How to Ace the AWS SysOps Administrator - Associate Exam in 2023
By Alex • Updated Jan 13, 2023
Overview | Exam Guide | Courses | Practice Exams
Are you looking to become a certified AWS SysOps Administrator? If so, you're in luck In this blog post, we will outline the steps that you need to take in order to ace the AWS SOA exam (SOA-C02).
We'll provide tips on how to study for the exam and what to expect on test day. So whether you're just starting out on your studying journey or are nearing the finish line, this guide will help you get there!
Step 1: Create a study plan
The first step to preparing for the AWS SOA exam is to create a study plan. This may seem unnecessary at first, but making a plan will ensure you pass the exam with the least amount of study time possible. It will also give you peace of mind during the entire process.
Most exam taker reports - such as these from Dev.to and Neil Davis - estimate that you can pass the AWS SOA exam with around 30-40 hours of studying.
With that in mind we created a study plan that you can copy and use for yourself:
Step | Required time |
1. Get to know the exam syllabus | 2 hours |
2. Understand the exam format | 1 hour |
3. Study the core concepts | 30 hours |
4. Take mock exams | 5 hours |
5. Prepare for exam day logistics | 2 hours |
Keep in mind that amount of days you need to prepare for the exam depends on how many hours you can study per day. We recommend planning for anywhere between 5 days (8 hours of studying per day) to 1.5 months (1 hour of studying per day) before taking the exam.
The easiest way to make sure you stay on track is to create a recurring study blocker in your calendar.
Step 2: Get to know the exam syllabus
The next step is to familiarize yourself with the exam syllabus. This will help you understand what topics you need to focus on when studying.
The core domains that are covered in the AWS SOA exam are:
More details on the individual domains can be found in the official AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02) Exam Guide.
If you are a visual learner we highly recommend creating a mind-map of the syllabus and annotating it while you’re learning the core concepts in step 4. You can check out this free mind-map to get you started.
Step 3: Understand the exam format
Early in your study journey, you should understand the exam format so that you can study accordingly.
The latest AWS SOA exam (SOA-C02) has the following format:
- Exam duration: 180 minutes
- Number of questions: 65 questions
- Question format: Multiple choice, multiple response, and exam lab
- Minimum passing score: 720 (scale of 100-1,000)
- Exam languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
- Testing providers: Pearson VUE
More details on the exam format can be found on the official certification page.
Step 4: Study the core concepts
Once you know what topics are covered on the exam and what the format is, it's time to start studying. This is where you should spend most of your preparation time.
There are a lot of great resources available to help you learn the material:
On-demand courses
On-demand courses are a great way to learn the concepts covered in the exam. Many of these courses are taught by experienced instructors who can help you understand the material.
Check out our article on the 5 best AWS SysOps Administrator courses here:
Live classes
Live classes are another option for studying the concepts. These courses are typically more expensive than on-demand courses, but they offer the benefit of live interaction with an instructor.
AWS allows you to search for live classes directly on their website here.
Books
Books are another popular study option. We recommend searching Amazon for the top-rated book on this certification. Just make sure that they are up to date with the latest exam version.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Study Guide: Associate SOA-C02 Exam by Jorge Negron is one of our top picks:
Irrespective of which study options you chose, make sure you understand all of the concepts and how they apply to real-world situations.
Step 5: Take mock exams
After you have studied the concepts, it is time to take some practice exams.
This will help you gauge your understanding of the material and identify any areas where you need more study. Practice exams will also help you get used to the question format on the exam.
There are many different practice exams available online.
Check out our article on the 5 best AWS SysOps Administrator practice exams here:
If you answer incorrectly during a practice exam, mark the question and the answer for later review.
We also recommend creating an error log where you list all of your mistakes and the correct answer.
If you notice that you are lacking in one of the core concepts, go back to the study resource you used in step 4 and make sure to fill the gaps.
It’s very important that you don’t just memorize but understand the concepts.
Step 6: Prepare for exam day logistics
The day of the exam can be nerve-wracking. To avoid any unpleasant surprises make sure to prepare for exam day logistics.
First of all, you should get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Below are some additional tips depending on if you are taking the exam online or in a test center.
Online exam
- Review your program’s test policies including which IDs are accepted
- Make sure you have the right computer equipment
- Run a system test e.g. via the Pearson VUE online testing page
- Prepare your testing space
- Familiarize yourself with the online check-in process
You can find additional tips and explanations in the official Pearson VUE online exam guide.
Test center
- Research the required documents
- Dress comfortably
- Bring earplugs
- Plan to arrive early
- Familiarize yourself with the check-in process
Check out the official Pearson VUE website for more tips.
Now that you know how to prepare for the AWS SOA exam, it's time to get started! Good luck!