Passing AWS Solutions Architect in Three Weeks

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get ready:

1. Understand the Exam Structure and Objectives

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam tests your ability to design secure and robust solutions using AWS services. Key domains include:

Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures (30%)
Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (10%)
Domain 5: Design Operationally Excellent Architectures (10%)

You'll need to be familiar with AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, Lambda, IAM, and more, as well as best practices for security, scalability, and cost management.

2. Three-Week Study Plan

Here's a weekly breakdown to ensure you cover all essential topics:

Week 1: Build Foundation and Core Services

Day 1-2: Get Familiar with AWS Basics
- Review the AWS Well-Architected Framework (security, reliability, performance efficiency, cost optimization, operational excellence).
- Study core services: EC2 (compute), S3 (storage), RDS/Aurora (databases), VPC (networking), and IAM (identity and access management).
- Use the AWS documentation and free AWS training resources (e.g., AWS Skill Builder).
Day 3-4: Dive into Architecture Design
- Learn about high availability, fault tolerance, and scalability (e.g., Auto Scaling, Elastic Load Balancers, Multi-AZ deployments).
- Understand storage options (S3, EBS, EFS) and when to use each.
Days 5-7: Hands-On Practice
- Sign up for the AWS Free Tier and create a few resources (e.g., an EC2 instance, an S3 bucket).
- Watch video tutorials or take a free course on platforms like A Cloud Guru, Linux Academy, or Udemy.
- Start practicing with sample architecture scenarios (e.g., web application design).

Week 2: Deep Dive and Security Focus

Day 1-2: Security and Compliance
- Study IAM policies, roles, and best practices for securing AWS environments.
- Learn about encryption (KMS, SSL/TLS), network security (security groups, NACLs), and compliance standards.
Day 3-4: Advanced Services and Optimization
- Explore serverless (Lambda, API Gateway), caching (ElastiCache), and content delivery (CloudFront).
- Understand cost optimization strategies (e.g., Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, tagging).
Days 5-7: Practice Exams and Weak Areas
- Take your first practice exam to identify weak areas. Use resources like Whizlabs, Jon Bonso's practice exams, or AWS's official practice questions.
- Review incorrect answers and revisit those topics.

Week 3: Final Review and Mock Exams

Day 1-2: Refine Knowledge
- Revisit challenging topics and review AWS whitepapers (e.g., Well-Architected Framework, Security Best Practices).
- Focus on real-world scenarios like disaster recovery, load balancing, and hybrid cloud architectures.
Day 3-4: More Practice Exams
- Take at least 2-3 more practice exams under timed conditions.
- Analyze your performance and ensure you're consistently scoring above 80% (the passing score is typically around 720/1000).
Days 5-6: Recap
- Skim through flashcards or cheat sheets to quickly recall services, limits, and best practices.
- Watch summary videos or attend a last-minute webinar.
Day 7: Rest and Relax
- Light review if needed, but avoid cramming. Get a good night's sleep before the exam.

3. Resources to Use

Official AWS Resources:
- AWS Training and Certification page (free digital training).
- AWS Whitepapers and FAQs.
Books:
- "AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide" by Ben Piper and David Clinton.
- "AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide" by Amazon.
Online Courses:
- A Cloud Guru, Linux Academy, or Udemy course by Stephane Maarek or Ryan Kroonenburg.
Practice Exams:
- Whizlabs, Jon Bonso, or AWS's official practice exams.
Hands-On Labs:
- Qwiklabs or AWS labs to gain practical experience.

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