I'm looking to get the AWS Certified Developer Associate certification for work. Although I have some development experience, I'm pretty new to AWS and cloud concepts. Can anyone recommend a solid study strategy? I would love to just find a good book on it, but I'm starting to think those are hard to come by. I found a really long FreeCodeCamp YouTube video—should I just watch that from beginning to end? Also, are there any free practice exams I could use to prepare?
4 Answers
Honestly, don't stress too much! Just go for the exam and learn from whatever you find difficult—the fail-fast approach is key. Since you're a developer, you'll likely recognize patterns that can help you out in the exam.
If you're a beginner, definitely take a structured course! Is your employer covering the costs? If so, I'd recommend Adrian Cantrill's courses. I took the Solutions Architect course, and it covers everything you need to know in a digestible way. You might also find courses aimed specifically at exam prep, but make sure you're actually learning something useful while you're at it!
I have my exam scheduled for November 3rd. I've been practicing using Stephen Maarek's papers and reviewing his course. I can't really do hands-on work but I’ve been exploring my AWS account alongside his lectures. My practice test scores are around 75-80, and I feel confident I'll pass, although I worry about facing difficult questions. A little encouragement would be great!
Take the official AWS course—spend a good three days diving into it. The course isn’t about coding; it’s focused on AWS architecture, best practices, API actions, and how to manage those calls effectively. Companies usually want you to know how to apply these concepts rather than just passing the test, so it’s worth investing time into understanding AWS.
Where can I find this official AWS course? Looking for guidance!
You got this! Just remember, you’ve been preparing well. Focus on understanding the concepts, and you’ll be fine on exam day!