Preparing for the real Exam

This guide walks you through the essential steps to prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam. By following these clear, actionable steps, you will reinforce your AWS knowledge, address gaps in your understanding, and build the confidence to pass the exam.

Step 1: Master the Mock Exam

After completing your studies, your first priority is to focus on the mock exam. Retake it repeatedly until you consistently score 95% or until you fully understand every error. If you only achieve an 85th percentile, revisit the challenging areas until the concepts become clear.

Step 2: Dive Deep into the “Design for X” Sections

The “Design for X” section is packed with scenario-based questions designed to test your ability to optimize various aspects of AWS architecture, such as security, reliability, performance, and cost efficiency. While the end-of-section quizzes are useful, the detailed design questions provide a deeper understanding of best practices.

Consider a common scenario: a retail company deploying an e-commerce application on AWS. The application must securely handle customer transactions and manage sensitive data. To achieve this, segregate the application and business logic from the database layer to minimize unauthorized access. A recommended strategy is to use a single VPC with multiple subnets—assigning public subnets for the web tier and private subnets for the application and database layers—while implementing strict firewall configurations.

Understanding the reasoning behind why one solution is correct—and why the others are not—is crucial. For example, placing the web tier in a public subnet while restricting the application and database tiers to private subnets effectively limits public access and promotes security through controlled, encrypted communication across layers.

Occasionally, the section may also include reference diagrams provided by AWS. These diagrams offer valuable visual context and a deeper understanding of how AWS services integrate, making complex concepts more accessible.

Step 3: Seek Guidance and Clarify Doubts on Slack

If reviewing the mock exam and design scenarios still leaves you with questions, connect with the community on Slack at kodekloud.slack.com. Both Michael Forrester and Sanjeev Thiyagarajan are available to answer your questions, offer insights, and help pinpoint any topics that need further review.

Summary

To prepare effectively for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam, follow these three critical steps:

1. Practice Intensively: Retake the mock exam until you reach a consistent 95% score. This rigorous practice is essential, even though the actual exam has different questions and an 80% pass threshold.
2. Review Design Scenarios: Focus on the “Design for X” sections to master scenario-based questions related to security, reliability, and cost optimization.
3. Engage with the Community: Leverage the Slack channel (kodekloud.slack.com) to connect with experienced coaches for advice and additional support.

Once you build your confidence by following these steps, sign up for the exam and celebrate your success. We are here to provide all the guidance and support you need on your journey to becoming an AWS Solutions Architect Associate.

Good luck on your exam journey!