Hi! I am Patrick Jun L Pineda, a graduate of BS I.T and I’m excited to share how I passed the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. A few months ago, I was new to AWS, but once I discovered the power and potential of cloud computing, I became hooked.

AWS opened my eyes to a whole new world of opportunities, and I was determined to get certified, even without prior experience. In this blog, I’ll walk you through my study journey, the resources that fueled my passion, and the tips that helped me pass the exam. If you’re as excited about AWS as I am, this post will show you how you can achieve your certification goals, too!

What is AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is an entry-level exam designed for individuals who are new to cloud computing and AWS. It’s an excellent starting point for anyone looking to build foundational knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and cloud concepts. This certification provides a broad understanding of AWS services, key cloud concepts, and AWS architectural principles, making it an ideal first step for beginners in the cloud space.

Why I Chose to Get Certified
I was relatively new to AWS when I decided to pursue this certification. I wanted a foundational understanding of cloud computing and AWS to help me in my career. After researching the available certifications, I found that the Cloud Practitioner exam was the perfect starting point.

My Study Plan

I started studying for the exam about 4 weeks before my test date. Here’s how I structured my study plan:

• Week 1: Focused on core AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS).

• Week 2: Studied pricing models and billing practices.

• Week 3: Focused on security, compliance, and the global AWS infrastructure.

• Week 4: Do some practice test.

Study Materials & Resources

• AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials : A free resource provided by AWS, this gave me a solid understanding of the basics.

• [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 2025: Their courses are incredibly well-structured and beginner-friendly.

• Practice Exams:

  • Tutorials Dojo - is a learning portal that offers educational resources for technology-related topics. It provides tutorials, practice tests, certification reviewers, and other resources to help students and professionals improve their skills and advance their careers

  • Awslagi.com - a website that offers free practice exams and courses to help people prepare for cloud certification exam.

Key Topics Covered

• AWS Global Infrastructure: Regions, Availability Zones, and edge locations.

• Core AWS Services: EC2, S3, RDS, IAM, VPC, etc.

• AWS Pricing & Billing: Understanding AWS pricing models, Free Tier, billing, cost optimization, etc.

• Security & Compliance: Shared responsibility model, AWS security tools, compliance programs.

• AWS Cloud Concepts: Basic cloud computing terms, deployment models (public, private, hybrid cloud), and AWS Cloud Adoption Framework.

AWS Exam Guide - AWS-Certified-Cloud-Practitioner_Exam-Guide.pdf

Where I take the exam?

I booked my exam at a Pearson VUE testing center because I feel more comfortable taking the exam in person rather than online, and this helps me avoid any potential technical issues that could lead to my exam being forfeited.
here’s the link: AWS Certification | AWS Training & Certification

Exam Day

On exam day, I made sure to get enough sleep the night before. This helped me stay focused and alert during the exam. I also took my time to read each question carefully to ensure I fully understood what was being asked. After finishing the exam, I received my results immediately, and I was thrilled to see that I had passed the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam! I’m now officially certified. Shortly after, Pearson VUE also emailed me with instructions on how to claim my badge on Credly.

https://www.credly.com/badges/7093bfcc-0ac9-41b3-a710-b64229e1e35f/public_url

My Final Thoughts

Achieving the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a great way to get started with cloud computing. It provides a strong foundation in AWS services, pricing, and security, making it ideal for IT professionals, business leaders, or anyone new to the cloud. Plus, after passing the exam, you'll receive a 50% discount on your next AWS certification. It's an excellent first step toward advancing your cloud career and saving on future certifications.