I recently completed the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-01) Exam and in this article, I will discuss in detail, my overall experience.
Understanding the Exam Structure
For the Cloud Practitioner exam, AWS will test your knowledge in the below topics. You can learn more about the exam from the official exam guide.
Domain 1: Cloud Concepts (26%)
1.1 Define the AWS Cloud and its value proposition
1.2 Identify aspects of AWS Cloud economics
1.3 List the different cloud architecture design principles
Domain 2: Security and Compliance (25%)
2.1 Define the AWS shared responsibility model
2.2 Define AWS Cloud security and compliance concepts
2.3 Identify AWS access management capabilities
2.4 Identify resources for security support
Domain 3: Technology (33%)
3.1 Define methods of deploying and operating in the AWS Cloud
3.2 Define the AWS global infrastructure
3.3 Identify the core AWS services
3.4 Identify resources for technology support
Domain 4: Billing and Pricing (16%)
4.1 Compare and contrast the various pricing models for AWS
4.2 Recognize the various account structures about AWS billing and pricing
4.3 Identify resources available for billing support
The percentage values denote the total share of questions from that topic in the exam. Two types of questions are asked – Multiple Choice(Has one correct response and three incorrect responses) & Multiple Response (Has two or more correct responses out of five or more options). To pass the exam, you have to score a total of 700 out of 1000. There is no official number for the total number of questions that are asked in the exam, but in my case, the number was 65. The total exam time would be 100 minutes.
Resources I Used for Studying
Although this is a foundational level exam, AWS recommends that candidates have at least 6 months of experience with the AWS Cloud in any role. So it is really necessary for everyone who has never worked with AWS before, to have hands-on. Since I was among the ones who have never worked with AWS, I looked for courses that helped me to have Hands-On on various services offered by AWS.
1. Udemy: [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner – 2020 by Stephane Maarek. This is a paid course and was one of the highest-rated courses on Udemy for the AWS CCP exam, at the time of my purchase. The best thing about this course is that it teaches everything from scratch along with hands-on for all the topics. Also, the summary slide at the end of every chapter helps in last-minute revisions before the exam.
2. Udemy: Practice Exams | AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C01. The practice tests helped me to identify the areas for improvement. Since these tests are time-based, it also helped me to get an understanding of how the real exam feels like. This is also a paid course.
3. AWS CCP Sample Questions – I also looked into the free sample questions with answers that AWS provides on their official CCP website.
Scheduling your Exam
To schedule your exam you have to go to the AWS Training website. I opted for the Online Proctored exam and I think this is one of the most convenient ways to give the exam. The exam cost is 100 USD. If you are also thinking to opt for the Online exam, please keep these points in mind:
- Keep your Govt government-issued documents (Passport or Driving License) close to you when you’re giving the exam.
- The room you are sitting in should be quiet and empty as the proctor will ask you to click pictures of the entire room to make sure of this.
- Keep all your phones and electronics away from you during the entire duration of the exam.
- Start at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
- During the whole exam, your session will be monitored by a proctor through your webcam to make sure the integrity of the exam is not compromised. Also, your whole session would be recorded as well.
After Exam Completion
After exam completion, you would instantly get your result showing Pass or Fail. Keep in mind that you won’t get the certificate immediately if you’ve passed the exam. For me it took round 24 hours for the certificate to reflect in my account.
Please let me know in the comments in case you have any questions. And if you’re planning to take this exam, I wish you all the best!
