AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) quick overview covering exam domains, format, cost, passing score, key AWS services, and study strategies to help you prepare effectively.
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification is your springboard to designing scalable, reliable, and secure AWS solutions with confidence. This quick overview brings together everything you need to know to move forward with purpose and clarity as you prepare to validate your cloud architecture expertise.
How does the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification help you grow as a cloud professional?
This certification demonstrates your ability to design architectures that are secure, resilient, high performing, and cost optimized on AWS. It’s ideal for professionals who build and manage cloud solutions, from developers aspiring to become architects to experienced engineers refining their design strategies. Through this exam, you will strengthen your understanding of core AWS architectural principles and learn to apply the Well-Architected Framework to create practical, production-ready designs.
Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)
Exam Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures (30% of the exam)
Design secure access to AWS resources
Access controls and management across multiple accounts
Federated access and identity services such as IAM and IAM Identity Center
AWS global infrastructure concepts like Regions and Availability Zones
AWS security best practices including the principle of least privilege
Shared responsibility model awareness
Applying security best practices to IAM users and root user
Designing authorization models with IAM entities
Role-based access control strategy using STS and cross-account access
Designing security for multiple AWS accounts with Control Tower and SCPs
Determining use cases for resource policies
Knowing when to federate directory services with IAM roles
Summary: This section ensures you master how AWS identity and access management tools work together to protect resources. You’ll learn to design structures that scale securely across multiple accounts while maintaining centralized governance and delegated access. Particular attention is paid to optimally using policies, roles, and groups for a well-structured, least privilege access strategy that aligns to business requirements.
At a deeper level, you will explore how to apply federation, service control policies, and multi-account designs to simplify permissions across large environments. You will also learn the practical elements of IAM Identity Center, how to secure root accounts with MFA, and how to integrate AWS security concepts into everyday architecture decisions for a strong organizational security posture.
Design secure workloads and applications
Application configuration and credential security
Secure AWS service endpoints and traffic control
Designing secure VPCs with subnets, ACLs, and NAT gateways
AWS security services such as Cognito, GuardDuty, and Macie
Understanding external threat vectors including DDoS and SQL injection
Integrating AWS services for application security protections like Shield and WAF
Securing external connections using VPN and Direct Connect
Implementing segmentation through public and private subnets
Summary: This section focuses on securing your workloads and applications running on AWS. You’ll identify key services and architectural patterns used to protect traffic, manage credentials, and safeguard data flows in and out of networks. Learning how to apply network segmentation and service-level security features helps you build secure, compliant, and responsive systems that meet organizational goals.
You’ll also gain hands-on understanding of how AWS services like WAF, Shield, Cognito, and Macie can be woven into your architectures to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate threats. This knowledge enables you to confidently design applications that use encryption, proper endpoint management, and controlled connectivity to maintain end-to-end protection within AWS.
Determine appropriate data security controls
Data access and governance principles
Data recovery, retention, and classification
Encryption and key management using AWS KMS
Aligning AWS technologies with compliance needs
Encrypting data in transit and at rest
Managing encryption key policies
Configuring backups, replication, and lifecycle protections
Implementing rotation and renewal strategies for keys and certificates
Summary: This section builds your expertise in protecting data across its entire lifecycle. You’ll learn how to classify data, set governance policies, and apply encryption effectively to secure assets in transit and at rest. Hands-on comprehension of AWS KMS and AWS Certificate Manager ensures that you can implement robust and compliant encryption approaches for any level of workload sensitivity.
Beyond encryption, you will explore mechanisms for automating backup, replication, and recovery to maintain durability. You’ll also see how to align AWS services with organizational and regulatory mandates, using policies that establish a consistent and auditable data protection strategy across every layer of the architecture.
Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures (26% of the exam)
Design scalable and loosely coupled architectures
API management with API Gateway
Using managed integration services such as SQS and Secrets Manager
Applying caching strategies and microservice design principles
Understanding horizontal and vertical scaling patterns
Implementing event-driven and serverless solutions
Leveraging edge acceleration through content delivery
Using containers and orchestration with ECS and EKS
Designing for queue-based decoupling and stateless architecture
Summary: This section dives into creating flexible, highly scalable systems that adapt easily to changing demands. You’ll learn to decouple application components using queues, events, and microservices to remove bottlenecks and achieve consistent reliability. Building with AWS managed services allows you to focus on the business logic while maintaining elasticity and resilience across workloads.
The material also supports a deeper understanding of when and how to select compute methods like containers or serverless designs to meet specific performance and scaling goals. By integrating caching, asynchronous messaging, and event routing, you will be able to craft architectures that deliver consistent performance and cost efficiency as they grow.
Design highly available and/or fault-tolerant architectures
Using AWS global infrastructure with Regions, AZs, and Route 53
Applying managed services for availability improvements
Network basics and routing essentials
Disaster recovery strategies such as backup and restore, warm standby, and active-active
Distributed design patterns and failover planning
Immutable infrastructure concepts
Service quotas and throttling approaches
Storing and replicating data for durability
Using purpose-built AWS services for reliable architectures
Summary: This section teaches you how to design systems that stay operational even amid unexpected disruptions. You will examine how to use multiple Availability Zones and Regions for redundancy and explore patterns like failover and warm standby that ensure swift service recovery. Learning to align RPO and RTO values with specific DR strategies helps you tailor resilience to meet business continuity objectives.
You’ll also connect architectural design choices with the practical use of AWS tools such as Route 53 for health checks, X-Ray for monitoring, and managed database replication for data durability. These practices blend together to deliver infrastructures that maintain uptime, minimize single points of failure, and fulfill the promise of a highly available cloud environment.
Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures (24% of the exam)
Evaluating hybrid storage approaches across environments
Matching use cases with storage types like object, file, and block
Using S3, EFS, and EBS effectively
Implementing scalable strategies for future capacity needs
Summary: This section deepens your understanding of how to select and configure AWS storage options that balance performance, durability, and scalability. You’ll differentiate between storage technologies and their role in application workloads. Learning to evaluate performance targets and capacity planning ensures that each data layer meets both current and expected business requirements.
Additionally, you’ll explore techniques such as hybrid connections and caching to integrate storage within larger distributed systems. You will gain confidence designing architectures that accommodate growth gracefully while maintaining low latency and cost control.
Design high-performing and elastic compute solutions
Choosing compute services such as AWS Batch, EMR, Lambda, or Fargate
Implementing distributed processing concepts across global infrastructure
Applying queuing and messaging for decoupled scaling
Using auto scaling features appropriately
Selecting instance types and resource sizes based on workload needs
Summary: This section emphasizes how to create compute environments that automatically adapt to demand changes. You’ll analyze the trade-offs between EC2 instances, containers, and serverless workloads while learning scalability methods that ensure responsive performance under varying traffic conditions. Recognizing how to use AWS’s flexible scaling services empowers you to maintain efficiency through automation.
In practice, this knowledge enables you to build applications that run efficiently whether they process thousands or millions of requests. You’ll select compute resources by workload characteristics, ensuring that each component performs optimally and scales without service disruption.
Determine high-performing database solutions
Planning capacity and understanding data access patterns
Leveraging caching for high-throughput access
Selecting appropriate engines for workload types
Configuring replication and read replicas
Integrating proxies and choosing database types such as relational or in-memory
Summary: This section teaches how to identify the right database configurations to achieve desired performance. You’ll evaluate database types such as Aurora, DynamoDB, or in-memory stores to ensure queries and workloads scale efficiently. Practical understanding of replication, caching, and optimized connections helps you minimize latency while maintaining data accuracy.
Through examples of how to size instances, apply capacity planning, and integrate database proxies, you will gain insight into achieving sustainable throughput. These principles are essential to building architectures that deliver quick responses and stay reliable as demand increases.
Designing network topologies for global and hybrid architectures
Using edge networking and content delivery services
Applying load balancing concepts and configurations
Selecting appropriate connection options such as VPN, Direct Connect, or PrivateLink
Summary: This section explains how to construct network environments designed for performance and scalability from the ground up. You’ll understand how to use Region and Availability Zone placement, subnet layouts, and load balancing strategies that maximize reach and responsiveness. Knowledge of edge acceleration and CDN deployment expands your ability to optimize user experiences across global audiences.
You’ll also practice determining appropriate connectivity options that balance cost and latency. From Multi-AZ routing to hybrid network design, this section strengthens your ability to deliver fast, efficient, and secure network solutions on AWS infrastructure.
Determine high-performing data ingestion and transformation solutions
Understanding ingestion frequency and transfer requirements
Designing streaming services using Kinesis or EMR
Applying data ingestion and transformation services such as Glue
Building and securing data lakes
Visualizing data using Athena or QuickSight
Summary: This section introduces comprehensive approaches to collecting and transforming data at scale. You’ll explore how to use AWS analytics and data-moving services to process datasets for reporting, intelligence, or application consumption. By learning to architect pipelines that handle real-time and batch flows, you can optimize the timeliness and reliability of business insights.
More broadly, the lessons help you build efficient data architectures that leverage secure access, proper storage tiers, and scalable processing power. Integrating ingestion, transformation, and presentation layers into cohesive data systems empowers organizations to make fast and data-driven decisions.
Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20% of the exam)
Design cost-optimized storage solutions
Applying lifecycle policies and cold storage tiers
Managing backups, archiving, and hybrid storage
Choosing the most cost-effective data transfer methods
Selecting proper storage classes and capacity based on workload patterns
Summary: This section focuses on optimizing cost while maintaining performance across storage options. You’ll learn to determine the correct combination of storage services such as S3, EFS, and FSx, applying lifecycle management to reduce ongoing expenses. Awareness of storage access patterns informs when to use standard, infrequent access, or archival tiers most effectively.
Equipped with this insight, you’ll strategize backups and hybrid transfers that retain just the right amount of performance for the least cost. These practices free up budget for innovation while maintaining durability and compliance in data management.
Design cost-optimized compute solutions
Using cost management tools such as Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets
Selecting appropriate instance families and purchasing models like Spot or Reserved Instances
Implementing scaling strategies that prevent over-provisioning
Designing distributed and hybrid compute strategies with Outposts or Snowball Edge
Summary: This section highlights how intelligent compute planning directly improves efficiency. You’ll compare compute models and pricing structures to match workload behavior, ensuring that each environment delivers optimal performance within budget. Understanding optimization at the instance, container, and function level enables more predictable cost management.
By combining scaling policies, cost management tools, and hybrid strategies, you create architectures that deliver consistent results while minimizing waste. These decisions extend cost-benefit control into every phase of your compute lifecycle.
Design cost-optimized database solutions
Planning retention, caching, and data capacity
Choosing appropriate engines for cost alignment
Managing replication, backup frequency, and format
Evaluating DynamoDB, Aurora, and RDS for workload cost-fit scenarios
Summary: This section introduces cost control methods tailored to database environments. You’ll compare managed and serverless database models to select options that conserve resources while meeting performance goals. Understanding cost implications behind replication, scaling, and retention settings helps you select configurations that serve both technical and financial strategies.
You will also explore how to analyze cost-per-operation ratios and leverage caching solutions to limit overuse of read/write requests. Collectively, these methods create data platforms that are responsive and affordable, forming the foundation of sustainable database architectures.
Design cost-optimized network architectures
Understanding NAT gateway and peering cost differences
Selecting network routes to minimize transfer costs
Designing network topologies for economical data flow
Implementing caching and throttling where appropriate
Summary: This final section shows how to optimize network routing and connectivity for both performance and cost. You’ll learn about trade-offs between VPNs, Direct Connect, and internet paths, balancing reliability with expenditure. Detailed attention to peerings, gateways, and routing tables ensures that data travels efficiently within budget boundaries.
By applying these best practices, you’ll reduce data transfer overhead without compromising speed or security. This architectural awareness transforms complex network challenges into optimized solutions that scale gracefully while maintaining expected cost predictability.
Who is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Certification for?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification is designed for individuals who want to validate their ability to design and implement secure, reliable, and scalable cloud solutions using AWS services. It’s a perfect fit for those with some technical background looking to level up their cloud architecture skills.
This certification is ideal for:
IT professionals with 1+ years of experience working with AWS or other cloud platforms
System administrators, DevOps engineers, or cloud consultants transitioning into architecture-focused roles
Developers and analysts seeking to deepen their cloud design expertise
Technical leads who want to demonstrate their ability to create optimized, well-architected AWS solutions
Whether you’re aiming to become a cloud architect or expand your AWS skill set, this certification provides a strong foundation for building effective cloud environments.
What types of jobs can I get after earning this certification?
Holding the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credential showcases your ability to design resilient and cost-optimized systems. It opens doors to sought-after roles such as:
Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Engineer
AWS Consultant
DevOps Engineer
Systems Engineer
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Many professionals also use this certification to advance into cloud leadership, infrastructure design, or solution strategy positions. Employers value this certification because it proves you can turn business needs into AWS-based solutions that are secure, scalable, and cost-efficient.
What version of the AWS Solutions Architect exam should I take?
The latest version of the exam is SAA-C03, which represents the most up-to-date content for AWS architecture best practices. It’s aligned with the AWS Well-Architected Framework and reflects real-world scenarios across compute, storage, networking, and security.
Always ensure that your study materials match the SAA-C03 version to stay aligned with the current exam format and objectives.
How much does the exam cost?
The exam costs 150 USD, with additional taxes or exchange rates depending on your location. If you already hold an active AWS certification, you’re eligible for a 50% discount on future exams through your AWS Certification Account.
This investment can have a long-term impact on your career growth and earning potential, as certified professionals often command premium salaries in cloud engineering roles.
How many questions are on the AWS SAA-C03 exam?
You’ll encounter 65 questions in total, which include:
Multiple-choice questions (one correct answer)
Multiple-response questions (two or more correct answers)
Of these, 50 questions count toward your score, while 15 are unscored and used for research purposes. The unscored questions are mixed throughout the exam and are indistinguishable from scored ones.
How long do I have to complete the exam?
You’ll have 130 minutes to complete the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. The pacing requires focus, as some questions are scenario-based and involve analyzing architectural trade-offs.
Practice exams and timed mock tests can greatly help build both accuracy and time management for exam day.
What languages is the exam offered in?
AWS makes the Solutions Architect – Associate exam available in a wide selection of languages, including:
English
French (France)
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese (Brazil)
Spanish (Latin America)
Spanish (Spain)
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
This global availability ensures accessibility for professionals around the world seeking to grow their AWS expertise.
What’s the minimum passing score?
You’ll need an overall scaled score of 720 out of 1000 to pass the SAA-C03 exam. AWS scores exams on a compensatory basis, meaning you don’t have to pass every domain individually; what matters is your cumulative score.
After completing the exam, you’ll receive a detailed performance report showing your strengths across each domain, helping you identify areas for future improvement.
What domains does the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate cover?
The exam blueprint is divided into four core domains, each representing a different aspect of AWS solution architecture:
Design Secure Architectures (30%)
Design Resilient Architectures (26%)
Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)
Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)
These domains cover everything from AWS security principles and workload resilience to high availability, performance tuning, and cost optimization.
How difficult is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
This certification is highly respected and designed for those ready to demonstrate expertise in cloud architecture. With the right preparation and consistent practice, most candidates feel confident and well-prepared on exam day.
What’s the best way to prepare for the AWS SAA-C03 exam?
AWS offers a comprehensive set of training and resources to help you succeed, including:
AWS Skill Builder learning paths and digital courses
AWS Cloud Quest and AWS Builder Labs for hands-on learning
Exam readiness workshops and practice question sets
Official whitepapers such as the AWS Well-Architected Framework
Combine these with community study groups, flashcards, and practical exercises in the AWS Free Tier to reinforce your understanding of key services.
How is the exam scored?
The exam uses a scaled scoring system ranging from 100 to 1000 points. Your overall score is determined by the number of scored questions you answer correctly.
AWS uses different forms of the exam across test-takers, but scaled scoring ensures fairness and consistency by compensating for any slight variation in difficulty.
How long is the certification valid?
Your AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification remains valid for 3 years. To maintain your credential, you can either:
Pass the latest version of the SAA-Cxx exam, or
Earn a higher-level certification such as the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, which will automatically recertify your Associate-level credential.
AWS also provides dedicated recertification options for learners looking to continuously validate their evolving cloud skills.
Are there prerequisites for taking this exam?
There are no mandatory prerequisites, but AWS recommends one year of hands-on experience designing distributed systems using AWS. Familiarity with compute, networking, storage, and database services will be a strong advantage.
Foundational credentials such as the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner can also serve as a helpful starting point before advancing to this level.
What hands-on skills should I develop before the exam?
Practical experience is key to mastering the SAA-C03 exam. You should focus on:
Building secure, multi-tier architectures
Using Amazon EC2, S3, RDS, and Lambda effectively
Implementing IAM roles, security groups, and encryption
Designing for fault tolerance and automated scaling
Managing costs using AWS pricing models and management tools
Gaining this experience in the AWS Free Tier helps you transform theory into understanding.
What key AWS services should I study?
The exam emphasizes a wide range of AWS services across several categories. Key ones to know include:
Compute: EC2, AWS Lambda, ECS, and Fargate
Storage: S3, EFS, and EBS
Networking: VPC, Route 53, and CloudFront
Security: IAM, KMS, WAF, and Shield
Databases: DynamoDB, RDS, and Aurora
Management: CloudWatch, CloudFormation, and Trusted Advisor
Understanding how these services interact and fit into architectural patterns is critical for success.
What are some common mistakes to avoid during exam preparation?
To maximize your chance of passing, be mindful of these common pitfalls:
Focusing solely on theoretical knowledge without hands-on labs
Neglecting cost optimization and resiliency concepts, which carry significant weight
Skipping the Well-Architected Framework, a core guideline for architecture design
Overlooking IAM policies or security fundamentals, which appear in multiple domains
Consistent, structured study with a mix of reading, labs, and practice tests leads to the best outcomes.
What experience level is recommended before attempting the AWS Solutions Architect exam?
AWS suggests having at least one year of practical experience working with AWS services in real-world projects. However, motivated learners with a strong grasp of IT fundamentals often succeed even with less professional experience, provided they dedicate time to hands-on practice and structured learning.
What comes after becoming an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate?
After completing this certification, you can further enhance your expertise by pursuing:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (advanced design and enterprise-level architecture)
AWS Certified Security – Specialty (security and compliance focus)
AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate (data pipeline and analytics specialization)
These advanced pathways help position you for senior architecture and consulting roles.
Can I take the exam online?
Yes! You can choose to take the exam online through Pearson VUE with remote proctoring, or at an authorized testing center near you.
For online testing, ensure:
Your testing environment is quiet and private
You have a reliable internet connection
You use an approved webcam and identification method
Both options provide a secure and convenient testing experience.
With preparation, hands-on practice, and consistent review, this certification can become a launching pad for your cloud architecture career. Earning it proves your ability to build trusted, scalable, and efficient solutions using AWS—skills every organization values in today’s cloud-first world.