Security Specialty

AWS Security Specialty Exam Tips: 12 Things to Know Before Test Day

Updated October 2026 · 2 min read · Based on official AWS documentation

1. Know the numbers

65 questions, 170 minutes and a minimum passing score of 750 on a scale of 100 to 1,000. That is roughly 2 minutes 37 seconds per question if you spread the time evenly. The exam costs 300 USD; see AWS certification costs.

2. Fifteen questions do not count

AWS includes 15 unscored questions that it uses to evaluate future content, and they are not identified. If a question looks odd or off-syllabus, do not let it rattle you: it may be one of them.

3. Never leave a question blank

There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered questions are scored as incorrect. Always pick your best answer.

4. You only have to pass overall

The scoring model is compensatory: you do not need a passing score in each section, only on the exam as a whole. Still, domains differ in weight, so a weak IAM result (20%) hurts more than a weak Governance result (14%). See the domain weights.

5. Ordering and matching need every item right

The exam can include multiple choice, multiple response, ordering and matching questions. For ordering and matching, AWS says you must get the whole answer correct to receive credit, so slow down on those.

6. Read the requirement words

This is a test-taking tip, not an AWS rule. Underline words like "most secure", "least operational overhead", "without changing the application" and "across all accounts". Two options are often technically valid, and the requirement words decide which one wins.

7. Budget your time

Another editorial tip: do not sink more than about three minutes into one question. Choose your best answer and move on, then use leftover time to revisit hard ones. A timed run in exam mode trains this pacing.

8. Memorize the rules that decide many questions

• An explicit Deny always wins; SCPs and permissions boundaries limit but never grant. See IAM policy evaluation.
• A KMS key policy does not give the account access automatically. See AWS KMS notes.
• Security groups are stateful; NACLs are stateless. See network security notes.

9. Know the look-alike pairs

• GuardDuty vs Inspector vs Macie vs Security Hub
• KMS vs CloudHSM
• WAF vs Shield vs Network Firewall vs Firewall Manager
• Secrets Manager vs Parameter Store

10. Skip what is out of scope

AWS says a candidate would not be asked about setting up replication for an S3 bucket, but might be asked about an S3 bucket policy. Focus on the security side of each service. See the official in-scope services list.

11. Plan the logistics

You book through Pearson VUE, online or at a test center. You can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before without fees, and non-native English speakers can request 30 extra minutes. Details in how to schedule an AWS exam.

12. Know what happens after

Most AWS exams do not show pass or fail on screen. Detailed results arrive within five business days. If you do not pass, you can retake after 14 calendar days by paying the full fee again; see the retake policy.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• SCS-C03 exam guide (AWS)
• AWS Certification FAQs

AWS updates its programs and documentation. Check the linked official pages for the latest details before you decide or pay.

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