Certifications
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) Exam Guide: Format, Cost and Domains
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) has 65 questions in 130 minutes, costs 150 USD and needs a scaled score of 720 out of 1,000 to pass. AWS expects at least 1 year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions that use AWS services.
SAA-C03 at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Level | Associate |
| Questions | 65, either multiple choice or multiple response (50 scored, 15 unscored) |
| Duration | 130 minutes, exactly 2 minutes per question |
| Cost | 150 USD |
| Passing score | 720, on a scaled score of 100 to 1,000 |
| Result | Pass or fail, with compensatory scoring |
Source: aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-associate/
AWS says the exam is intended for individuals who perform a solutions architect role, and validates the ability to design solutions based on the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
The four exam domains
| Domain | Weight (scored content) |
|---|---|
| Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures | 30% |
| Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures | 26% |
| Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures | 24% |
| Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures | 20% |
Security is the heaviest domain at 30%. If you want to go deeper on security later, see the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam guide.
Who the exam is for
The target candidate should have at least 1 year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions that use AWS services. For the general experience AWS recommends by level, see which AWS certification to take first.
- Question types: multiple choice and multiple response.
- There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered questions are scored as incorrect.
- Fifteen of the 65 questions are unscored and are not identified.
How it compares with two other AWS exams
| Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) | Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) | Security – Specialty (SCS-C03) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Foundational | Associate | Specialty |
| Questions | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 130 minutes | 170 minutes |
| Cost | 100 USD | 150 USD | 300 USD |
| Passing score | 700 | 720 | 750 |
| Experience AWS describes | Up to 6 months of exposure | At least 1 year designing AWS solutions | 3–5 years securing cloud solutions |
Source: aws.amazon.com/certification/
What to do next
- Check prices and booking: AWS certification costs and how to schedule an AWS exam.
- Understand the other levels in AWS certification levels explained.
- Plan renewal after three years: AWS certification renewal.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Solutions Architect Associate exam?
130 minutes for 65 questions.
What is the passing score for SAA-C03?
720 on a scaled score of 100 to 1,000.
How much does the SAA-C03 exam cost?
150 USD.
How much experience does AWS expect?
At least 1 year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions that use AWS services.
Sources
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam guide (SAA-C03)
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (AWS)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam guide (CLF-C02)
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam guide (SCS-C03)
AWS updates its programs and documentation. Check the linked official pages for the latest details before you decide or pay.
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