AWS Solution Architect Certification Path for Basic to Pro

The AWS Solution Architect certification is a precious qualification that can greatly enrich your cloud computing career. It gives you a special chance to improve your skills in cloud technology. As companies continue to transfer more and more to the cloud, there is a growing need for proficient professionals. 

No matter if you have experience or not, this certificate may present diverse opportunities for work roles within the information technology field. You can acquire important skills in designing scalable and cost-efficient cloud architectures while being resilient. Moreover, knowing an AWS Solution Architect’s career path helps you imagine your future in this dynamic sector. 

If you are interested in enhancing your skills within cloud technology, the AWS Solution Architect certification path can be beneficial to make a transition from beginner to pro. 

In this blog, you’ll learn how to go through the process of getting certified, starting from basic understanding to professional expertise. If you’re a beginner or trying to further your career as an AWS Solution Architect, knowing this journey is very important. You can succeed in this challenging employment market if you prepare properly and have the necessary materials. We should understand the AWS Solution Architect certification path and see how to reach your aspirations in cloud computing.

Understanding AWS Certification Levels

AWS certification program is made up of different levels. Each one of them is aimed at people with different levels of experience and expertise. You will find certifications categorized into three main levels:

• Foundational
• Associate
• Professional
• Specialty 

It builds on the knowledge gained from the previous one, and you can progress in your AWS Solution Architect certification path. It gives you an idea of where to kick-start your career. This depends on where you are with your skills and career goals.

Foundational Level

This is the right foundational certification for those new to AWS or with little or no technical experience. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the starting point for your computing journey. It gives you a good overview of AWS services, cloud concepts, and basic security measures. You don’t need prior IT knowledge to pass this exam. Therefore, it’s open to anyone who wants to change careers or upskill.

This certification shows that you’re familiar with the basics of AWS. This can give you a big boost in self-confidence when it comes to taking on more advanced certifications. It is particularly useful for people in non-technical roles who want to communicate with technical teams. This certification will lay a solid foundation for specialists and the growth of your career path as you sail on to your AWS Solution Architect career path.

Associate Level

The Associate Level certifications are important to your AWS Solution Architect certification path. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate is a way to gain entry into more advanced roles. They challenge you to show your capability in designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS. To enter the associate-level certification, you need prior knowledge of cloud or IT experience.

Earning an Associate Level certification gives you practical skills that will help you become employable. This level will help you build a strong base for more complicated concepts and prepare for the challenges in a cloud-focused career. These certifications will play a huge role in your AWS Solution Architect career path as you grow.

Professional Level

Once you earn AWS Solution Architect associate-level certification, the next step is to develop knowledge to meet professional needs and requirements. To enter the professional level, you need to finish the associate certification first. You also need 2 years of experience in prior AWS Cloud. 

When you achieve this certification, it confirms your understanding of fields like advanced design and optimized approaches. This can greatly enhance your self-assurance when looking into more complex certifications. Earning the AWS Solution Architect-Professional certificate brings out the advanced knowledge and skills in handling complex problems, cost, and performance, and automating manual processes.

Specialty Level

Once you need to move to higher positions, you need to continue with the specialty-level certification in the AWS solution architect certification path. This level has complex topics and needs more effort to complete it. You must have passed the AWS Solution Architect Associate Certification to enter this certification. To improve the skills and management quality, you need  

AWS Solution Architect Associate Certification

Earning this certification gives you a leg up in roles across the cloud computing field. This will help you on your AWS Solution Architect certification path.

Exam Details

The test includes 65 questions and takes around 130 minutes. It brings multiple-choice questions created to examine your understanding of AWS services and architectural good practices. Although there are not any strict prerequisites, obtaining a minimum of one year of practical experience with AWS is strongly suggested. This experience is going to assist you in comprehending the contents of the exam better and getting ready for scenarios that occur in real life.

Preparation Resources

You can use a number of resources to prepare effectively. There are online courses, books, and practice exams to learn the material. AWS also provides whitepapers and training videos that cover the exam topics in detail, and it is also proving to be free. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer structured courses geared for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam.

Cost of the Exam

You have to pay $150 to enrol for this exam. Furthermore, if you decide to join training courses or buy study resources, it can lead to extra costs. Planning for these items is a smart decision since they could greatly improve your readiness and raise your success chance within this AWS Solution Architect certification path.

Also Read: Guide to AWS Solution Architect Salary, Experience & Location

AWS Solution Architect Professional Certification

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional is for experienced ones who want to demonstrate their expertise in cloud architecture. This is a certification that leans on the knowledge acquired at the associate level and takes you to the deeper end of architectural concepts. 

This is the most important step in your AWS Solution Architect certification path because it prepares you to tackle very complex challenges when you’re designing and deploying applications on AWS.

Exam Details

The 75 questions of the professional exam are given in 180 minutes. You will be tested on your ability to design complex solutions with a combination of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. This exam is a bit more challenging than the associate level in terms of understanding AWS services and best practices. 

Of course, there are no strict prerequisites. Still, if you want to be successful, it’s strongly recommended to hold the associate certification.

Preparation Resources

For effective preparation, you may want to use advanced study materials designed for this AWS Solution Architect certification path.

Moreover, community forums and study groups can offer helpful assistance while you get ready for the exam. Discussing with your colleagues can assist in simplifying complicated subjects and improve knowledge about AWS structure.

Cost of the Exam

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect professional-level exam costs $300. The higher fee reflects the advanced nature of the content than the associate-level exam. You may also be charged additional costs if you decide to take training courses or buy study materials. These are the resources that will significantly increase your chances of passing the AWS Solution Architect exam and moving up your career path.

Also Read: Types Of AWS Certifications And Their Cost?

Career Path for AWS Solution Architects

When you get your AWS certifications, you are in a position to have a lot of career options. Cloud technology is in demand and AWS Solution Architects are critical to that demand. You can also explore job titles such as Cloud Solutions Architect and Cloud Engineer. There are various responsibilities about each role, including designing scalable systems, cloud migrations, and system reliability. These positions require you to utilize your AWS knowledge to achieve the outcomes needed to solve complex business challenges.

Job Roles and Responsibilities

As a person who works as an Architect for Cloud Solutions, your job will be to create and set up cloud services that are personalized according to the client’s requirements. The work you might need to do includes analyzing architectural aspects and creating strategies for cloud migration. 

On the other hand, being a cloud engineer means you concentrate more on operational things like deploying applications and handling cloud infrastructure. Both positions need good technical abilities and communication skills to interact properly with stakeholders.

Skills Required for Success

To perform well in these jobs, you must cultivate a combination of technical and soft skills. Having competence in AWS services, networking, and safety protocols is part of the technical abilities required. 

On top of that, having excellent communication along with problem-solving capacity is crucial while working together with clients. Being flexible and ready to learn can also assist you in adjusting to the fast-changing cloud environment.

Salary Expectations

Expectations on salary can change depending on your certification degree and how much experience you have. Typically, AWS Solutions Architects get approximately $126,000 every year. But this number has the potential to increase much more if they have a lot of experience or higher certifications. 

For instance, experts in top-level positions or specific domains such as Cloud Security may make more than $200,000 every year. With this, you can prepare yourself for high-paying opportunities in this expanding area.

Want a better career? Start your AWS Solution Architect course with Star Agile now. Take your first step to becoming an AWS expert!

Conclusion

You’re about to start your journey on the AWS Solution Architect certification path, and everything you need to be successful is here. With proper guidance and learning, you can move from beginner level to specialist level. 

Start with the Cloud Practitioner exam as your first step on the AWS Solution Architect certification path. But build your confidence slowly. Each certification you earn will make your architect career path stronger. 

AWS solutions architect training is exclusive and done by experts at Staragile. Contact me for any further doubts. This path might look hard now, but if you can dedicate yourself to it and have the right resources, you will master it step by step. Start now your cloud architecture future awaits you!