AWS is the most popular cloud provider and accounts for 31% market share. AWS certifications are highly sought after in the rapidly growing field of cloud computing. These certifications are very valuable for professionals who want to be promoted and receive high-paying IT jobs. They cover many subjects and validate certificate holders’ deep knowledge of specific aspects of cloud computing.
AWS certifications stand out because of their rigorousness and thoroughness in evaluating candidates’ skills. For organizations hiring cloud professionals, AWS certification is a way to validate their candidates’ knowledge and expertise in cloud architecture, management, security, and other best practices. As more companies shift their workloads on AWS, AWS cloud computing is becoming a core competency within the enterprise. And this opens up a huge opportunity for AWS certified professionals. In this article, I will talk about the best AWS certifications for beginners.
Which AWS Certifications are Best for Beginners?
AWS currently offers 11 certifications. These include a foundational certificate, three associate-level certificates, two professional-level certificates, and five specialty certificates.
Let’s take a closer glance at AWS certifications which are best for beginners. I will be covering the top AWS certifications for 2022.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner – Foundational
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification has become one of the most sought-after certifications in cloud computing. Cloud adoption is increasing at an ever-increasing pace, and there is a shortage of skilled staff, which is driving up the importance of cloud certifications. Employees in all areas of the company need to comprehend the cloud value proposition and its potential for driving business value. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification serves as the foundational certification for Amazon Web Services. It is an entry-level certification validates a candidate’s knowledge of AWS Cloud. It is where you’ll start. This certification is required to obtain AWS Specialty or Associate certification. It is intended for people who are just beginning in Amazon AWS and want to learn the basics of AWS.
Unlike other AWS certifications, this exam is not focused on one technical role. This certification covers four areas: cloud concepts, security, and compliance, technology, billing, and pricing. You can become an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner to gain a basic understanding of the AWS cloud infrastructure. It will teach you how to describe the AWS cloud infrastructure’s architecture principles, financial value, and security features. The Cloud Practitioner exam doesn’t test your technical skills in cloud computing. This certification is an excellent option for entry-level professionals who want to earn a solid salary.
AWS provides free webinars, test preparation materials, and a practice exam to help test takers prepare. Amazon also offers a digital preparation course. The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam has 65 questions. Cloud Practitioner questions are not scenario-based, unlike the associate and professional level certifications. All questions follow the AWS format (one answer from four options and two responses from five options). It is a good idea to be familiar with the format, style, and type of the AWS exam. Students can either take the exam online or they can go to the test center on test day.
Pros:
- Only minimal AWS technical knowledge required
- AWS Exam is the most accessible and most affordable
Cons:
- It may not be as helpful for those who have significant or technical AWS experience.
- Specialized training is not offered.
Format: Multiple choice & Multiple response questions
Length: 90 minutes
Cost: 100 USD
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification is for associate-level professionals who work in solutions architect roles. This certification is suitable for newcomers to AWS and cloud computing and experienced IT professionals. You will need to be able to design and implement reliable and secure distributed systems using AWS technologies to pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam (SAA-C02).
You should aim for the AWS certified solutions architect-associate certification if you want to make a career out of cloud computing. AWS CSAA certification has been regarded as one of the most valuable IT certifications. This certification will assist you in getting started with cloud computing and can be used as a starting point for other AWS certifications.
A solid knowledge of AWS core services and the AWS platform is required for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam. This certification requires that candidates have at least one year of experience with AWS. In addition, candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of AWS infrastructure, network technologies, and security features. Preparing for the AWS CSAA certificate, you will learn the basics of AWS architecture principles and services, including IAM, S3, Cloudfront, and Storage Gateway. AWS provides a free exam guide and sample questions to help you prepare for this certification. AWS also offers a two-hour exam preparation course covering exam format and providing study tips.
The SAA C02 exam is a multiple-choice examination with 65 questions. The exam can be taken in a testing center or online. It takes 130 minutes. The passing score is 72%. You can request accommodation for your exam if English is not your first language. This will allow you to take an extra 30 minutes exam extension.
Pros:
- Provides a strong foundation in AWS cloud computing
- Less challenging than Solutions Architect – Professional certification
Cons:
- Lower salary than Solutions Architect – Professional
- Less focused than other associate-level exams
Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-response
Time: 130 minutes
Cost: 150 USD
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification demonstrates associate-level experience in managing, deploying, and operating workloads using AWS. AWS SysOps administrator is the most difficult of all the associate certifications. This certification is great recognition for anyone looking to work with AWS technologies in a SysOps or DevOps role. Exam labs and multiple-choice questions are part of the new SOA-C02 exam. You’ll need to practice for the hands-on labs, which test your knowledge of AWS.
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification validates that you have a solid understanding of AWS architecture. This certification is beneficial to anyone who uses AWS. This exam is the only certification aimed at system administrators. It requires technical knowledge and conceptual understanding of the AWS platform. Experience as a Linux administrator or Windows administrator is an advantage. SysOps certification exams are the same price as AWS associate exams. Its value lies in its utility, especially for those who are planning to pursue AWS professional certifications. SysOps is widely considered to be the most difficult associate exam offered by AWS. Although it’s not required, becoming an AWS Certified Sysops Administrator might make it easier to tackle the more demanding professional exams.
This certification is the most distinguishing among the three associate certificates. The SysOps Administrator certification will help you stand out and get you the job you want. AWS Certified SysOps certification requires candidates to have at least one year of AWS experience. You can prepare for the exam online or in person by looking at the resources available on AWS’s site, including digital training, webinars, an exam readiness course, and practice questions.
The SOA C02 exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and three exam labs. The exam can be taken in a testing center or online. Your exam takes 180 minutes. The passing score is 72%. You can request accommodation for your exam if English is not your first language. This will allow you to take an extra 30-minute exam extension.
Pros
- Professional certifications can be achieved with good preparation for this certification.
- This is a useful resource for anyone who uses AWS applications
Cons
- New exam format includes challenging lab items
- This is the most difficult exam for associates
Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, and Exam lab. Exam labs contain a scenario that is composed of a set of tasks to perform in the AWS Management Console or AWS CLI
Time: 180 minutes
Cost: 150 USD
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
AWS Certified Developer Associate certification, one of three associate-level AWS certifications. AWS Certified Developer tests your knowledge of the key services and tools used by developers to create AWS applications. AWS Certified Developer is a certification that allows you to develop and maintain AWS-based apps. This certification is for those who have at least one year of experience in developing and maintaining AWS-based apps.
The Associate exam for AWS Certified Developer focuses on developing and maintaining AWS-based apps. You’ll need to create actual code to access AWS services from within your business applications. If you are a cloud computing expert with AWS, the AWS Certified Developer Associate certification is a great place to start. The AWS Certified Developer Associate certificate shows your knowledge of AWS services, architecture, and best practices. It was the highest-paid certification worldwide in 2021. This certificate was worth an average $159,767 per year.
AWS offers several courses to help you prepare for the Certified Developer exam. These include AWS Technical Essentials and Developing on AWS. You can also download practice questions and study materials. These are the skills that have been validated by AWS Certified Developer certification:
- A working knowledge of the AWS architecture, core AWS services, uses, and best practices
- Expertise in cloud-based applications, including debugging and deployment using AWS.
65 multiple-choice questions and multiple selection questions make up the DVA-C01 exam. It is scenario-based and takes 130 minutes. If English is not your first language, you can request accommodation. This will enable you to extend your exam by 30 minutes. You can take the exam in a testing center or online.
Pros
- Anyone who uses AWS is able to use it.
- This is a great first choice for those who want to pursue more certifications.
Cons
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification in higher demand
Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-response
Time: 130 minutes
Cost: 150 USD
Final Thoughts
AWS certification shows you have the most valuable (and profitable!) skills, as validated by one of the most prominent entities in cloud computing. It also demonstrates cloud expertise which can accelerate time to value for cloud projects. The best way to choose an AWS certification is to understand which one supports your career goals the best. Consider the complexity of each exam since it may be possible to advance your career by doing a certification exam that’s easier to pass than one that’s more difficult.
The Solutions Architect – Associate certification is our choice for the best AWS cloud certification overall. It is the most popular certification offered by AWS and provides a solid foundation in AWS cloud computing. IT professionals with this certificate are also among the highest earners in the industry.
