How to Pass the AWS Certified Developer – Associate 2020 Exam

TL;DR

To pass the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam, build hands-on skills in building, securing, and deploying web applications on AWS and complete the course’s follow-on exercises in your own AWS account. Andrew Brown recommends 1.5 to 2 months of study for developers, while cloud engineers may need about 30 hours. Read on for the exam format, study timelines, certification value, and tested deployment concepts.

Transcript

Hey, this is Andrew Brown from exam Pro, and I'm bringing you another animal certification course. And this one happens to be the hardest at the associate track, which is the developer associate. So if you're looking to gain hands on knowledge, building, securing, and deploying web applications to AWS, this is the course for you. And remember, if y... Read More

Key Insights

• The AWS Certified Developer - Associate is considered the hardest among AWS associate certifications due to its hands-on approach.
• The certification is ideal for web developers looking to add cloud computing skills to their toolkit.
• The exam requires practical knowledge and offers a significant advantage in job opportunities as a cloud engineer.
• Studying for the exam typically takes 1.5 to 2 months for experienced developers, longer for those new to AWS.
• The exam costs $150 USD, lasts 130 minutes, and consists of 65 questions with a passing score around 72%.
• Elastic Beanstalk is a key service for deploying and managing web applications without worrying about infrastructure.
• AWS white papers are crucial study materials, especially for professional-level certifications.
• In-place and blue-green deployments are important concepts for managing AWS services like Elastic Beanstalk.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you prepare for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam?

Focus on practical experience building, securing, and deploying web applications on AWS because the exam is described as highly hands-on. Andrew Brown also recommends completing all course follow-on exercises in your own AWS account.

Q: How long should you study for the AWS Developer Associate exam?

A developer should plan for about 1.5 to 2 months of study. Someone starting from scratch after a bootcamp may need at least 2 months and possibly 3, while an existing cloud engineer may need around 30 hours.

Q: How much does the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam cost, and what is its format?

The exam costs $150 USD, lasts 130 minutes, and contains 65 questions. The stated passing level is around 72%, or 720 points out of 1,000, although AWS can adjust the required value.

Q: Who is the AWS Developer Associate certification for?

It is aimed at web developers who want to add cloud computing skills, build cloud-first applications, or transition into cloud engineering. The course discusses serverless, microservices, and traditional application architectures.

Q: Why is the AWS Developer Associate exam considered difficult?

Andrew Brown calls it the hardest certification in the associate track because passing requires practical AWS knowledge. Its emphasis is on doing hands-on work rather than relying only on conceptual knowledge.

Q: What career value does the AWS Developer Associate certification provide?

The certification can help candidates stand out on resumes and gain more cloud-engineering job opportunities. Andrew Brown says it is not likely to increase salary unless an employer places particular value on cloud engineers.

Q: What exam code and passing score are discussed for AWS Developer Associate?

The course identifies the exam code as DVA-C01. It gives the passing grade as 720 points out of 1,000, while noting that the effective threshold can vary around 72%.

Q: How long is the AWS Developer Associate certification valid?

The certification is valid for three years. The course presents that validity period as important context when considering the $150 USD exam cost.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam is the hardest among AWS associate certifications due to its hands-on approach, requiring practical knowledge of AWS services. It is ideal for web developers aiming to transition into cloud engineering roles.

• Studying for the exam typically takes 1.5 to 2 months for experienced developers, with a longer duration for those new to AWS. The exam costs $150 USD, lasts 130 minutes, and consists of 65 questions with a passing score around 72%.

• Key services like Elastic Beanstalk are covered, which help deploy and manage web applications without managing infrastructure. Understanding deployment methods, AWS white papers, and practical skills are crucial for passing the exam.