For years, AWS Training and Certification has offered free, on-demand courses, as well as live in-person and virtual classes, to help you and your team learn new cloud skills and services when and where it’s convenient for you. AWS digital and virtual classroom trainings are an ideal way for learners who are unable to travel or prefer to take AWS training online.
How to start your AWS Training & Certification journey?
Starting your AWS (Amazon Web Services) Training & Certification journey can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Here are some steps you can take to get started:
- Identify your learning objectives: Before starting your AWS training, you need to identify your learning objectives. This includes understanding what AWS services you want to work with and what level of expertise you want to achieve. This will help you to choose the right training path and certification that best suits your needs.
- Solution options available for learning are - Advanced Networking, Data Analytics, Databases, AWS for Games, Machine Learning, Media Services, Security, Serverless, Storage
- Expertise levels available are - Foundational, Associate, Professional & Specialty
- Choose your training path: AWS offers different training paths, including cloud practitioners, architect, developer, operations, and specialty. Each path has a different level of difficulty and requires a different set of skills. Choose the path that aligns with your learning objectives.
- Enroll in training courses: AWS offers various training courses, including classroom training, online training, and virtual training. You can choose the one that best suits your schedule and budget. AWS training courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to work with AWS services.
- AWS Skill Builder is an online learning center where you can learn from AWS experts and build cloud skills online.
- Practice with AWS services: Once you have completed your training, you can start practicing with AWS services. AWS offers a free tier that allows you to use its services for free for a limited period. You can use this opportunity to gain practical experience with AWS services.
- Get certified: AWS offers various certifications that validate your skills and expertise in working with AWS services.
Below are the certifications available in AWS
- Foundational Level - Cloud Practitioner
- Associate Level - Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps Administrator
- Professional Level - Solution Architect Professional, DevOps Engineer Professional
- Specialty Level - Advanced Networking, Data Analytics, Database, Machine Learning, Security, SAP on AWS
How I Got AWS Certified
Last year, I attained my AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate . I am fresher and it was the first certification of my IT career and I've learned a lot from the entire experience. While researching the certification, I came across lot of articles stating how to get certified in X number of days and I found those highly misleading.
And now for the details of exactly how to go about AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam preparation even if you do not have any experience or AWS training.
Know your Experience and Develop a Roadmap
Do consider the amount of time you have spent using AWS. I started with no experience and spent around 7 – 8 hours learning the basics. In case you’re more comfortable with AWS, I would still suggest you to devote 3 – 4 hours brushing the basics.
Finding the right training course/material
Here is a link to all the exam guides and resources available by AWS. I would recommend you to go through AWS white papers. They are very precise.
In addition to these, you can also check out any online course of your choice. With multiple options out there to choose from, picking training courses can be a daunting process.
How to pick one :
- Style/ Format - Go through the structure of the course and make sure it matches your style. You can check the course ratings and reviews to ensure if course provides hands on training examples.
- Practical Knowledge - Make sure your course provides real-world scenarios example because the AWS certification exam does a great job of having questions based on practical knowledge.
Practical Implementation gave me good exposure to how AWS is being used and exposed me to services that I may not have studied. Don’t forget the whole point of getting certified is to gain knowledge to help you, not to have a badge you can show off.
You can create a AWS account to implement the same. One can create a free account but you would be charged after reaching free usage limits. Make sure you use it wisely!!!
- Up to date - AWS courses keep updating their syllabus very frequently and it is important to verify if the course is fully updated or not.
- Depth and Scope - Go through the course ratings and reviews and check if it covers all the exam topics well.
Once you have gathered all the resources, it’s time to get started! Ensure to set aside some time regularly dedicated to learning and stick to your plan.
Take practice exams
AWS offers practice tests in a timed environment to help you familiarize with the pattern and exam environment. I would highly recommend you to go through it. In order to pass the exam, one needs to clear sectional cut-off along with overall cut-off.
Once you feel confident about your preparation, it is time to book your exam and ace it!!
Registering for the certification is quite straight forward. You need to follow the instructions in the AWS Certification page.
How to set the right environment for your exam at home
AWS exams are very strictly monitored. You need to keep an ID handy while giving the exam and if you are taking exams from your home, it is very important that nothing interrupts you and there is no movement or noise in the room when you are taking the exam. If you have pets make sure they are in a different room.
After you have done that, make sure that neither your family or friends will interrupt you during that time. If you have ANY interruptions you will fail automatically. You will be asked to give an entire scan of your room, your sleeves should be rolled up, no watches are allowed and you cannot go to washroom in between as well. Also if you wear glasses like me, they will ask you to see the insides of your glasses.
I would highly recommend you to to go through practice tests and familiarize with environment before appearing for one.
Final Thoughts
Figure out how many hours a day you are willing to study to set an easy pace which would get you certified and allow you to keep living your normal life. Finalize your material and stay consistent to ace your goal.
Best of Luck!!
In conclusion, starting your AWS Training & Certification journey requires you to identify your learning objectives, choose your training path, enroll in training courses, practice with AWS services, and get certified. With the right approach and dedication, you can achieve your learning objectives and become an AWS expert.