AWS Certified Developer Associate: How To Pass The Exam

Exam Details and Requirements

The AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam consists of 65 questions, which are either multiple-choice (one correct answer) or multiple-response (multiple correct answers). Of these, 15 are unscored, meaning they won’t affect your final score.

Candidates are allowed 130 minutes to complete the exam, and non-native English speakers can request an additional 30 minutes​. To pass, you need to score 720 out of 1000. The exam costs $150 USD and can be taken at a testing center or online.

The exam is available in multiple languages: English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America). Note that French and Italian will no longer be available after November 5, 2024.

The questions primarily test two main abilities: developing secure applications using AWS service APIs, the AWS CLI, and SDKs and deploying them using CI/CD pipelines. The exact syllabus is detailed in the later section.

The certification is valid for 3 years. You can recertify by passing the latest exam version or earning the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer—Professional certification, which automatically renews your AWS Developer Associate certificate.

Here’s a summary of the most important details about the certification:

Domains covered

The exam is structured around four primary domains. The concepts that may be tested within each domain are detailed below:

• Development with AWS services (32% of scored content)
• Build applications with AWS: Using AWS serverless architecture models, APIs, and AWS SDKs to enable interaction with AWS services and data streams.
• AWS Lambda: Configuring and integrating Lambda functions into AWS services. Knowledge of tools like AWS Lambda console, AWS CLI, and SDKs.
• Data stores: Using data caching services, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon S3 tiers, and managing data lifecycles. 

• Security (26% of scored content)
• Authentication: Implement federated access using Amazon Cognito or AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) and configure programmatic and role-based access controls.
• Encryption: Use AWS Key Management Service (KMS) to create and manage encryption keys and deploy SSL/TLS certificates to encrypt data during transit.
• Sensitive data: Rotate and manage secrets using AWS Secrets Manager and encrypt environment variables that contain private data.

• Deployment (24% of scored content)
• Deploy on AWS: Understand AWS AppConfig, version control to track deployment changes, and container images to deploy applications across environments. 
• Test in production environments: Understand AWS tools available for monitoring, debugging, and testing applications, such as AWS CloudWatch, AWS X-Ray, and Amazon API Gateway Mock Integration.
• Automate testing: Learn to create test events and application environments for integration testing.

• Troubleshooting and optimization (18% of scored content)
• Knowledge of logging and monitoring systems, Amazon CloudWatch Logs Insights, concurrency, and caching.

Prerequisites

• One or more years of hands-on experience designing, developing, and maintaining applications using AWS services. 
• Proficiency in at least one high-level programming language like Java, C++, C#, or Python.
• Ability to transcribe apps via Amazon Web service SDKs, APIs, and AWS CLI.

How To Pass the Exam?

Learning how to prepare for the AWS certification efficiently can increase your chances of passing and earning the certification.

Step 1: Understand the exam from the official portal 

Before signing up for the exam, it’s important you do your own research about the certification and exam details. 

On the official website, you’ll find exam details like cost, duration, test options, and more. Moreover, the official exam guide provides complete exam content detailing the domains and subdomains covered. 

Step 2: Refresh your AWS concepts

To pass this certification, a solid foundation in AWS is essential. Whether you’re just starting out or have some experience, make sure to study the core AWS topics thoroughly. You can practice with AWS Builder Labs, AWS Cloud Quest, and AWS Jam to gain hands-on experience.

Step 3: Prepare certification specific topics 

Once you have mastered the AWS basics, you should gain an in-depth knowledge of all the topics mentioned in the official exam guide. 

There are many online training resources specifically designed for this certification. These resources can simplify your preparation, as they are tailored to the exam's format, syllabus, and objectives.

Step 4: Practice mock tests 

Taking exam-simulated mock tests and practice mode exercises is an important step in your preparation. Domain-specific practice exercises help you understand your strong and weak areas, allowing you to go the extra mile in improving them.

Suggested Study Plan

The AWS Certified Developer - Associate certification usually takes 2-3 months to prepare for, depending on your existing skills and knowledge. Below is a 10-week study plan, which you can adjust based on your schedule and learning pace.

Recommended Study Materials

Below, I’ve compiled a list of effective resources for earning the AWS Developer Associate certification.

AWS whitepapers

AWS experts and the community write whitepapers to explain complex cloud concepts with understandable insights. These papers are documented to help cloud enthusiasts, developers, and architects deeply understand AWS services. 

Here are some relevant whitepapers that are useful for this certification exam:

• AWS Well-Architected Framework
• AWS Serverless Multi-Tier Architectures with Amazon API Gateway and AWS Lambda
• Optimizing Enterprise Economics with Serverless Architectures

Online courses

Online courses make self-study easier. Plenty of online courses are well structured and designed for AWS certifications. 

DataCamp offers some great courses that provide in-depth knowledge of AWS. Here are some:

• For AWS basics: Introduction to AWS
• For AWS security, governance, and cost optimization: AWS Security and Cost Management 
• To learn AWS cloud technology practically: AWS Cloud Technology and Services
• For streaming data with AWS: Streaming Data with AWS Kinesis and Lambda 

Practice mock tests

Hands-on practice is crucial for success in AWS certification exams. Let’s review some valuable resources that can boost your preparation through practice exercises:

• Explore AWS official courses that offer practice tests and exam-style questions.
• Complete the official mock exam from AWS.

Tips for Success on the Exam Day

You don’t want to ruin all your hard work and preparation, whether due to arriving late or losing focus during the exam. So, here are some top tips for exam-day success.

Time management

Effective time management is crucial from the moment you book your exam until you complete it.

If you're taking the exam at a testing center, leave home early to give yourself plenty of time to settle in. For online exams, set up your workspace in advance and ensure everything is functioning properly. This helps you avoid last-minute issues and ensures you're ready on time.

During the exam, you'll have 130 minutes to answer 60 questions, so managing your time wisely is key. If a question takes too long, skip it and move on to avoid running out of time.

Stay calm and focused

Performance anxiety can lower your score, even if you’re capable of doing better. If you have covered all exam topics, gone through the practice questions, and studied hard, you’re all set to pass the certification! 

So stay calm and relaxed on exam day. A beating heart will not help; it will only make things more challenging. 

Read each question carefully

If possible, quickly scan the entire test before you dive into individual questions. This helps you understand the structure and plan your time effectively, ensuring you give enough time to each question.

Since the exam tests multiple-choice and multi-response questions, read each question and available options carefully to select the correct answer.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate Exam Preparation Checklist

This checklist can help keep you on track and ensure you’re fully prepared for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam:

1. Understand the exam requirements

• ✅ Review the official AWS certification page for exam details (cost, format, duration).
• ✅ Download and read the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam guide.
• ✅ Check the domains and subdomains covered in the exam.

2. Create a study plan

• ✅ Set a timeline for 2-3 months (or adjust according to your pace).
• ✅ Break the exam domains into weekly study goals.
• ✅ Allocate time for mock tests and revision.

3. Review AWS basics

• ✅ Gain hands-on experience with key AWS services (e.g., EC2, Lambda, S3, DynamoDB).
• ✅ Practice using AWS CLI and SDKs.
• ✅ Familiarize yourself with core AWS topics: compute, storage, networking, and security.

4. Strengthen certification-specific topics

• ✅ Study each domain thoroughly (development, security, deployment, troubleshooting).
• ✅ Focus on serverless architecture, APIs, and deployment strategies.
• ✅ Study security topics like AWS IAM, KMS, encryption, and role-based access.

5. Hands-on practice

• ✅ Complete hands-on labs with AWS services like Lambda, API Gateway, and CI/CD tools.
• ✅ Set up and deploy applications using AWS services.
• ✅ Practice building and testing AWS-based solutions.

6. Use online resources

• ✅ Enroll in an AWS Developer Associate training course (e.g., from DataCamp or AWS Training).
• ✅ Review AWS whitepapers relevant to the exam (e.g., AWS Security Best Practices, Well-Architected Framework).
• ✅ Leverage AWS Jam, AWS Builder Labs, and other interactive learning tools.

7. Take mock tests

• ✅ Take official AWS practice exams and review your performance.
• ✅ Analyze weak areas and revisit challenging topics.
• ✅ Practice managing time effectively during mock exams.

8. Prepare for exam day

• ✅ Familiarize yourself with the exam format (multiple-choice and multiple-response).
• ✅ Plan to arrive at the testing center early or set up your workspace for the online exam.

9. Last-minute review

• ✅ Review concepts, AWS services, and commonly asked exam questions.
• ✅ Stay calm, focused, and confident as exam day approaches.

Conclusion

The AWS Certified Developer Associate certification is a powerful way to showcase your expertise with AWS services and tools. Earning this certification can distinguish you in the job market, equipping you with skills to design, deploy, and manage scalable cloud applications.

Ready to take the first step? Begin your cloud journey with Datacamp’s AWS introductory course.