A closer look at AWS Certification exam security

Here at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Training and Certification, we understand that the credibility of AWS Certifications is important to you and your career goals. You worked hard to build the knowledge and skills required to earn the certification, and you value the recognition and opportunities that come with your credential. AWS Certified individuals often ask us how we protect the integrity of AWS Certifications. AWS has a team of test security experts who have developed proactive measures to deter, detect, and prevent fraudulent testing activities. This blog provides insights into some of our exam security approaches.

Security measures for AWS Certification exams

On your AWS Certification journey, you likely noticed some security measures, such as providing an ID and, if you took the exam at home, showing your testing area to the proctor. However, these are not the only techniques and methodologies we use. Here are several ways we maintain the integrity of AWS Certifications:

Rules, policies, procedures, and proctoring

To maintain the high bar for earning an AWS Certification, we have rules, policies, and procedures in place, and our teams of trained proctors are entrusted to enforce them. One of the most common questions we get is, “Why is there a different rule for leaving the test area at a test center compared to taking the test online?” The reason is that at physical test centers, there are proctors who are specially trained to monitor all allowed areas and ensure candidates don’t access anything that may give them an unfair advantage on an exam. This isn’t the case when a candidate tests from home. There’s currently no realistic way for online proctors to provide the same level of reassurance when a candidate is out of view of the camera. As a result, candidates need to remain in the view of the camera during the online exam.

Data forensics analysis

AWS employs a series of statistical techniques to detect unusual testing behaviors that may not be visible to a proctor. AWS’s team of experts in the field of test measurement developed our techniques and executed rigorous testing to verify these techniques’ effectiveness and accuracy. For security reasons, we can’t share the exact manner in which we analyze testing behavior. Based on published industry research and testing by experts in the field, the odds that a valid exam result would meet the conditions for invalidation are 1 in 1,000,000 or less. If our analysis indicates this kind of statistical anomaly, AWS may invalidate that exam result. Our exam security policy outlines the additional measures we may take when we do detect unusual testing behavior.

Digital Badges

Digital badges provide a convenient way to show your network and employer that you have an AWS Certification. You can easily share your digital badge on social media or in your email signature. Digital badges also provide added security by ensuring badges are used by only those who earned them. With the ability to access a digital badge from an email or a resume, employers can verify AWS Certifications with just a few clicks.

You

It may be cliché to say, but it’s true: you’re an important part of our exam security strategy. We invite you to share any exam security concerns with our team. We value your input and perspective.

Whether you’re taking your first exam or your next exam, you’ll see our security measures in action at every step. To bring a tip, concern, or comment to the attention of the AWS Training and Certification Exam Security Team, reach us at aws-exam-security@amazon.com. For more information on rules, polices, and procedures for AWS Certification exams, visit our website.

About AWS Certifications

Getting AWS Certified can help you showcase in-demand skills so you can grow your career and continue to develop as a professional. AWS Certifications also help organizations build effective, innovative teams for cloud initiatives using AWS. AWS offers 11 cloud-related certifications in areas such as cloud architecture, cloud-based application development, operating systems, networking, machine learning, and cloud security. Learn more about AWS Certifications here.