AWS Certified Solutions Architect 23-12-2024

Can You Take AWS Solution Architect Professional Exam Directly?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is one of the most well-known in the field if you want to advance your career in cloud computing. The top cloud computing platform is AWS or Amazon Web Services. As well as its certifications have strong credibility in the computer sector. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification comes in two levels: Associate and Professional.  The question, "Can I take the AWS Solution Architect Professional exam directly, without first passing the Associate-level exam?" often occurs for those who seek to move on to a professional level.

Let’s explore this question and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the AWS certification structure, the differences between the AWS Solution Architect Associate and AWS Solution Architect Professional exams, the costs involved, and the best path forward to pass the professional exam.

Understanding the AWS Solution Architect Certifications

Before diving into whether you can directly take the AWS Solution Architect Professional exam, it is important to understand the structure of AWS certifications. So, AWS certifications are divided into four primary levels:

  1. Foundational
  2. Associate
  3. Professional
  4. Specialty

Hence, The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification falls under the Associate and Professional levels.  Let’s look at both of these certifications in more detail.

AWS Solution Architect Associate

Those who are just starting with AWS are the target audience for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam. Thus, it evaluates your ability to create and implement reliable, adaptable, and highly functional systems on AWS. 

Your understanding of the following will be examined:

  • Creating sustainable architectures
  • Specifying efficient architectures
  • Outlining safe architectures and applications
  • Creating cost-effective structures
  • Identifying operationally excellent architectures

Hence, this certification is regarded as a prerequisite for anyone desiring to develop into more complex AWS architecture responsibilities. Professionals who have a basic understanding of cloud computing concepts and AWS services would find it suitable. 

 

AWS Solution Architect Professional

An advanced credential designed for experienced professionals with an advanced knowledge of AWS architecture is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Professional exam. This certification tests your ability to build, implement, and manage complex AWS solutions, demanding more than just knowledge with AWS services. You must show proficiency in the following areas: 

  • Developing and implementing highly available, reliable, dependable, and dynamically scalable applications
  • Creating and executing scalable enterprise-wide operations
  • Moving multi-tiered, complex apps to AWS
  • Creating and putting into practice cost-effective architectures

You can show your ability to tackle challenging AWS architectural challenges and to construct large-scale, intricate solutions by passing the Professional-level test. 

Can You Take the AWS Solution Architect Professional Exam Directly?

The short answer is no. AWS recommends that you take the AWS Solution Architect Associate exam before attempting the AWS Solution Architect Professional exam.

While there is no formal requirement stating that you must pass the Associate-level exam first. AWS strongly suggests that you have hands-on experience with AWS and a thorough understanding of the fundamentals covered in the Associate exam. The Associate exam provides foundational knowledge that is crucial for tackling the more complex and intricate questions on the Professional exam.

Here’s why it’s a good idea to take the Associate exam first:

  1. The Associate Exam Covers Core Concepts: 

The Associate exam focuses on fundamental topics such as networking, security, and storage on AWS. These concepts serve as the building blocks for more advanced topics in the Professional exam.

  1. Professional Exam is More Complex: 

The Professional exam is designed to test your ability to work on advanced, real-world AWS solutions. It assumes that you already have a strong grasp of the foundational knowledge from the Associate exam.

  1. Practical Experience Matters: 

The AWS Professional-level exams test your ability to apply real-world AWS knowledge. Passing the Associate exam first allows you to gain the practical experience needed to succeed at the Professional level.

AWS Certification Cost: What You Need to Know

While the decision to take the AWS Solution Architect Associate or Professional exam is an important one, it’s also essential to understand the AWS certification cost.

AWS Certification Cost Breakdown:

  • The Associate Exam for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect is USD 150.
  • The cost of the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Exam is USD 300.

Additionally, if you wish to retake an exam, there are retake fees, so it’s advisable to be fully prepared before scheduling the test. You should also consider the costs for any study materials, courses, or practice exams you may need to prepare for the test.

AWS Solution Architect Professional Exam Preparation

Whether you take the Associate exam first or dive directly into the Professional exam (after gaining some practical AWS experience), preparation is key to passing these challenging exams. To help you succeed, try some of this advice:

1. Understand the Exam Blueprint

Firstly, AWS provides a detailed exam guide and blueprint for both the Associate and Professional exams. Make sure to download and thoroughly review these documents, as they list the key topics and domains you will be tested on. Understanding the scope of the exam will allow you to focus your study efforts.

2. Hands-On Practice

Secondly, Experience is necessary. The Professional exam tests your ability to apply AWS concepts in real-world scenarios, so hands-on practice is essential. Spend time using AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, and Lambda to gain a deeper understanding of how to configure and manage AWS environments.

3. Use AWS Training and Resources

Then, AWS offers a range of training courses, including free digital training and paid instructor-led courses. For those pursuing Professional certification, AWS also offers a Solutions Architect Professional-level learning path, which can be an excellent resource.

4. Join a Study Group

Moreover, there are many online communities, forums, and study groups where aspiring AWS professionals gather to share resources, tips, and advice. Joining these groups can provide additional insights and help you stay motivated.

5. Take Practice Exams

Furthermore, AWS offers official practice exams for both the Associate and Professional-level certifications. These exams simulate the real test environment and give you a good idea of the types of questions you’ll encounter. Use practice exams to assess your readiness and identify areas where you need improvement.

6. Review the Whitepapers and FAQs

Finally, AWS provides a wealth of whitepapers and FAQs that cover best practices, architecture guidelines, and service details. These resources are invaluable in helping you understand the nuances of AWS services and the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

Conclusion

Therefore, AWS advises acquiring the fundamental knowledge from the AWS Solution Architect Associate certification, even if it is possible to attempt the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional test without first completing the Associate-level exam. Thus, By preparing you for the more difficult subjects and real-world problems in the Professional test, the Associate-level exam makes sure you're ready to handle AWS architectural problems in the real world. One effective approach to show off your knowledge and develop your cloud computing profession is through the AWS certification path. It does, however, require thorough planning, practical experience, and a firm understanding of fundamental AWS concepts. 

However, If you're looking for expert guidance on your certification journey, Cert Solution can help. Whether you're starting with the AWS Solution Architect Associate or targeting the AWS Solution Architect Professional exam, Cert Solution offers tailored training and resources to ensure your success. Build a strong AWS foundation and set yourself up for career advancement in the cloud computing industry with Cert Solution.