How I Came to Know About the Certification

I’ve always been fascinated by architectural diagrams in blog posts and YouTube videos, but I struggled to understand them. That curiosity led me to explore AWS architecture in depth. Since I had already cleared the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam, I decided to take the next step and go for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification.

If you haven't read my AWS Cloud Practitioner blog, I highly recommend checking it out here before diving into this one.

This certification helped me understand AWS services, architectural best practices, and how to build scalable, resilient cloud systems.

Why I Chose to Do This Certification

AWS is the cloud leader, and understanding its architecture is key for any cloud professional. Here’s what I learned:

✅ Deep Dive into AWS Services – I explored over 50 AWS services, their use cases, and how they fit into cloud solutions.

✅ Architecting Scalable & Resilient Systems – The certification emphasizes designing secure, high-performing, and cost-efficient architectures.

✅ Practical Hands-On Learning – I got hands-on experience deploying applications, setting up databases, and optimizing workloads in AWS.

For me, it was all about learning how to build efficient, scalable cloud solutions, not just passing the exam.

AWS Solutions Architect – Associate Exam Structure

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA) exam consists of:

📌 Exam Duration: 130 minutes
📌 Questions: 65 (Multiple Choice & Multiple Response)
📌 Passing Score: 720/1000
📌 Cost: $150 USD
📌 Validity: 3 years

Content Breakdown:

Designing Resilient Architectures – 30%
Designing High-Performing Architectures – 28%
Designing Secure Applications & Architectures – 24%
Cost-Optimized Architectures – 18%

This exam is more challenging than Cloud Practitioner because it involves real-world architecture scenarios, but with the right strategy, it’s manageable.

My 2-Month Study Strategy

💡 Disclaimer: I had a full-time 9-to-5 job with a hectic schedule, and I’m a slow learner. It took me 2 months, but I’ve seen people clear it in a month. It depends on your learning speed and time commitment.

Step 1: Best Video Course (Hands-on Learning)

📌 Peace of Code YouTube Playlist – Watch Here

This playlist was a game-changer for me! It includes:
✔️ Detailed Hands-on Labs – Deploying AWS services
✔️ 500-600 Practice Questions – Based on past exam patterns
✔️ Clear Explanations of AWS Concepts

Step 2: Best Notes & Study Guide

📌 GitHub Notes Repository – Check It Here

This GitHub repository contains well-structured notes covering:
✔️ AWS services breakdown
✔️ Key architectural patterns
✔️ Common exam topics & FAQs

Step 3: Read AWS Blogs & Architecture Examples

AWS real-world architecture case studies help understand scalability & fault tolerance.
📌 Just Google: "AWS architecture best practices", and you’ll find some golden resources.

Final Words & Certification Badge

This exam was an amazing learning experience for me! The knowledge I gained can be applied in real-world projects, making it totally worth it.

Here’s what your certification will look like:
My AWS Solutions Architect Badge

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🚀 Best of luck with your AWS certification journey!

How I Cleared AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate in 2 Months