Hey everyone! I've been working with AWS infrastructure for nearly five years now. I completed the Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect Associate certifications a couple of years ago, but they've expired. Recently, I've taken on more of a leadership role, and I'm concerned about how difficult the Professional Solutions Architect exam might be, especially since my team has shifted towards using Terraform rather than the tools I previously worked with, like CodePipeline and CloudFormation. I was considering doing a refresher with the AWS Cloud Operations exam first, which looks like it would require about two months of study, before tackling the professional exam. By the way, my company is connected to AWS, but I don't believe they currently offer courses for these certifications.
5 Answers
I think preparation is key! I suggest a subscription to AWS Skill Builder for the practice exams—they're worth it just for that. Take your Associate test again too; it really gets you back in the exam mindset. Plus, with the discount, it balances out price-wise. Just remember that the Pro exam is all about speed and comprehension—lots of dense questions and answers!
I passed the Pro exam last month. My advice? Work your way up: do the Practitioner, then the Associate, and then the Security Specialty if you can. There's a lot of conceptual overlap. For resources, just search online, and you'll find plenty of materials to help you prepare.
If you're fine with the exam fees, I'd recommend doing the Solutions Architect Associate exam first, then go for the Professional exam shortly after. There's a lot of overlap between the two, and you'll retain more knowledge if you take them close together. Just be prepared—pro exams often have longer, trickier questions. I found the last time I took the Pro exam, I was rushed for time, even though I usually finish Associate exams with time to spare. The Pro exam really tests your depth of knowledge and throws a lot of 'choose two' or 'choose three' type questions your way.
Totally agree! Plus, even if exam fees are a concern, it's actually more economical to do the Associate first. The SAA costs $150, while the Pro is $300, but you'd get a 50% discount on the Pro after passing the Associate, making it only $150 anyway!
Exactly! I found the Pro very tricky, but if you are prepared, it's manageable.
Definitely take the Associate test first. Since I went through a course that covered the gaps, I didn’t find the Pro exam that much harder. They both test your ability to synthesize a lot of information and pick the correct AWS answer, which is usually pretty good!
You’ve got a solid foundation with your experience. I suggest checking out an exam guide and brushing up on the services that you might not use often. With your background, I think you’ll have no trouble passing.
Haha, I do use the console daily and troubleshoot Terraform issues, but I still get mixed up on some services!
I couldn't agree more. The reading comprehension requirement is what really makes the Pro exam different. You’ll need to understand specific requirements rather than just picking the best technical answer.