Table of Contents
AWS Certified Developer – Associate Exam Overview
Struggling to understand what it takes to earn the AWS Certified Developer – Associate credential? This exam overview cuts through the noise and gives you a clear plan to get AWS certified with confidence.
What Is the AWS Certified Developer – Associate Certification?
The AWS Certified Developer – Associate certification (DVA-C02) validates your ability to develop, test, deploy, and optimize applications using AWS Cloud technologies. It is a foundational Associate-level credential designed for individuals who write code that interacts with AWS services.
This certification demonstrates that you can build secure, scalable cloud-native applications on AWS, utilize CI/CD pipelines, and troubleshoot issues in distributed environments. It’s ideal for software developers, backend engineers, DevOps professionals, and cloud practitioners focused on app development.
Who Should Take This Certification?
This certification is perfect for:
- Software Developers and Engineers building apps with AWS SDKs and APIs
- DevOps Engineers working on CI/CD workflows in AWS
- Cloud Application Developers and Backend Engineers
- Technical professionals transitioning into AWS developer roles
- Students or early-career individuals seeking cloud validation for AWS
While previous experience is beneficial, even those new to AWS can succeed with targeted preparation and practical training resources.
What Roles Benefits from This Certification?
Professionals who successfully earn the AWS Certified Developer – Associate are qualified for job roles such as:
- AWS Cloud Developer
- Cloud Software Engineer
- DevOps Engineer
- Backend Developer
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Systems Integrator (Cloud Applications)
- Application Architect
Earning this certification can open doors to emerging cloud development positions across startups, enterprise teams, and cloud-native environments.
What Version of the Exam is Current?
The current exam version is DVA-C02. It replaces the older DVA-C01 exam model and reflects updated services and skills relevant to modern AWS app development.
How Much Does the Exam Cost?
The cost for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam is $150 USD. Pricing may vary based on currency exchange rates. AWS also offers a 50% voucher for your next exam after passing one AWS certification, which is helpful when pursuing other AWS credentials.
How Many Questions Are on the Exam?
The AWS Developer Associate certification exam contains 65 questions. These consist of multiple-choice and multiple-response items designed to test both conceptual knowledge and practical application of AWS services.
How Much Time Is Given?
You have 130 minutes to complete the exam. This duration is designed to give candidates adequate time to answer scenario-based questions and analyze multiple-answer options.
What Languages Is the Exam Offered In?
The exam is currently available in:
- English
- Japanese
- Korean
- Simplified Chinese
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Spanish (Latin America)
What’s the Passing Score?
The passing score is 720/1000. The score is scaled to ensure consistency across different exam versions. The exam uses a compensatory scoring model, so you do not need to pass each domain – only the overall exam.
Is the Exam Difficult?
This is an Associate-level certification, but don’t let that label fool you.
The exam challenges you to apply AWS knowledge in real-world development settings. It covers best practices for IAM permissions, Lambda performance tuning, CI/CD deployments, and secure coding techniques.
To pass confidently, you’ll need hands-on AWS experience, a solid study plan, and access to industry-grade AWS Developer Associate practice exams that reflect the real exam complexity and format.
What Domains Are Covered On the Exam?
Topics are organized into four weighted domains:
- Development with AWS Services (32%)
- SDK/API integration
- Serverless application development with Lambda
- Handling API requests, queues, and messaging
- Data persistence and stream processing
- Security (26%)
- IAM roles, policies, and access controls
- Secure access to AWS services
- Federation, STS, tokens, and least privilege
- Secret management and encryption
- Deployment (24%)
- CI/CD pipeline workflows with CodePipeline, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy
- Infrastructure as Code using SAM and CloudFormation
- Managing test environments and release strategies
- Application package preparation and deployment automation
- Troubleshooting and Optimization (18%)
- Logging and monitoring using CloudWatch and X-Ray
- Debugging Lambda errors
- Optimizing app performance and concurrency
- Troubleshooting deployment failures
Are There Any Prerequisites?
There are no formal prerequisites to take the exam. However, AWS strongly recommends you have:
- At least 1 year of hands-on experience with AWS services
- Proficiency in a high-level programming language (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript, Go)
- Familiarity with application lifecycle development
- Understanding of cloud-native and event-driven development
- Experience using AWS SDKs, the AWS CLI, and infrastructure tools
For newcomers, consider starting with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner to build foundational knowledge before attempting the Developer Associate exam.
What Skills Should I Focus On?
To prepare effectively, focus on these core skill domains:
- Application Development
- Lambda function configuration and tuning
- Building APIs with API Gateway
- Using queues and events for async processing
- Security Best Practices
- Configuring IAM roles and policies
- Managing secrets and credentials securely
- Implementing encryption in transit and at rest
- CI/CD
- Automating builds and deployments with AWS services
- Creating reproducible environments
- Using configuration management tools
- Monitoring and Debugging
- Interpreting logs and metrics in CloudWatch
- Performing root cause analysis using CloudWatch and X-Ray
- Writing observable, reliable code
- Data Storage and Access
- Interfacing with DynamoDB and RDS
- Data lifecycle, consistency, and indexing
- Using S3 storage classes and access patterns
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Successful candidates warn against:
- Neglecting hands-on labs in building Lambda, API Gateway, and storage integrations
- Failing to simulate CI/CD workflows using AWS CodePipeline and CodeDeploy
- Overconfidence in IAM basics, without mastering least privilege and tokens
- Ignoring observability tools such as X-Ray or Custom CloudWatch metrics
- Not taking realistic AWS Developer Associate practice exams under timed conditions
Ensure you balance passive study with trial-and-error in the AWS console and developer tools.
How Should I Prepare for the Exam?
AWS offers a structured preparation path through its AWS Skill Builder platform. You can also use the following methods:
- Training Materials
- Take free and paid digital courses on AWS Skill Builder
- Use AWS JAM, Builder Labs, CloudQuest & instructor-led content
- Hands-On Learning
- Set up and deploy CI/CD using CodePipeline
- Write Lambda functions that handle real data workflows
- Implement authentication and authorization with IAM and Cognito
- Practice Exams
- Take official AWS practice questions
- Drill realistic, timed AWS Developer Associate practice tests to master the format
- Use flashcards and test-taking resources to improve recall
How Long Is This Certification Valid?
The AWS Certified Developer – Associate certification is valid for 3 years from the date you pass. To maintain your certification:
- Retake the updated version of the exam before the expiry date
- Or pass the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional exam to automatically recertify this cert
What Should I Take After Earning This Certification?
After you’ve earned this Associate-level credential, consider leveling up with:
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional: For advanced CI/CD and infrastructure automation skills
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: If you want to pivot into operations or platform roles
- AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate: To explore ML-ready data pipeline construction and delivery
Each path helps you further specialize in AWS cloud-based career tracks.
Where Can I Take the Exam?
You can take the exam either:
- Online Proctored: Remotely from home or office with a webcam and a quiet testing environment
- In-Person: At a Pearson VUE testing center in your area
All options are officially monitored and require valid ID verification.
How Do I Register?
To register:
- Go to the official AWS Certified Developer – Associate certification page
- Click “Schedule Exam”
- Choose between online or test center options
- Pick an available date and time slot
- Pay securely to confirm your appointment
- Read the exam-day checklist sent to your email
What If I Don’t Pass?
If you don’t pass the exam:
- You can retake the exam after a 14-day waiting period
- Use your score report to identify weak areas
- Review training resources and study using targeted practice exams
- Focus on the domains with the most weight and strategic value
Persistence and smart prep strategies will help you succeed next time.
This exam overview is your essential companion in preparing for the AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam. By focusing on real-world skills, steady practice, and professional-grade AWS practice exams, you’ll be ready to earn your credential with confidence.
