All About AWS Certification You Should Know

If you’re currently in the profession of cloud computing or planning to build your career in the same, certification is an eccentric key to the AWS platform. AWS is becoming the gold caliber of the cloud. Currently, AWS store offers ten certifications which will open many doors and it sets you apart from other candidates. In this post, we are going to cover- types of certifications, cost of certifications, the significance of certifications and job roles associated with it.

AWS Certification

• Types
• Cost
• Significance
• Job roles

Before diving deep into the cost and other factors of AWS certification, let us understand the terminology of these digital badges.

Practitioner – Certified Cloud Practitioner

This examination is for aspiring individuals who have enough knowledge and skills to demonstrate an overall working of the AWS cloud. AWS certified cloud practitioner certification is recommended to any individual or an operational start towards Associate certification.

Candidature

The certification exam validates an examinee’s propensity to-

• Define account management, billing, and pricing
• Describe fundamental cloud architectural principles of AWS
• Recognize sources of technical assistance or documentation of AWS
• Define basic security of the AWS platform
• Describing core characteristics of establishing and operating in the AWS cloud 

Associate – Certified Developer Associate

This examination is for aspiring individuals who perform the role of developer and have more than one year of hands-on experience in the AWS development and maintenance of applications.

Candidature

• Bespeak proficiency in development, deployment and debugging of cloud-based applications
• Bespeak basic understanding of AWS services, architecture and uses of AWS practices

Pre-requisites

• In-depth knowledge of at least one high-level programming language
• Proficiency in developing, debugging and deploying cloud-based applications using Amazon Web Services
• Understanding best practices of AWS architecture
• Capability to identify key features of AWS
• Capability to interact with AWS
• Capability to author, debug and maintain code modules in AWS
• Proficient in writing code for serverless applications

Associate – Certified Solutions Architect

This examination is for individuals who perform the role of solutions architect. This examination demonstrates how to architect and implement robust and secure applications using AWS technologies.

Candidature

• Specify solution using architectural design based on the requirements of the customer
• Furnish best practices based on the guidance throughout the cycle of the project

Pre-requisites

• In-depth knowledge of building secure and reliable applications on AWS platform
• Hands-on experience with AWS implementation and management services
• Hands-on experience of using networking, computing, database and storage of AWS services
• One year or more hands-on experience in designing fault-tolerant and cost-efficient distributed systems on AWS
• Knowledge of network technologies based on AWS

Associate – Certified SysOps Administrator

This Associate level examination is for the individuals having one or two years of experience as a System Administrator in a system operations role.

Candidature

• Identify suitable use of best practices of AWS operations
• Implement and control the flow of data from AWS
• Implement, manage and operate the highly available system on AWS
• Implement, manage and operate the fault-tolerant system on AWS

Pre-requisites

• AWS Knowledge
  • At least one-year of hands-on experience in AWS
  • Understanding AWS architecture for the cloud
  • Experience with AWS CLI and SDK’s/API tools
  • Understanding AWS security concepts
• IT Knowledge
  • 1-2 years of experience as a System Administrator (System operations role)
  • Understanding of Virtualization
  • Monitoring and inspecting system
  • Understanding of the concepts of networking (e.g. TCP/IP, DNS, and firewalls)

Professional – Certified DevOps Engineer

This Advanced level examination is for the individuals having technical expertise in operating, furnishing and managing the distributing system on the AWS platform. This examination is for the candidates who perform DevOps Engineer role.

Candidature

• Execute and manage the uninterrupted delivery system on AWS
• Execute and robotize security controls, compliance validation, and governance process
• Define, execute and maintain tools to robotize operational processes

Pre-requisites

• Two or more hands-on experience in operating, managing and allocating AWS environment
• Expertise in building effectively automated infrastructures
• Expertise in supervising operating systems

Professional – Certified Solutions Architect

This Advanced level examination is for the individuals who perform the Solutions Architect role. This examination is valid for the candidates having advanced technical skills and designing distributed systems on the AWS platform.

Candidature

• Deploy cost-control strategies
• Design and implement enterprise operations on AWS

Pre-requisites

• At least two or more years of experience in designing and implementing cloud architecture on AWS
• Amity with at least one scripting language
• Amity with Linux and Windows environments
• Experience of best practices on the architectural design of enterprise’s multiple applications and projects

Expertise – Certified Security

This expert level examination is for cloud security professionals based on the AWS platform.

Read: How to Create and Activate an AWS Account?

Candidature

• Basic understanding of security operations and risks
• Basic knowledge of AWS security services and feature services to provide a reliable production environment
• A capability of trade-off decisions account to security, cost, and implementation
• Basic understanding of data encryption methods
• Basic understanding of Internet protocols and AWS mechanisms to execute them

Pre-requisites

• At least five years of experience in IT security
• At least two years of experience in AWS security

Expertise – Certified Big Data

This expert level examination is for the professionals who perform complex analysis of Big Data.

Candidature

• Design and sustain Big Data
• Implement core Big Data services

Pre-requisites

• At least five years of experience in the field of Big Data
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate level certification

Expertise – Certified Advanced Networking

This expert level examination is for professionals who perform complex networking tasks.

Candidature

• Design and sustain cloud-based solutions
• Experience to robotize AWS networking tasks
• Design and maintain network architecture

Pre-requisites

• At least five years of experience in the field of Networking and related technologies
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Associate level certification
• Knowledge of advanced concepts of Networking and related technologies

Expertise – Certified Machine Learning

This Associate level examination is for the individuals who have the capability to design, implement and maintain machine learning solutions for the business problems.

Candidature

• Choose and justify Machine learning approach for a business problem.
• Design, implement and deploy machine learning secure and scalable solutions

Pre-requisites

• At least one to two years of experience in architecting and developing machine learning on AWS cloud
• Ability to perform machine learning algorithms
• Ability to perform Machine Learning frameworks
• Ability to follow operational best practices

Certification Categories

AWS certifications are divided into 5 categories.

• Architecting- People with these certifications are recognized as professionals who design and deploy systems on AWS platform. Candidates looking for these certifications may start from AWS Solutions Architect (Associate level) and budge up to Professional level.
• Developing- People with these certifications are identified as developers who develop and maintain AWS applications. Candidates looking for these certifications may start from AWS Certified Developer (Associate level) and move up to AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – (Professional level).
• Operations- People with these certifications support architecture and development of the AWS platform. SysOps and DevOps are tightly bound in this category. Candidates looking for these certifications may start from AWS Certified DevOps Engineer and proceed for Professional level.
• Cloud- People with these certifications mainly focus on cloud technologies, concepts, and security associated with it. The Certified Cloud Practitioner serves as a proviso to the AWS specialty certifications.
• Specialty- The people with AWS specialty credentials mainly focus on skills related to particular technologies including big data, security, networking, and machine learning.

Learn AWS from beginner to advanced levels 

AWS offers 10 certifications in total which are divided into 4 tiers-

The Truth about Cost of AWS Certifications

When we hear or plan about certification, one question always strike our mind regarding the overall cost of certification we are planning. Are there any hidden charges? What will be the examination cost? Are there any mock tests available? What will be the validity of certification? How it will affect my career? Etc.  Allow us to answer all your queries related to certification in Amazon Web Services. Keep reading this blog post to get your answers.

AWS Certification Cost in India

S.No.	Level	Certification	Cost
1	Practitioner	Certified Cloud Practitioner	Rs. 7140/-
2	Associate	Certified Developer Associate	Rs. 10710/-
3		Certified Solutions Architect Associate	Rs. 10710/-
4		Certified SysOps Administrator Associate	Rs. 10710/-
5	Professional	Certified DevOps Engineer	Rs. 21420/-
6		Certified Solutions Architect Professional	Rs. 21420/-
7	Expert	Certified Security	Rs. 21420/-
8		Certified Big Data	Rs. 21420/-
9		Certified Advanced Networking	Rs. 21420/-
10		Certified Machine Learning	Rs. 21420/-

AWS Certification Cost in the USA

S.No.	Level	Certification	Cost
1	Practitioner	Certified Cloud Practitioner	$100
2	Associate	Certified Developer Associate	$150
3		Certified Solutions Architect Associate	$150
4		Certified SysOps Administrator Associate	$150
5	Professional	Certified DevOps Engineer	$300
6		Certified Solutions Architect Professional	$300
7	Expert	Certified Security	$300
8		Certified Big Data	$300
9		Certified Advanced Networking	$300
10		Certified Machine Learning	$300

Total cost

Exam- $150 to $300

Online course- $250 Get 20% scholarship on AWS Live Online Training

Mock test- $25

Total- $425 to $575

Everything you want to know about AWS Certification

Exam Format

Certifications of all levels of AWS come in the same format that is, one question at a time. When questions are presented in front of you, you will have several options available, such as-

“Mark for later”. Once you go through all of the questions, the AWS examination system will display a list of every question that you’ve already answered. Each question will show the option you selected. The question “marked for later” shall be displayed with an asterisk shown next to it. At this level, you have the opportunity to revisit the questions quickly that you have skipped or to recheck your answers.

Test Environment

Read: Is the AWS Big Data Certification Worth It?

You can view a list of available test centers around the world and schedule your exam by visiting the AWS Training and Certification official website. You are required to show two personal identification proofs for the admission to the examination center. Primary identification proof can be government issued driving license or passport and secondary identification include a debit card or other personal identification proof.

The testing area may be subjected to inspection; therefore, except a pen and pencil, you are not allowed to take anything inside the examination area.

After the Examination

The system will display your results on the screen immediately, after pursuing the exam. Statistics based methods are used by AWS to determine your results. Therefore, there is no passing score in AWS as they are subjected to change. If you need to retake the exam, you can do so after 14 days. But, if you pass then within 72 hours of passing your exam, you will receive an e-certificate with AWS certified logo printed on it, and a digital badge in your certification of AWS account. Digital badges may be used or shared on your social media or professional networks including LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. Transcript of your examination results will be accessible on your AWS account within five business days of completing the examination.

You will have to pay the complete amount while attempting the exam for the first time or if you have to retake the test (in case of failure in the previous attempt of an exam). Although, when you apply for recertification, you get a discount of 50% from AWS which can be availed through discount voucher under the benefits section of AWS. Amazon Web Services provides return policy and a reward that it provides is just a win-win situation.

Languages available for the examination

• English
• Japanese
• Simplified Chinese
• Korean

Know more about levels of AWS examination-

A). Practitioner Level

Exam duration: 90 minutes

Exam format: Multiple Choice Type Questions

Difficulty level: Easy to Medium

Experience required: 6 months of fundamentals in the cloud industry 

B). Associate Level

Exam duration: 130 minutes

Practice exam registration fee: 20 USD

Exam registration fee: 150 USD

Exam format: Multiple Choice Type Questions

Difficulty level: Medium to High

Experience required: One year of problem-solving and implementing solutions in the cloud industry

C). Professional Level

Exam duration: 170 minutes

Practice exam registration fee: 40 USD

Exam registration fee: 300 USD

Read: Top 15 AWS Solution Architect Interview Questions and Answers for 2020

Exam format: Multiple Choice Type Questions

Difficulty level: Medium to High

Experience required: Two years of comprehensive experience in designing, operating and troubleshooting solutions in the cloud industry 

D). Expert Level

Exam duration: 170 minutes

Exam registration fee: 300 USD

Exam format: Multiple Choice Type Questions

Difficulty level: High

Experience required: 2-5 years in deep technical experience associated with specialty domain in the cloud industry

The Significance of AWS certification

AWS provides services like- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

IaaS- Cloud infrastructure services will take care of the power supply and backup of your services.

PaaS- Cloud platform services will take care of binaries of applications by providing services based on PHP, Java, Perl, Ruby, etc.

SaaS- Cloud software services have got software that is dedicated to particular tasks such as queuing emails and email sending.

Conclusion

There are two pathways to get your AWS Certification Training

Do it Yourself

If you want to learn AWS at your own pace, then you can follow the steps below:

• Set up your AWS certification account
• Schedule your exams
• Become AWS savvy
• But What Next?

Do it with Us

• Meet our AWS Consultants
• Sign up for the next training available
• Get hands-on training from our Ninjas
• Pass your exam and get certified
• Take your career to the next level

In order to ensure that professionals keep their skills edged and up to date, AWS certification holders require to recertify every two years. This means, taking the recertification exam for the certification you hold currently. Authorized holders are eligible for 50% discount voucher for recertification exam.

Prepare yourself for AWS certification

If you are already familiar with the concepts of AWS then you only need to pay the examination fee and believe me! 99.9% of people follow this approach. All you need here is a fusion of learning, revision and practice exams. You can take mock tests available on the internet.

Amazon is constantly adding more features and services to AWS to stay updated with the rapid growth of technology evolving in the market of the cloud. Recertification of AWS consists of next level certification that is, from Practitioner to Expert level.

You can browse self-paced training courses available on the internet matching AWS certifications and related to the other IT paths. You must also be aware of the competitors of AWS that is, IBM cloud, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and OpenStack. Do not get confused among competitors. Just focus on the company you want to opt for the effective growth of your career. These kinds of certification programs help IT professionals to prove their worth and improve their skills to design, implement and maintain these demanding solutions. So, Jump start your career in the IT industry and prove your worth. Happy Blogging!