Certifications
AWS Exam Retake Policy: How Long You Wait, What It Costs and How Many Tries You Get
If you fail an AWS certification exam you must wait 14 calendar days before retaking it. There is no limit on attempts, but you pay the full exam fee every time. After you pass, you cannot retake the same exam for two years.
The retake rules at a glance
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| You failed the exam | Wait 14 calendar days before you are eligible to retake it. |
| How many attempts | There is no limit on exam attempts. |
| Fee | You pay the full registration fee for each attempt. |
| You passed the exam | You cannot retake the same exam for two years. |
| The exam was updated | If the exam has a new exam guide and a new exam series code, you are eligible to take the new version. |
Source: aws.amazon.com/certification/faqs/
When do you get your result?
Most AWS Certification exams do not show a pass or fail result on screen when you finish. Your detailed results are available within five business days in your AWS Certification Account, under Exam History. If you pass, you may receive the Credly digital badge email before the results are posted.
Each retake costs the full fee (see AWS certification costs by level), so it pays to use the waiting time well.
How to use the 14 days
Your score report can include a table that classifies your performance in each section of the exam. Use it to decide where to spend the two weeks.
- Compare the report with the domain weights. A weak result in a heavily weighted domain matters most. For Security Specialty, IAM is 20% of the exam (see the SCS-C03 domains).
- Rebuild the weak topics from official sources. Our study topics link every fact to the AWS page it comes from.
- Practice by domain. Take short tests on the weak domain, read each explanation and send mistakes to the incorrect questions bank.
- Finish with a timed run. Take a full-length test in exam mode a few days before your new appointment.
Rescheduling and missed appointments
You can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment without additional fees. Inside the 24-hour window you can no longer cancel or reschedule, and if you miss your appointment you forfeit the exam fee. A medical exception exists; check the official policy. More in how to schedule an AWS exam.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I retake an AWS exam?
After 14 calendar days.
Is there a limit on how many times I can retake an AWS exam?
No. There is no limit on attempts, but every attempt requires the full registration fee.
Can I retake an exam I already passed?
Not for two years. If the exam gets a new exam guide and exam series code, you can take the new version.
Will I see my result right after the exam?
Most AWS exams do not display pass or fail at the end. Detailed results appear in your AWS Certification Account within five business days.
Sources
AWS updates its programs and documentation. Check the linked official pages for the latest details before you decide or pay.
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