increase your chances of passing the certification exam. 

AWS Solutions Architect study guides and books

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide (Associate Exam)  
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) Exam Guide  
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Study Guide  
  • AWS for Solutions Architects: The definitive guide to AWS Solutions Architecture for migrating to, building, scaling and succeeding in the cloud

 

AWS Solutions Architect practice questions and exams

  • AWS Skill Builder offers self-paced training, including practice exams. 
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Practice Tests 2024 [SAA-C03]: 390 AWS Practice Exam Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations by Neal Davis. 
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate Practice Tests by Brett McLaughlin 
Many paid AWS Solutions Architect training courses also provide practice questions, including Infosec’s AWS Boot Camp and on-demand learning path. 

Other free AWS Solutions Architect training resources

While not directly related to passing the AWS Solutions Architect exam, many other online resources will help you prepare for it, including: 

  • Online forums and social networks will allow you to connect with other individuals who are either preparing for the SAA-C03 exam or have already passed it. Find exam tips and support at communities like TechExams or Reddit. 
  • YouTube is also a great place to find videos on preparing for the AWS Solutions Architect exam, including videos by Infosec. 
  • Podcasts like Cyber Work may not directly help you prepare for the SAA-C03 exam, but you will learn a lot about the challenges and opportunities an AWS solutions architect will run into during their career. 

AWS Solutions Architect jobs and careers

Earning your AWS Solutions Architect certification unlocks a world of exciting possibilities within the field of cloud computing. This coveted credential positions you for in-demand jobs with high earning potential, allowing you to leverage your Cloud expertise to design, build and secure mission-critical solutions on the AWS platform for organizations of all sizes.

Common AWS Solutions Architect job titles

  • Cloud Architect 
  • AWS Solutions Engineer 
  • Cloud Infrastructure Architect 
  • AWS Security Architect 
  • DevOps Engineer 
  • Enterprise Solutions Architect 

AWS Solutions Architect boot camps and self-paced training

Live AWS Solutions Architect Boot Camp

Live online or in-person AWS boot camps can help you get certified quickly. For example, Infosec partners with AWS to provide a three-day AWS Certified Solutions Architect Boot Camp. 

Advantages of enrolling in a boot camp include: 

  • Live instruction: Boot camps allow interaction with instructors and peers with useful AWS or AWS exam experience to share. 
  • Complete certification package: When searching for an AWS boot camp, find out if there will be any additional costs for training materials, exam vouchers or hands-on resources. 
  • Higher pass rates: AWS boot camps prepare you to pass the exam on your first attempt, and providers like Infosec back their training with an Exam Pass Guarantee. 

Learn more about the live AWS Solutions Architect Boot Camp. 

On-demand AWS Solutions Architect training

If you can’t get away for a live boot camp, the on-demand AWS Solutions Architect Learning Path allows you to study at your own pace with more than 22 hours of training material. 

The advantages of the self-study approach include: 

  • Train at your own pace: Train when it’s convenient for you — over lunch, on the weekend or whenever fits your schedule. 
  • Build an individual training plan: Since you’ll be training by yourself, you can target your training around the AWS domains and exam objectives you need to learn the most.  
  • Test on your schedule: With a self-study approach, you can take the AWS exam when you feel ready — take as little or as much time as you need to prepare. 

Learn more about the on-demand AWS Solutions Architect training. 

AWS Solutions Architect certification comparisons and alternatives

The AWS Solutions Architect certification is only one of the many certifications that AWS offers or are available through other vendors. Here is how it compares to these seemingly similar certifications: 

AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate vs. Professional

The Associate certification validates your foundational knowledge for designing secure and scalable solutions on AWS. The Professional certifications elevate your expertise, focusing on complex enterprise deployments, migration strategies and cost optimization. Aim for the professional certification after gaining experience to solidify your advanced architect skills or take our AWS Security Engineer Boot Camp to dive deeper into security on the AWS platform. 

AWS Certified Solutions Architect vs. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator

The solutions architect designs the blueprint, while the sysops administrator meticulously builds, manages and monitors the cloud infrastructure. Think of the architect as the visionary and the sysops administrator as the builder and remember that both are crucial for a successful cloud environment. Learn more about getting your AWS Certified SysOps Administrator certification with the AWS Cloud Operations Boot Camp.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect vs. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer

There's a strong overlap here but with a subtle difference. The solutions architect prioritizes designing the overall cloud solution, while the DevOps engineer focuses on automating infrastructure provisioning, testing and deployment using DevOps practices. Both roles work together to ensure an efficient and agile cloud development lifecycle. Learn more about becoming an AWS Certified DevOps Engineer with the AWS Developer Engineer Boot Camp.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect vs. Microsoft Azure Administrator

These certifications cater to two different cloud platforms: AWS and Microsoft Azure, respectively. An AWS Solutions architect designs and builds solutions, while the Azure administrator focuses on managing and maintaining Azure cloud environments. Earning certifications in both platforms broadens your skill set and makes you a valuable asset in a multi-cloud environment. Learn more about the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect vs. CompTIA Cloud+

The Cloud+ certification offers a vendor-neutral foundation in cloud concepts and best practices. The AWS Solutions Architect dives deeper into the specifics of designing, deploying and managing solutions on the AWS platform. Cloud+ provides you with a broader understanding, while the AWS Solutions Architect equips you with specialized AWS expertise. Learn more about the CompTIA Cloud+ certification.

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