As more companies require skilled professionals to manage their growing cloud-based data, applications and storage, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification can help you stand out. But with so many certifications available, you might have a hard time determining what credential would suit you best. Here’s what you need to know about the AWS certification path for students.
Why Pursue an Amazon Web Services Certification?
It is the most useful certifications with more than 175 services, AWS is a cloud platform that has been adopted by companies throughout the world. An AWS certification path for students confirms your knowledge and expertise with the tools and technologies of this platform. Areas like cloud computing, server infrastructure and data science are in demand, so an AWS certification roadmap can help you stand out, whether you’re looking for a job or want to advance with your employer.
AWS certification path for students, offer different paths based on your own needs and goals. You can work toward a broad overview, gravitate toward a more technical area or specialize in a field such as security or machine learning. The prerequisites for AWS certification path for students courses are only recommendations, not requirements. But you typically need some hands-on experience or equivalent knowledge to pass each exam.
Amazon provides many courses to help you learn AWS topics and prepare for the actual exams. And the program is continually growing. On Dec 10th, Amazon announced new training programs for AWS learning path, including an expansion of free classes.
AWS Certifications & Certification Levels
AWS cloud certification path offers 11 certifications: a foundational certification, three associate-level certifications, two professional-level certifications, and six specialty certifications.
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02)
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
- AWS Certified Database – Specialty (DBS-C01)
- AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty (DAS-C01)
Here are the first few certifications in detail.
Foundational Certification Level
The foundational level offers a single certification called AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. This is a starting point for AWS cert path professionals and serves as an introduction for nontechnical employees who want an overview of the AWS cloud.
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the entry-level certification. It may serve as a first step for those seeking an associate or specialty certification. But it’s also geared toward people in nontechnical areas, such as sales, management and finance, who work with AWS.
The Cloud Practitioner certification covers AWS topics such as basic infrastructure, deployment and operation, key services, security and compliance, and billing and account management. After being certified, you should be able to obtain other certifications if you want to pursue a niche in AWS. Amazon offers a free digital course to help you prepare for the exam’s success.
Recommended Certification Prerequisites
- At least six months of experience with the AWS cloud in any role.
- A basic understanding of how various IT services are used in the AWS cloud.
About the Exam
Consists of multiple-choice questions and gives you 90 minutes to complete it.
Cost
The exam is $100.
Associate Certification Level
The AWS Associate Certification focuses on solving problems and applying solutions with the AWS cloud. AWS offers three certifications:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect credential is aimed at those working as solutions architects, a job that requires experience designing systems and applications on AWS. Among the topics that the exam covers: how to build and deploy applications using AWS, how to design systems and applications based on customer requirements, and how to use best practices to guide a project. Amazon offers a free two-hour digital course to help you prepare for this exam.
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Recommended Certification Prerequisites:
- At least one year of experience working as a solutions architect on the AWS platform.
- You also should have taken a course in Architecting on AWS or have the equivalent knowledge.
About the Exam
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and gives you 130 minutes to complete it.
Cost
This exam is $150.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
The AWS Certified Developer credential is for people who develop software with AWS. Someone with this role would understand the uses and best practices of AWS services for the basic AWS architecture. You should also have expertise developing, deploying and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS. Amazon offers a free digital course to help you prepare for this exam.
Recommended Certification Prerequisites
- One or more years of experience designing and maintaining an AWS-based application.
- In-depth knowledge of at least one high-level programming language.
- You should also have taken the course in Developing on AWS or have equivalent knowledge.
About the Exam
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and gives you 130 minutes to complete it.
Cost
The exam is $150.
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
A person with an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator credential should be able to select the right AWS services based on internal data and security requirements, use AWS to deploy and manage systems that can grow as internal needs increase and continue operating in the event of a failure, and be able to migrate on-premises systems to AWS. Amazon offers a free digital course to help you prepare for this exam.
Recommended Certification Prerequisites
- At least one year of experience provisioning, operating and maintaining systems running on AWS.
- You should also have taken the course on Systems Operations on AWS or have equivalent knowledge.
About the Exam
The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and gives you 130 minutes to complete it.
Cost
The exam is $150.
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