Coming Soon to AWS Certification

What's Coming

Featured New & Updated Exam Guides

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate Exam Guide

  The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification validates knowledge of how to design available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on the AWS Cloud to meet business and customer requirements.
  
  An updated version of the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam is expected in March 2020. The beta period for this updated exam is expected to be November 4, 2019 – November 29, 2019.
  
  The current AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam will be available throughout this beta period and until the new standard version is released in March 2020.
  
  Download the exam guide
  

• AWS Certified Database - Specialty Exam Guide

  The new AWS Certified Database - Specialty certification validates a comprehensive understanding of the breadth of AWS database services and how to accelerate the use of database technology to drive business transformation in your organization.
  
  The beta exam will be available through January 10, 2020. Standard availability for this exam version is expected in April 2020.
  
  Download the exam guide
  

• AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty Exam Guide (formerly AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty)

  The AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty certification has two important updates. The certification will have a new name, AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty, along with an updated exam version.
  
  Why the name change? Data Analytics and Big Data represent a rapidly changing field. The term “data analytics” more closely aligns with language we hear from our customers and our AWS offerings, so we are changing the name of the certification in response.
  
  The AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty certification validates expertise working with AWS services to design, build, secure, and maintain analytics solutions.
  
  The beta exam will be available through January 10, 2020. Standard availability for this exam version is expected in April 2020.
  
  The current AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty exam will be available throughout this beta period and until the new standard version is released in April 2020. AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty certifications will remain active for the entirety of the standard three-year validity period.
  
  
  Download the exam guide
  

Current Beta Exams

FAQ

• What is an exam guide?

  AWS Certification exam guides include the content outline and relevant details for a certification exam. Creating an exam guide is a critical component in our rigorous process for industry-recognized exams and credentials.

• Why is there a new exam guide for an existing AWS Certification?

  We develop new exam outlines to maintain the currency of our certification exams. We also provide a revised exam guide when an outline changes.
  

• For exams with new versions that are coming soon, which exam should I take?

  We encourage candidates to review exam guides carefully and consider how long they need to prepare for an exam. They should also consider exam availability dates when making a decision about which version to take. Passing a beta exam or standard exam will result in earning an AWS Certification valid for three years.

• How frequently are exams updated?

  AWS Certifications are designed to validate experience and knowledge of current AWS technology and best practices. Domains and objectives for each certification are carefully created by AWS subject matter experts. Once a certification is available, exams are refreshed on an ongoing basis. AWS subject matter experts will update domains and objectives as needed to reflect new AWS technology or best practices. The frequency varies by exam. If you’re interested in taking part in our rigorous approach to creating and updating our exams, learn more about our SME program.

• What is a beta exam?

  AWS Certification uses beta exams to test exam item performance before use in a live exam. An exam goes through the beta process before the exam is launched for the first time. AWS Certification also completes a beta process when an exam outline changes.

• What is the benefit of taking a beta exam?

  Beta candidates have the opportunity to take the newest exams first and to participate in data gathering about the performance of exam questions. For new exams, candidates who pass the exam can be among the first to hold the new certification. In addition, beta exams are typically offered at 50% off standard exam pricing.

• What happens if I pass the beta?

  Candidates who pass the beta exam will be awarded the AWS Certification once scores are released, typically 90 days from the end of the beta period. Your certification will be valid for three years from the day scores are released.

• What happens if I do not pass the beta exam?

  Individuals who participate in beta exams but do not pass can retake the exam once the standard version is released. A passing score on the beta or standard exam is required to earn the certification.

• Why is there a beta exam for an existing AWS Certification exam?

  We develop new exam outlines to maintain the currency of our certification exams and provide a revised exam guide when an outline changes. A beta period for the updated version allows us to gather statistical information about new questions that fit the new outline.  

• Where do I take the beta exam?

  Beta exams are delivered by our testing vendors, PSI and Pearson VUE. Testing centers are available in thousands of locations across the globe. You can access a list of the available testing centers in your area with available dates and times during the exam scheduling process.

• Why is beta registration limited?

  We offer beta versions of new exams in order to gather statistical information about new questions that fit the new outline. Once we reach our capacity for this statistical analysis, we may close registration for a given beta exam. Anyone who has already registered will have the opportunity to complete their beta exam as scheduled.

• What languages are beta exams available in?

  Beta exams are available only in English. We anticipate more languages will be available once the exam is released in full.

• What prerequisites are required to take these beta exams?

  There are no prerequisites for our AWS Certification exams, including beta exams. In October 2018, we removed prerequisites to give candidates more flexibility for our exams.