AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate Certification
This blog post talks about AWS SAA-C03.
Introduction
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam is a certification exam that assesses a candidate's ability to design cloud solutions for AWS. The exam is part of the AWS Global Certification program and focuses on designing scalable, high-performing, cost-effective, and resilient cloud solutions. I passed the exam in Oct 2023.
Exam details
Why did I chose this?
I was interested in cloud related services and since AWS is one of the largest cloud providers, I felt that this is a good starting point. This was my second industry certification after Sec+, in the same month. A quick summary of the available certifications at AWS can be found here.
The foundational certs are great for people who are just breaking into cloud. However, if you're up for a challenge, I would recommend starting with Associate level certs. Look at the tips and trick section for more details on this!
Cost
The certification exam goes for $150 USD but I took advantage of their AWS Certified: Associate Challenge programme 1 which gave 50% off all associate certs. Thus I paid about 75 USD, which is around ~120 SGD after conversion and tax. This link may not always work as this was for 2024. I'm not too sure when this promotion started but its always at the tail end of the year, roughly starting from sept-oct period. Don't fret, there should be promotions at other times of the year too!
Study Materials
At that point in time, Sg citizens had access to Udemy Business which allowed me to enroll in Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate 2025 by Stephane Maarek. A quick google on any AWS-SAA study guides will tell you that Stephane Maarek's course is one of the most highly regarded. There are definitely alternatives but I highly recommend this course. Sign up for an AWS account too, for some hands on experience in the various services that are covered in SAA's exam. There should be free credits for new sign ups :).
Do not go into the exam blindly! Practice papers are a must. Udemy has some practice papers too. If you're looking for more practise and budget is not an issue, I would suggest purchasing papers from Tutorial Dojo 2.
Exam Details
An interesting thing to note is that not all exam questions are graded. You won't know which question is scored though, so just do your best. Heres a concise article to demystify your AWS Certification exam score 3. I won't explain too much into the exam format because its quite straight forward - your typical MCQs. You have the option to take it virtually, or at a test center as well.
Tips and Tricks
This section will be largely similar to my future posts of other AWS certifications.
1. After passing every AWS certification, you'll get a 50% coupon off your next exam. Use this wisely! Professional or Specialty certifications cost a hefty 300 USD each. For example, if you intend on taking those certs, use the 50% coupons from Associate / Foundational level certs. If you do not have a 50% off coupon but intend to take an advanced cert, you should consider taking any of the Associate / Foundational cert just to collect that coupon.
2. MCQs. Typically, an MCQ is 4 choose 1. However, there are 5 choose 2 and 6 choose 3 in the exam too. After multiple practice papers and exams, I realised that the questions and options are worded well. There are options that totally do not make sense at all - an easy way to strike out options and give you a better chance of getting the question correct. Read the question properly! It usually contains a clue that tells you exactly what is required.
Honest Opinions
At this price point, the certification is definitely worth it! The concepts that you have to learn in order to pass the exam are valuable and a good start if you want to further explore using AWS.