Welcome to the Get AWS Certified: Solutions
Architect Challenge.

Embrace new skills, show your potential, and plan a career trajectory. Earning AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate shows you have the skills to design and implement distributed systems on AWS. You’ll highlight your ability to design high-performing compute, storage, networking, and database solutions, and you’ll feel confident identifying the AWS services that meet a given technical requirement. Get an industry-recognized credential from AWS—with our support every step of the way.

The goal

Earn AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate before the challenge ends on December 4, 2021.

If you’re joining us for AWS re:Invent this year, we’ve designed this challenge so you can complete preparation and get AWS Certified by by the end of re:Invent.

How we help

We’ll support you with free training, recommended resources, encouragement along the way, and, of course, ways to celebrate your achievement with AWS. By signing up, you’re eligible for a 50% discount voucher for the exam.

How to start

Explore our resources on this page. We recommend you put the training opportunities on your calendar now. Then schedule your exam. By scheduling ahead, you can stay motivated with a deadline to meet.

Share your goal—and your progress—along the way. #getawscertifiedchallenge

Get Started

Welcome to the Challenge

Learn about what to expect in the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge. Get recommendations on how to start strong.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Familiarize yourself with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification in this overview video.



AWS-Certified_Solutions-Architect_Associate_512x512.d82aee07920970350c427c8d0542bc239180a486.png AWS Certification Solutions Architect - Associate exam overview.

Download the exam overview for AWS Certification Solutions Architect – Associate and get:

  • A detailed look at the topics covered
  • A complete breakdown of the testing methodology
  • Access to learning resources like sample questions and practice tests

Download

Get Started with AWS Get Started with AWS Certification

In this on-demand session, join us to learn the basics of AWS Certification, practical tips on taking your exam, and what benefits we provide when you get AWS Certified.

Check your setting Set your settings to get the tips by email

We send bi-weekly tips to help you stay on track throughout the challenge. We send the emails in English, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. Please note that if you have ever opted out of AWS marketing emails, you will not receive these bi-weekly emails related to the challenge. If you would like to review your language preference or change your AWS marketing email preferences at any time, you can do so here.

Sign up here

Set your Schedule

Voucher Your 50% Discount Exam Voucher

You have until November 15, 2021 to use your voucher to schedule an exam appointment with Pearson VUE. Your exam appointment can be for any day before December 4, 2021. Have you scheduled your exam? Tell us, and receive exclusive AWS Official study tools to enhance your preparation


aws_exam_prep_1.png Schedule Your Exam

Go ahead and schedule your exam in advance. You will need the voucher code you plan to use before you schedule. By scheduling ahead, you can choose a time for your exam appointment that is most convenient for you and stay motivated by the date on your calendar. Have you scheduled your exam? Tell us, and receive exclusive AWS Official study tools to enhance your preparation. 

Schedule your exam now

AWS Trainings.png Schedule Your Training

Decide which training options work best for you, and put them on your calendar. The amount of training you need with vary based on how much hands-on experience and prior training you have. Refer to the official exam guide for the knowledge and skills we recommend for exam candidates. Go to the Learn and Prepare tab to access all recommended training and suggested technical documentation.

  • Kick off your preparation by attending a free one-day training for AWS Technical Essentials.
  • Then, join us weekly on Twitch for AWS Power Hour: Architecting.

Learn and Prepare

To plan your preparation, we suggest a week-by-week strategy: Kick off your preparation by attending a free one-day training for AWS Technical Essentials. Then, join us weekly on Twitch for AWS Power Hour: Architecting, a new series that will begin July 12, 2021. Once you’ve completed your training, sign up for a free exam readiness review session a few weeks before your exam.

Review AWS technical documentation

Broaden your technical understanding with whitepapers and technical documentation written by the AWS team. Documentation is available in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and more.

Review: AWS Cloud concepts

If you want to review the fundamentals of the AWS Cloud, we recommend our Twitch series, AWS Power Hour: Cloud Practitioner, which is now available on-demand. This training covers the benefits of cloud, the global infrastructure of AWS, storage, databases, security concepts, the AWS Well-Architected Framework, and cost-optimization.

Watch on-demand

Take AWS Technical Essentials (free one-day webinar or digital training)

Join an accredited AWS expert trainer to learn about AWS products, services, and common solutions in a free one-day webinar or learn on-demand with our free digital course. You will learn the fundamentals of identifying AWS services so that you can make informed decisions based on your business requirements. Topics covered include AWS terminology, how to navigate the AWS Management Console, and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). This training is a great way to start your preparation for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. This training is available in English only.

Find an event »

Join us for AWS Power Hour: Architecting

Join us live on Twitch starting July 12, 2021 for AWS Power Hour: Architecting. Over the course of six episodes, our hosts will guide you through the content with demonstrations and real-world examples to help you prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam.  Sign up to receive episode reminders, easy access to on-demand sessions, and helpful resources along the way. Live streams on Twitch and on-demand recordings are available in English only.

View show details

Join us for a free Exam Readiness webinar

Join an AWS expert trainer to help you prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam. Take this review session a few weeks before your exam. You will work through example questions, identify specific areas to focus on, and have the opportunity to ask your questions. Exam readiness webinars are available in multiple languages and time zones.

Register now for a live webinar

Get hands-on experience

We recommend having hands-on experience using compute, networking, storage, and database AWS services as well as deployment and management services before you take your AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam. Self-paced labs and the AWS Free Tier are great ways to get started building your hands-on experience.

Self-paced labs

Get step-by-step instructions and gain direct experience working through real-world cloud scenarios in a live AWS environment. The following labs can help you get experience in topics relevant to the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam:


AWS Hands-on tutorials

Use the AWS Free Tier to get real-world experience building with AWS. Sign up to learn with easy-to-follow tutorials for multiple use cases, such as how to host a static website and how to run a serverless "Hello, World!" If you’re looking for guidance on getting started with AWS Free Tier, check out this walkthrough from Marcia Villalba, an AWS Sr. Developer Advocate. AWS Free Tier is not available in the AWS China (Beijing) Region or the AWS China (Ningxia) Region.

Practice

Try the Interactive Sample Quiz

Feel more prepared by quizzing yourself with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate sample questions. These example questions show you the style of questions asked on the exam. This free interactive quiz will help you review your responses and the correct answer rationales.

Access now

Take a Practice Exam

Test your knowledge online in a timed environment by taking the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate practice exam. Review your score report to inform your self-study. The practice exam costs 20 USD and is available from either Pearson VUE or PSI. The practice exam is available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Take a practice exam

What to Expect: Taking an Online-Proctored Exam

If you’re curious about what it’s like to take an online-proctored exam with Pearson VUE, check out this video. You’ll learn what you should know before you schedule, how to prepare your workspace, testing rules to be aware of, what to expect on exam day, and how to get help if you need it.

Celebrate and Share

Explore your AWS Certified Benefits

Once AWS Certified, you’ll be eligible for perks that help you show off your achievements and keep learning. Learn more about your AWS Certification digital badges, discounts on future exams, recognition at AWS re:Invent and other events, our global community on LinkedIn, and more.

Share Your Digital Badge

It’s time to celebrate with your network and everyone who supported you along the way. We provide digital badges on Credly’s digital badging platform to help you showcase your achievement. Share your badge as a post on social media and add it to your professional profiles, digital resumes, or email signatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read through the frequently asked questions below if you have questions.

Q: How do I get the 50% exam discount voucher?

A: All participants are eligible for a 50% discount exam voucher for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. You can request your voucher here. If you already have a voucher, such as one from your employer or as a benefit from earning a prior AWS Certification, please note only one voucher can be used in a single purchase.

Q: What should I do if I haven’t received my 50% exam discount voucher?

A: Please confirm you submitted your request here. If it has been more than seven days since your submission, contact [email protected].

Q: Who can participate in the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge?

A: Any person that registers for the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge between June 1, 2021 - October 15, 2021 will be eligible to participate in the training sessions and webinars and eligible for the 50% discount exam voucher. Terms and conditions apply.

Q: Do I have to follow all of the training in order to complete the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge?

A: All training, review sessions, and preparation resources are optional for participants. The training curriculum provided is a recommended path of resources. If you feel ready to take the certification exam, you can go ahead and schedule your exam as soon as you feel prepared.

Q: In what languages will the challenge experience and the exam be available?

A: The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam is available to take in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. On August 26, 2021, the exam will also be available in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish (learn more). The Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge resource hub and related emails will also be available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. Some resources linked from the resource hub will only be available in English. All training is available in English, with some limited availability in additional languages. Check the Learn and Prepare section on the resource hub for more information.

Q: What is the benefit of getting AWS Certified?

A: AWS Certifications build credibility and confidence by validating your cloud skills with an industry-recognized credential. Getting AWS Certified can help you propel your career, whether looking to find a new role, showcase your skills to take on a new project, or become your team’s go-to expert.

Q: How does staff getting AWS Certified benefit an organization?

A: AWS Certification helps organizations identify and cultivate skilled professionals who can improve cloud operations and drive innovation. Research by Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) shows that AWS Certification can help organizations build faster, improve security, reduce downtime, improve deployment time, better innovate with AWS services, and attract and retain top talent. Learn more.

Q: Is there any cost associated with the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge?

A: There is no cost to sign up or participate in the training and preparation sessions for the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge. All participants are eligible for a 50% discount exam voucher for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (terms and conditions apply). AWS Partner individuals may be eligible for an exam certification voucher from their organization and should check with their Learning and Development Leader. To earn the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification, participants must take and pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam, which costs 150 USD (or 75 USD with a 50% discount voucher).

Q: What are the dates of the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge?

A: Registration will be open from June 1, 2021 - October 15, 2021. To be recognized for meeting the Get AWS Certified: Solutions Architect Challenge, take and pass your AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam before December 4, 2021.

Q: How do I take the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam?

A. We offer exams through two test delivery providers, Pearson VUE and PSI. Both test delivery providers offer the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam for candidates to take in testing centers or at home via online proctoring. The 50% discount voucher is limited to use at Pearson VUE (terms and conditions apply). Learn more about your testing options here.

Q: How do I share my certification with my network?

A: We provide digital badges on Credly’s digital badging platform as a benefit of earning an AWS Certification to help you showcase your achievement. You can add your digital badge to your professional profiles, digital resumes, or email signatures. You can also share your digital badge as a post on social media to celebrate with your network.

Q: Do I have to be AWS Certified to attend AWS re:Invent? Do I have to attend AWS re:Invent to join the challenge?

A: Anyone can join the challenge and set a goal to be AWS Certified before AWS re:Invent starts on November 29, 2021, whether you plan to attend the event or not. You don’t need to be AWS Certified to attend AWS re:Invent, but it’s a great time to show off your cloud knowledge and find your next challenge. Learn more about AWS re:Invent here.