How I was certified three times at AWS: Experience and Pitfalls (part one)
Hello everyone. Not so long ago I became (according to the data available to me) the first AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate in Kazakhstan. I was going to write about preparing for certification for a long time, but constantly lacked time and could not gather with thoughts.
Now that a little bit has moved away from the exam and previous training, a bit of time has come up, so it's time to talk about how it was.
So, let's start from the beginning.
What is AWS?
AWS is a contraction from Amazon Web Services. This is a global fast-growing cloud platform providing a huge number of services.
It is difficult to tell exactly how many services are currently present in AWS. It feels like Internet rule 34 can be reformulated in relation to AWS - “If you think about something, most likely Amazon has already implemented this feature.”
It gets the feeling that Amazon is willing to implement anything and provide it as a service.
As an example, I can cite AWS Ground Station - a terrestrial satellite station as a service
Or Amazon Bracket is a quantum computer as a service.
Quote from the official website: Amazon Bracket is a fully managed service that will help you get started with quantum computing, providing a development environment for research and design quantum algorithms, test them on simulation of quantum computers and perform on any of the real variants of quantum equipment. Quantum computing in the future is able to solve such computational problems that go beyond the capabilities of classical computers, through the use of the laws of quantum mechanics for the creation of more powerful means of processing information. This approach to computing has the potential to transform industries such as energy storage, chemical manufacturing, materials science, drug research, optimization and machine learning. In order to formulate such problems and create quantum programs to solve them, completely new skills are needed. At the same time, access to quantum computing equipment on which algorithms can be executed and optimized is costly and is not very convenient. All this prevents the assessment of the current state of technology and to properly plan the investment of resources to maximize returns. Amazon Bracket helps overcome these challenges by providing a service for developers, researchers and scientists where they can study, evaluate and conduct experiments with quantum computing. Amazon Bracket allows you to develop your own quantum algorithms from scratch or choose any of the already finished algorithms. When you compile the right algorithm, a fully managed simulation environment in Amazon Bracket will help you debug it and test it in operation. When everything is ready, you will be able to execute this algorithm on selected quantum equipment, which includes superconducting devices based on Rigetti valves, superconducting devices by technology quantum annealing D-Wave and IonQ ion traps device. To simplify the development of hybrid algorithms that combine classical and quantum tasks, Amazon Bracket supports classical computing resource management and fast connectivity quantum equipment. Amazon Bracket will allow you to learn quantum computing, assess its potential and create skills that will come in handy in the future.
To be honest, resembles some magic.
Why AWS?
Cloud technologies are developing very quickly and in order to keep up, it is necessary to quickly learn new technologies, read materials and practice.
Anyway I knew that cloud technology I would need to learn and the first platform I chose AWS.
Why? The answer is simple - AWS is a leader in cloud technology. The market share is greater than that of Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform combined. And given that the market is actively interested in clouds, the demand for specialists will definitely grow.
And it's not because of the prices:) Prices for many services are frankly penny-y. Plus, AWS provides many services absolutely free for the whole year.
And market leadership is generally recognized, and the breakaway is quite serious.
Why be certified?
It's very simple here.
Firstly, certification is very important for a specialist. It allows you to objectively understand where the shortcomings are present and what areas need to be tightened.
Secondly - when working, an interview with a certified specialist usually arises fewer questions.
Thirdly - some status:) and badjiki. In addition, many foreign employers prescribe a certificate as a requirement for a candidate.
Well, the price tag is higher, what to hide.
Where to be certified?
Previously, it was impossible to certify in Kazakhstan, as certification was carried out exclusively through PSI test centers. However, last year, on April 8, AWS partnered with Pearson Vue and certification became available almost everywhere in the world.
So choose any Pearson Vue test center and go. For example, in Almaty their pieces 5-6. I was testing clearly not at the best (ELTC), but it always has free nearest time slots.
It is very important for me to go to pass the exam immediately, as there is a feeling that the exam is ready. Otherwise, you can fall into the trap of “feeling eternal unreadiness”.
What is that? It's a fear of not passing the exam and eternal preparation. I believe there is no need to be afraid. If you feel that you are ready - you go and give up. If you did not pass - there is also a plus, at least you understand what the exam is and according to the results it immediately becomes visible in which areas there is not enough knowledge and what it is necessary to tighten up.
Certification levels
In AWS, like many other vendors, there is a separation of certification levels. Certification is also divided into mandatory and optional exams.
For example, the Foundational level is optional. That is, to pass on the Associate level, it is not necessary to pass the Foundational level exams. But very helpful.
Why? It's very simple. First, the basics are always important. Without knowledge of basics, it's difficult to go further. Without an exam, there is an opportunity to miss something. And in addition, there is still a very important point - benefits. If you successfully pass the exam - get a certificate for free Practice exam and 50% discount for any next exam. And also the opportunity to buy a merch from AWS, but alas, only in the states.
How to learn?
Everyone has their own approach to learning. I prefer to keep abstracts, briefly writing down all the information on the necessary topic as you view video courses, reading documentation and passing practical assignments.
I have almost six forty-eight leaf notebooks for the entire period of training.
It is also necessary to focus on learning. It is highly desirable not to be distracted by games, social networks, movies and stuff. Yes, alcohol is better to forget for this period too.
Try to allocate time every day, without passes. At least two hours a day, no less. I tried to allocate all my free time.
If the information does not climb at all, take a walk or try to sleep. On days like this, I could sleep for a day.
And most importantly - learn. Recently saw reviews for one of the courses from Ryan Kroonenburg (founder of acloud.guru). There, one of the students wrote that like “Ryan return the money, I looked at your video course, but still filled the exam.”
So, look through the course and learn - different things. See courses, read documentation and practice, practice, practice. Without that, nowhere.
What is needed?
Time of Money Money in AWS (it costs nothing, but 1-2 dollars on the card must be, for verification. Amazon will write them off, then return)
Resources, where to learn.
acloud.guru ~49 dollars a month, out of good - there's exam SimulatorLinux Academy - too $49 (and all because acloud.guru recently bought Linux Academy), out of good - cool labs and access to AWS clearly not Free Tier for LinkedIn Learning - I do not know exactly how much it costs, since I have access to it free, plus you can get a free month of trial, there are no exams, lab is also not very much, but you can repeat behind the teacher. That's where I went through most of the course.Official documentation is a comprehensive resource, all the information that is necessary for certification here is. There are very, very many of her. Totally free.
AWS Certified Cloud Practioner
Foundational level certification. Optional, that is, not necessary for subsequent certifications, but, as I said, very useful.
Preparation
In order to prepare, I have taken the following courses:
Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 1 Cloud Concepts Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 2 SecurityIntroduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 3 Core Services Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 3 Core Services Introduction to AWS for Non-Engineers: 4 Billing and Pricing
Courses provide an overview of AWS services and a general conceptual understanding.
In principle, these courses are enough to successfully pass the exam, but I recommend “poking through handles” each of the services in your account. (I will add from myself that you need to remember, that going outside the Free Tier is paid, so clean yourself and adjust the alarmas to exceed the limits)
Quote from the official website Certification Skills: tell you what the AWS cloud and basic global infrastructure are; describe the basic architectural principles of the AWS cloud; present Customer Benefits of AWS Cloud; Outline Core AWS Services and Standard Usage Examples (e.g., Computing and Analytics); Submit Highlights security and compliance related to the AWS platform, as well as the shared security model; describe billing, account management, and pricing models Select sources of documentation or technical assistance (such as technical descriptions or support requests); explain the main features of deployment and operation in the AWS cloud.
It took me just under two weeks to prepare.
Certification
The exam costs $100, lasts in my opinion 100 minutes of which 5 minutes is given to familiarize and agree with the rules and 5 minutes for a survey about the quality of the exam, etc.
The exam is quite simple. It took me about 17 minutes for the whole exam.
The exam is theoretical. Question and 4-5 answer options. At the end of the exam, we get the result (Pass or Fail). After that we wait up to 5 working days and receive a message on the mail that the results of the exam have been delivered to Certmetrics. Go to the aws.training portal and look at Score Report, download the certificate and sham badgeek on LinkedIn.
Immeasurably rejoice at the first step on the way to the world of cool cloud technologies.
Tip - never book an exam at 9:00. The exam should come in advance to fill out the questionnaire and check the documents. It is also necessary to have a document with the Latin spelling of last name and name (in my case it was a passport). Many test centers can open at exactly 9:00 and you may be late. I haven't had such cases, but my acquaintances had.
Tip number 2 - try to sleep and be sure to go to the toilet before starting the exam. The exam lasts long enough and as far as I know, it is forbidden to leave the room during the exam.
Tip number 3 - don't worry. It's not a big deal whether you take the exam the first time or the next attempts. It is important that you choose to do so.
A little later I will write a sequel. Tired of writing, honest word:)
