Hey dev.to community! 👋
After months of preparation (and a fair bit of stress), I finally passed the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam on my first attempt. This certification has a reputation for being one of the toughest in the IT world – often called a "beast" – and I can confirm: it lives up to the hype.
If you're gearing up for the SAP-C02 (the current version as of late 2025), I wanted to share my exact study strategy, resources, and lessons learned. This approach worked for me with real-world AWS experience under my belt, but it focused heavily on deep understanding rather than rote memorization.
Why This Certification Matters
The AWS Solutions Architect Professional validates your ability to design complex, distributed systems on AWS – think multi-account strategies, hybrid architectures, migration at scale, cost optimization, security, and resilience. It's not just about knowing services; it's about choosing the right ones for real-world scenarios.
It's challenging because:
Questions are long, scenario-based, and full of distractors.
You need to weigh trade-offs (cost vs. performance vs. security).
It covers a massive scope, including advanced topics like organizations, multi-region DR, and service integrations.
But passing it feels incredible – it's a huge confidence booster and a standout on any resume.
My Study Resources
I kept it simple and stuck to two high-quality resources that are widely praised in the community:
Stéphane Maarek's Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Course on Udemy
- This was my primary resource. Stéphane is an AWS Hero and an excellent instructor – clear, concise, and focused on exam-relevant architectures.
- I watched the entire course once at normal speed to fully understand the topics (services deep-dives, Well-Architected Framework, migration strategies, etc.).
- Then, I rewatched the same videos at 2x speed for reinforcement. This helped solidify concepts without burning out.
Tutorials Dojo Practice Exams (by Jon Bonso)
- These are gold standard for Professional-level prep. The questions are tough, detailed, and very close to the real exam in style and difficulty.
- I took all the sets in timed mode first, then switched to review mode.
- Crucially: I reviewed every single question, even the ones I got right. I compared my reasoning to the explanations to ensure my logic aligned (or to learn better approaches).
- This process revealed my weak spots (e.g., advanced networking, organizations, or specific service limits), and I went back to Stéphane's course or AWS docs to drill those.
No other resources – no books, no free YouTube scattered videos. Consistency with these two was key.
My Study Timeline
- Total time: About 2-3 months (part-time, alongside work).
- Phase 1: Full course watch + notes.
- Phase 2: 2x speed review.
- Phase 3: Practice exams (multiple rounds) + targeted revision.
- I aimed for 85%+ consistently on Tutorials Dojo before booking the exam.
Pro tip: Hands-on experience is invaluable. If you don't have it from work, build labs (e.g., multi-account setups, migrations) using the AWS Free Tier or Skill Builder labs.
The Exam Day Experience
*The exam was a beast.
*
75 questions, 180 minutes.
Scenarios are wordy – expect paragraphs describing enterprise setups with multiple requirements and constraints.
Many questions have 4-5 viable-sounding options; you have to spot the best one based on nuances.
Time management is critical: I flagged tricky ones and returned later.
I finished with ~20 minutes left for review.
I walked out unsure (classic AWS exam feeling), but the pass notification came quickly. Score was solid – thanks to the deep review process.
Key Tips for Success
Understand, don't memorize: Know why a service is chosen over alternatives.
Master the distractors: AWS loves throwing in plausible but suboptimal options.
Focus on domains: Organizational complexity, resilience, migration, and cost optimization are heavy.
Read explanations deeply: Especially in practice exams – this is where the real learning happens.
Simulate exam conditions: Timed, no distractions.
Stay calm: The exam tests endurance as much as knowledge.
If you're preparing, you got this! It's tough, but achievable with disciplined prep. Drop a comment if you have questions – happy to help.
Now onto the next one... maybe GenAI Professional? :-)
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