How to Pass AWS & GCP Global Certifications

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Sorry haven’t posting for a long time, been too busy lately. Long story short, I take 2 global certifications at the end of 2022 which is AWS Cloud Developer - Associate & GCP Cloud Engineer and 2 global certifications this year which is AWS Solutions Architect - Associate & AWS Cloud Practitioner. Today i will write a few tips that might be useful for anyone who will take global certifications in the IT industry, especially the cloud computing area ☁️

Certification Overview 🦅

Above is a picture of all available AWS certifications. For AWS Cloud Developer & Solutions Solution Architect - Associate cost $150 USD with 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple response & 130 minute exam length. For AWS Cloud Practitioner cost $100 USD with 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple response & 90 minute exam length.


Above is a picture of all available GCP certifications. For GCP Cloud Engineer cost $125 USD with 50 multiple choice and multiple select questions & 120 minute exam length.

I did all the exams online, not at the test center. AWS use PearsonVue & Google Cloud use Kryterion. All certifications is valid for 3 years.

Certifications Tips 🚦

  • Prepare at least 2 weeks, minimum!. Anything less than that is awful. I don’t recommend it, especially for people who have full time jobs & side jobs.
  • Strengthen fundamentals & read the exam guide from offical docs. Example: SAA-C003
  • Optional. If you have more time, practice on a real cloud console.
  • Mandatory! Take practical exam. I buy AWS Practical exam from Neal Davis & buy GCP one from gCloud Learn or if the company wants to pay more to get thousand practical exam Exam Topics could be an option. In my opinion, high quality knowledge is expensive, so I don’t hesitate to buy structured material from experts who are competent in their field. If you want the free one, that’s up to you.
  • Repeat the practical exam and take a note to collect what material that is difficult & often comes up.
  • Deep dive into that material (the most difficult & often comes up). Enrich the material from various sources.
  • Lastly, study every day, even a little, never skip studying. This is what I implement.

Attention for online exams! 🚩

  • Use a wired internet connection, don’t use wifi
  • Prepare a conducive room. Quiet & private !
  • Do not wear a watch
  • Put away cellphones, drinks, food and suspicious equipment, make sure the exam table is clean from anything.
  • Make sure the webcam works well and can be rotated to show around the room. The proctor will definitely ask about this. So get ready.
  • For Macbook users, who don’t have an ethernet port, please use high quality adapter & high performance LAN cable too. I use Ugreen products for both. This 2 items are very critical for supporting connections during online exams, so make sure you choose the best ones!
  • Prepare your ID Card / Driving License / Passport for verification process before exam start
  • Don’t mumble / read the exam questions aloud even in small voice. Proctor will immediately reprimand you if that happens.

Recap 🔖

On 2024 my target is to get 2 Azure certifications cause my current company is very massive using Azure technology lately. Hope the target achieved so i can share about azure exam here too. Hope you also pass whatever certification you are going to take, the important thing is don’t forget to set your target, keep learning & keep adapting in IT industry. Good luck 💪👋

Update (5 march 2024) 🚨

On 5 march 2024 there is an urgent company need. I must skip Azure cert preparation for take AWS Devops Engineer Professional Exam. I didn’t expect that, very not confident to take that exam cause the exam was extremely difficult & expensive $333 USD including tax. Fortunately I passed, Alhamdulillah.

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Hopefully my next exam will be Azure AZ-204 and AZ-400 so i can share to you later, like i said before.