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AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate Quick Facts
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification unlocks opportunities for cloud professionals to showcase their ability to manage, operate, and optimize AWS environments. This overview provides clarity and direction, ensuring you know exactly what to expect as you prepare for this highly respected certification.
How does the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification support your cloud journey?
This certification validates your expertise in managing AWS workloads with a focus on operations, monitoring, automation, security, networking, business continuity, and cost optimization. It is designed for system administrators and cloud professionals who are ready to prove their ability to implement reliable, scalable, and efficient solutions using AWS services. By earning this credential, you demonstrate your ability to manage workloads across real-world operational scenarios such as performance optimization, automation with CloudFormation, secure multi-account management, high availability, and disaster recovery strategies. It signals to employers and peers that you are ready to take ownership of cloud operations in dynamic and growing environments.
Who should consider the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification?
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate is a fantastic certification for IT professionals who want to prove their capability in managing, operating, and deploying workloads on AWS. This certification is especially well-suited for:
- System administrators looking to validate their cloud operations expertise
- Professionals with a background in IT operations who want to transition into cloud-focused roles
- Individuals with at least one year of hands-on experience managing AWS workloads
- Candidates interested in networking, monitoring, and automation within the AWS ecosystem
This credential is highly valuable because it bridges traditional IT administration skills with AWS-native best practices, making it ideal for anyone who wants to become a trusted operations professional in the cloud.
What kind of jobs can the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate help you land?
Earning this AWS certification can open the door to many exciting roles across cloud and IT operations. Some common job titles include:
- SysOps Administrator
- Cloud Operations Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Cloud Systems Administrator
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) with AWS focus
- IT Operations Specialist
These roles often involve monitoring cloud systems, automating processes, managing scalability, troubleshooting issues, and maintaining security posture. With this certification, you can showcase to employers that you are not just comfortable with AWS, but that you can effectively keep cloud operations resilient, secure, and cost-optimized.
Which version of the AWS SysOps exam is currently available?
The current exam is AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02. This version validates your ability to operate workloads effectively, monitor system performance, manage networking configurations, and apply compliance and security controls. Using study guides and courses specific to SOA-C02 ensures that your preparation materials align with the latest topics and domains tested on the exam.
How much does it cost to take the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator exam?
The exam registration fee is 150 USD. While this is the base price, keep in mind that taxes or foreign exchange rates may apply depending on your country. Additionally, AWS offers a 50% discount voucher on your next certification exam if you already hold an active AWS certification. This makes pursuing further certifications both cost-effective and career-rewarding.
How many questions are on the SOA-C02 exam?
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate exam includes 65 questions. Among these, 50 are scored and 15 are unscored. The unscored questions are used by AWS to gather performance data for potential future exams. All questions are either multiple choice (one correct answer) or multiple response (two or more correct answers).
How long do I get to complete the AWS SysOps certification exam?
You are given 130 minutes to answer all the questions in the exam. Time management is key, so you’ll want to pace yourself and ensure you leave enough time to carefully read and respond to scenario-based questions. With practice, many candidates find this duration to be comfortably manageable.
What’s the passing score for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator SOA-C02?
To pass, you need a scaled score of 720 out of 1000. AWS uses a compensatory scoring model, which means you don’t have to pass each individual domain; your total score across the exam determines whether you earn the credential. This allows you to demonstrate strong knowledge in some areas and still pass even if other sections are a little weaker.
Which languages are available for the AWS SysOps Associate exam?
The exam is offered in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. This range of language support makes it accessible to candidates worldwide. When registering for the exam, you can choose the language option that suits you best.
What is the exam format like?
The SOA-C02 exam includes multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Currently, there are no live exam labs included, although AWS may reintroduce them in future versions. To prepare effectively, it’s essential to practice answering scenario-based questions and get familiar with how AWS services work together in practical operations.
How difficult is the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification?
This certification is considered an Associate-level credential, which means it goes deeper than a foundational exam. While it is designed for professionals with at least a year of AWS experience, it is very achievable with structured study and hands-on practice. Many candidates find it rewarding because it gives them confidence in monitoring, troubleshooting, security, and automation strategies. To strengthen your readiness, we recommend practicing with realistic AWS SysOps Administrator Associate practice exams that mirror the exam content and provide detailed answer explanations.
What domains and topics are covered on the AWS SysOps certification exam?
The exam blueprint includes six domains, each with its own weighting:
- Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation (20%)
- Reliability and Business Continuity (16%)
- Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation (18%)
- Security and Compliance (16%)
- Networking and Content Delivery (18%)
- Cost and Performance Optimization (12%)
Together, these domains cover everything from implementing alarms in CloudWatch to executing disaster recovery strategies with S3 replication and RDS backups. Understanding these domains helps focus your study plan on areas that matter most.
How long is the certification valid for once I pass?
Like most AWS certifications, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate is valid for 3 years. After that, you will need to recertify by either retaking the latest version of the exam or earning a higher-level certification, such as the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional, which automatically renews the SysOps certification.
What knowledge should I have before sitting the SOA-C02 exam?
AWS recommends at least one year of hands-on AWS experience before attempting the exam. You should also know the basics of networking concepts like DNS and firewalls, have experience with the AWS CLI and Management Console, and be comfortable implementing security controls. General IT administration background (such as managing backups, monitoring systems, troubleshooting workloads) is also very helpful.
What services should I focus on for the exam?
You should be familiar with a broad set of AWS services, including:
- Monitoring and Management: CloudWatch, CloudTrail, Config, Systems Manager
- Compute: EC2, Auto Scaling, Lambda
- Storage: S3, EBS, EFS, FSx
- Networking: VPC, Route 53, ELB, CloudFront, Shield, WAF
- Databases: RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, ElastiCache
- Security: IAM, KMS, Secrets Manager, GuardDuty
While some services like Amazon ECS or Redshift are out of scope, focusing on the recommended in-scope list from the official exam guide ensures you are well-prepared.
Are there any prerequisites for the AWS SysOps Administrator Associate exam?
There are no strict prerequisites, meaning anyone can register and take the exam. However, AWS strongly advises candidates to have hands-on AWS experience first. If you’re brand new to AWS, it may be helpful to start with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before stepping into the SysOps Associate to build a solid foundation.
Is hands-on AWS practice necessary for success?
Absolutely, yes. While theory is important, the SysOps exam evaluates your ability to think like an AWS administrator in real scenarios. Setting up monitoring dashboards, configuring backups, creating VPC subnets, or automating tasks with Systems Manager are all valuable practical exercises that help reinforce your study materials. AWS Free Tier is a great place to build this experience.
How can I prepare most effectively for the SysOps certification?
Here are some recommended strategies:
- Study the exam guide and blueprint to know exactly what topics are in scope
- Take online AWS training courses, including the AWS Skill Builder materials and AWS Jam sessions
- Get hands-on experience with AWS Free Tier or through work projects
- Use practice exams to strengthen your test-taking strategy and reduce surprises on exam day
- Join communities such as AWS re:Post or online study groups to discuss tricky topics with peers
What mistakes should candidates avoid when preparing?
Some common mistakes to watch for include:
- Skipping hands-on practice and relying only on reading
- Overlooking key operational tools like AWS Systems Manager and CloudWatch
- Not reviewing cost optimization strategies, which are frequently tested
- Forgetting to understand IAM deeply enough, especially with policies and access boundaries
By staying mindful of these pitfalls, you can make your preparation both efficient and effective.
Can I take the AWS SysOps exam online from home?
Yes, you can. The exam is administered through Pearson VUE, and you can choose either:
- Online proctoring from the comfort of your home, requiring a private room, webcam, and stable internet
- In-person testing at a Pearson VUE exam center near you
Both methods are equally valid and give you flexibility depending on your schedule and preference.
How do I register for the SOA-C02 exam?
To register for your exam:
- Sign in to the official AWS SysOps Certification exam page
- Click "Schedule an Exam" and proceed with Pearson VUE
- Choose your preferred testing option (online or in-person)
- Select a date and time that works best for you
- Complete payment and confirm your booking
Once that’s done, it’s all about preparing with confidence and stepping into exam day ready and excited!
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate certification is an incredible step for cloud professionals who want to demonstrate real-world operations ability. By thoughtfully studying, practicing with AWS services, and using high-quality preparation tools, you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success in your cloud career.
