AWS is a market leader in cloud-based services. Through its learning console, it offers a range of courses and certifications to validate a candidate’s ability to manage and work with the AWS cloud platform. These certifications are globally recognized and respected across the tech domain.
AWS Certification can open many opportunities for you. A professional with AWS Certification is more likely to be selected for promotions and raises. In fact, employers prefer candidates who have certifications as it ensures that they have an in-depth knowledge of the AWS platform.
Let’s look at various AWS certifications and how you can decide which one to get.
Types Of AWS Certifications
There are three categories under the AWS certifications: foundational, associate, professional, and specialty. Each of the categories has different certifications suitable for various job profiles such as Cloud Practitioner, developer, architect, and cloud operations. The least difficult is the practitioner, while the most difficult are the professional and specialty.
- Foundational certifications – AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Associate certifications– AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, and AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
- Professional certifications– AWS Certified Solutions Architect and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
- Specialty certifications– Data Analytics, Advanced Networking, Security, Machine Learning, Database, and SAP on AWS
You can choose any of these certifications, as any certification will add value to your resume. However, each certificate is ideal for a specific role with particular job experience. So, you must decide on the certification based upon all the factors such as experience, job profile, and career path.
Foundational certification is the most basic certification on the certification ladder. So, it’s important to get the foundational certification first and then move to other advanced certifications.
Why Are AWS Certifications Hard?
Foundation Level – The foundation level is the first certification in the AWS certification ladder. It tests a candidate’s basic knowledge about AWS cloud principles and shared responsibility, billing, account management, and support. Before taking this exam, six months of AWS cloud experience is recommended. Professionals with experience in networking can easily clear this certification. You may find some concepts new, but they would be related to file storage, databases, and virtual machines. While you can jump ahead to the Associate level, it’s best you master the foundational level and then the other certifications.
Associate Level– The Associate Level has architect, developer, and SysOps administrator certifications. These exams cover many advanced AWS areas, making these exams more challenging than the foundational certificate. They also require you to have at least a year of experience in the AWS cloud. The questions cover a lot of deep concepts. As the testing objectives are broad, you must look at a variety of resources to have a broad understanding. In addition, you can use the resources available for free on the AWS console. An AWS training can help you crack the examination in one go.
Professional level– The professional level exam is more demanding than the associate. For this exam, you must have a minimum of 2 years of experience using AWS products and services. It tests your experience and intuition and the ability to use the AWS product and services. The questions are lengthy, requiring deep analysis of big questions. The questions can also be tricky and need scrutiny before answering. This exam is considered tricky, so best you prepare for it and clear the associate level exams before it.
Specialty level- Specialty certifications aren’t the hardest to earn but are complex in nature. If the scope of the associate and professional level exams is extensive and deep, specialty exams are narrow but deep. Some may find it harder than the associate exam, but it all depends on your experience. All the specialty certificates require 3-5 years of experience in a specific domain. You also need practice and dedication to clear these exams.
How Long Will You Take To Become Certified?
The time for clearing AWS certification exams mostly depends on your proficiency and experience in AWS. In addition, it depends upon the certification level you are attempting. A professional with good experience in AWS can take up to 2 months to prepare. But if you are beginner in AWS, you would need to commit more time to preparing.
If you enroll in an AWS certification training bootcamp, even a beginner will become proficient in AWS in just 4-6 months. At the same time, Professionals with some experience in AWS can enhance their knowledge through certification training.
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