AWS Training and Certification Blog
AWS Certification: Addition of new exam question types
We are excited to announce that AWS Certification will introduce three new question types: ordering, matching, and case study. Combined with the existing multiple-choice questions and multiple-response questions, the new question types are designed to reduce your reading time and test additional critical concepts. The first exams to include these new question types are AWS Certified AI Practitioner and AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate. This blog post shares insights about the new question types and offers information to help you prepare.
Why the addition of new question types?
Ordering and matching questions provide a more efficient way to test procedural and pairing knowledge than multiple-choice and multiple-response questions provide. Case studies offer multiple questions about a single scenario, meaning that you won’t need to read a new scenario for every question. Each ordering, matching, and case study question will have the same scoring value as a multiple-choice or multiple-response question. The new question types will be mixed in with the multiple-choice and multiple-response questions throughout the exam.
Sean Jude Lyons, an AI/ML consultant for Blackbook.ai, was among the subject matter experts who helped create the new questions.
Lyons explains, “The ordering, matching, and case study questions go beyond simple recall. Candidates are going to find themselves critically thinking and applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The case studies included in the exam simulate real-world challenges, requiring candidates to navigate complex problems, apply critical thinking, and develop effective solutions.”
The addition of the new question types will not result in significant changes to exams. The total number of exam questions and standard allotted time will remain the same. Your score report will continue to include a result of pass or fail, a percentage score by blueprint domain, and a competency rating by domain. You will not receive information about your performance by question type.
You can demo the test-taking experience for these new question types through our test delivery provider, Pearson VUE. The demo will be available in August 2024.
During your exam, you can provide feedback about the new question types in the comments field at the top left corner of each exam question. Additionally, you can provide general feedback in the survey at the end of the exam.
What to expect: New question types
Ordering questions
Ordering questions require you to place a series of steps or a list of responses into a logical order. You will use a drop down mechanism to select the correct order for a list of 3–6 responses to complete a specified task.
In some questions, you will use all the response options. In other questions, you will use only some of the response options. The instructions in the question will indicate how many responses you need to select and order. You must select all the correct responses and place the responses in the correct order to receive credit for the question.
Customers who provided feedback about sample ordering questions made the following observations:
- “The ordering format made it feel like less work to spot the difference between the multiple-choice options. The focus is more on technical knowledge rather than reading comprehension.”
- “The ordering format forces you to have great knowledge of the topics. With multiple choice, you can eliminate the wrong options and remain with the correct answer without thorough knowledge of the topic.”
- “I think ordering questions have the same effect as multiple choice, but with less text to read. It makes the question clear and easy to answer.”
The following screenshot shows an ordering question:
Matching questions
Matching questions include a list of 3–6 prompts and a list of responses to match with the prompts. You will use a drop down mechanism to select the correct response for each prompt.
In some questions, you will use each response one time. In other questions, you will use responses multiple times or not at all. The instructions in the question will indicate how many times to use the responses. You must choose the correct response for each prompt to receive credit for the whole question.
Customers who provided feedback about sample matching questions made the following observations:
- “Matching questions add a bit more variety to the standard multiple-choice questions. I can fill in the answers as I am reading the question.”
- “Matching questions are amazing and provide a good way to compare options.”
The following screenshot shows a matching question:
Case study questions
For case study questions, you will read a scenario and answer two or more questions about the scenario. The scenario is the same for each question in the case study. Each question in the case study will be evaluated separately. You will receive credit for each question that you answer correctly in the case study.
The following two screenshots show an example of a case study:
Exam preparation
To help you prepare for the new question types, AWS Official Exam Prep resources will include ordering, matching, and case study practice questions. You can gain confidence in your exam preparation by following AWS Skill Builder’s four-step exam prep plan. Enroll in the complete plan or choose specific courses tailored to your needs to get ready for exam day.