AWS certified solutions architect associate exam is an important career milestone for all cloud professionals. That validates the critical skills of professionals that are required to pursue cloud computing. It was updated on August 30, 2022. Which board has increased its content up to the maximum and the weightage of each domain has changed as well. 

These are the areas that are high in demand now to cross this certification exam. Including security, cost optimization, data volume, resilience, and designing high-performing systems. Major additions have been made in the updated version in addition to high-performance systems and cost optimization. Before appearing in an exam, make sure basic understanding of of these few skills:

• Basic understanding of architecture and deployment applications with higher levels of security and resilience. 
• Knowledge of AWS solutions in accordance with design principles as per customer requirements. 
• Implementation of best practices of AWS throughout the life cycle of a project. 

Criteria of AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam 

The next important step you should keep in consideration in the preparation of the architect associate exam is the prerequisites of the exam. Candidates should know there are no hardbound criteria for this examination. But knowledge and skills in some areas are important to have: these are the requirements that a candidate should fulfill:

• Understanding of the use of cloud computing, database, storage, networking, and AWS services. 
• Working experience in AWS deployment and management. 
• Able to identify technical skills required for AWS services. 
• Able to identify AWS services that can align with its technical requirements. 
• Information related to the development of applications on the AWS platform. That gives higher reliability and scalability. 
• Understanding of building AWS global infrastructure. 
• Relevancy of AWS services with network technologies. 
• Finding the security features and tools that are parallel with AWS services. 

Exam Specifications 

The next step in the way of preparation for the AWS solutions architect exam is getting information about exam content. Which includes exam format, registration fee, and languages that are described in detail in the exam guide by XtremeLabs Marketplace. In this certification exam, there are two types of questions. One is multiple choice and the other is multiple responses. In multiple choice choose one out of four. And in multiple responses select two out of five. These five will be very close to the question. 

Take time and select consciously what you find most relevant. Candidates cannot avail it online but they appear in the examination center for it only. The time of examination will be scheduled at the time of registration with the registration fee of 150 USD. It is available in four languages: English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. 

Domains Covered 

Domains are the topics that are included in the syllabus of the exam. There are four domains that are included in it. Each has some specific weightage. These are the four you have to cover  before appearing in the exam and make sure to go through the sub-topics included in each:

• Designing secure architecture (30%)
• Creating resilient architecture(26%)
• Designing high performance architecture (24% )
• Cost-optimized architecture (20%) 

Steps of Preparation 

Besides getting information about all the topics that are included in the syllabus of the exam, it is mandatory to go in steps to pass the exam with flying colors. Following are the steps that are included in the expert guide by XtremeLabs Marketplace.And will help you in the best preparation for the exam. 

Follow Official Website 

The first step from where you should start is to get ongoing knowledge on the official website. That is a reliable and excellent source of information to cross the AWS certified solutions architect associate exam. It not only provides a proper guide file for each and everything the exam is included in but also keeps you updated with changes that could happen. 

Preparation Through Exam Guide 

The next important step you should follow for the preparation of this certification exam is following the exam guide. You can download it with a single click on the official website. Sample questions regarding each domain are also available there. That will empower your preparation and you can maintain your record of progress. From sample questions, you can get an idea about the type of questions and their format. That gives a direction of preparation. 

Follow Recommended Learning Paths 

After covering the exam guide and sample questions explore recommended learning paths that are mentioned on the official website. Those are actually technical skills required for the examination. Few classroom training sessions are also available. These three are the areas to cover:

• AWS Technical Essentials.
• Architecting on AWS.
• Architecting on AWS- Accelerator.

Whitepapers and FAQs 

Find all the learning sources that can give any information regarding your AWS certified solutions architect associate exam that will give a shift to your career. Whitepapers and FAQs are also reliable to go through for better preparation. Links to a few reliable whitepapers are given on this webpage. From where candidates can get information related to some common issues and questions. A few of them are given:

• AWS Cloud Formation
• AWS Cloud Trail
• Amazon EventBridge
• AWS Config
• AWS systems manager
• AWS trusted advisor
• AWS DMS
• AWS migration hub
• AWS data sync
• AWS Snowball
• Amazon API Gateway
• AWS direct connect
• Amazon CloudFront
• Amazon Route 53
• AWS Directory Service
• AWS Certificate Manager

One more thing you can do for best preparation is attempt practice questions and take online courses. From where you can analyze your strengths and weaknesses. And can resolve that to qualify for the exam. And to get a complete study guide, XtremeLabs Marketplace is a reliable place.