Earning the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) certification is a smart move for anyone looking to demonstrate their ability to design scalable, secure, and cost-effective systems on AWS. Whether you’re just getting started or levelling up your cloud career, this guide covers everything you need—from the latest syllabus to top-tier courses and practice resources.
✅ Exam Overview
The SAA-C03 exam tests your knowledge of AWS services and your ability to design well-architected solutions. Here’s a quick look at what to expect:
- Format: Multiple choice and multiple response
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Number of Questions: 65
- Cost: $150 USD
- Delivery Method: Pearson VUE or PSI (testing center or online)
- Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Indonesian
👉 View the official AWS exam page
📘 Latest Syllabus – AWS SAAC03 Domains (2025)
The SAA-C03 exam covers four key domains, each focusing on a different aspect of architecting on AWS:
1. Design Secure Architectures (30%)
- Secure access to AWS resources
- Secure workloads and applications
- Data encryption and security controls
2. Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
- Scalable, loosely coupled solutions
- Highly available and fault-tolerant systems
3. Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
- Compute, storage, and network performance optimization
- Scalable database and data ingestion solutions
4. Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)
- Cost-effective solutions for compute, storage, database, and networking
📄 Download the official exam guide (PDF)
🎓 Best Online Courses to Learn AWS (2025)
Here are the top 2 courses you should seriously consider for thorough, reliable, and up-to-date exam preparation:
🔹 Adrian Cantril – SAA-C03 Masterclass
This course is hands-down the most comprehensive and technically accurate AWS training available. Adrian uses in-depth visuals, real-world scenarios, and architecture diagrams to help you master AWS beyond the certification.
🔹 Stephane Maarek – Ultimate AWS SAA-C03 Course (Udemy)
Perfect for visual learners who enjoy fast-paced, practical instruction. Includes hands-on labs, quizzes, and a practice exam. Great for beginners and intermediate learners looking to pass quickly and confidently.
🧪 Practice Exams – Tutorials Dojo Only
Practicing with realistic mock exams is crucial. Tutorials Dojo by Jon Bonso is the gold standard and widely used by certified professionals.
🔸 Tutorials Dojo Practice Exams
- Exam-style questions with detailed explanations
- Scenario-based questions aligned with SAA-C03
- Track your strengths and weaknesses
📝 Available at:
📌 Final Tips for Success
- 🔄 Review AWS White-papers: Focus on the Well-Architected Framework and security best practices.
- 🧪 Take Practice Tests: Simulate real exam conditions with Tutorials Dojo.
- 🛠️ Hands-On Labs: Use the AWS Free Tier to build, break, and fix real architectures.
- ⏳ Set a Study Schedule: Aim for 4–8 weeks of consistent prep, depending on experience.
- 👥 Join AWS Communities: Reddit, LinkedIn, and Discord groups are great for sharing tips and resources.
🎯 Ready to Get AWS Certified?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) is more than just a badge—it’s a signal of your ability to design secure, scalable, and efficient AWS architectures. With the right study plan, hands-on experience, and the resources listed above, you’re well on your way to success.
✨ Best of luck on your AWS journey!
