AWS Certification Updates: July 2021

Over the past few years, AWS certification is offering the best IT infrastructure services for businesses using cloud computing. This has provided benefits by replacing up-front capital infrastructure expenses with low variable costs for scaling up the business. Moreover, now there is no need for planning to procure servers and other IT infrastructure weeks or months in advance. 

Talking about the AWS certifications, thousands of businesses and organizations are getting benefits from Certified AWS candidates for helping them get a highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud. Thus, this has taken the value of AWS Certification to more upper level worldwide. But, to keep everything on track, AWS has to stay up to date with the latest technology and innovations. That is to say, there is a need to update the certification and its content as per the trending technology. So that candidates can take advantage by upgrading them with new skills.

In this blog, we will highlight the latest AWS July 2021 exam updates. Further, we will talk about the active AWS exams and how to maintain the certifications.

AWS Certification: What’s new?

We know that for validating technical skills and cloud expertise for having a good career, AWS certification plays a crucial role. Moreover, this helps professionals highlight in-demand skills and organizations to building effective teams for cloud initiatives. 

But, what’s new in 2021? For getting an answer, check the below section.

New Modification in the AWS Exam

1. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02)

As per an update posted by Amazon on June 30, 2021, there is big news for the new exam: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02). That is to say, candidates can now take the new version of AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02).

However, the registration for the new AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is now open. The candidates can register and then take the exam starting on July 27, 2021.

Exam Important Details

• The first day for registering for SOA-C02 is 29 June 2021.
• Next, the first day for taking the new practice exam for SOA-C02 is 29 June 2021.
• The last day for taking SOA-C01 26 July 2021.
• And, the first day of exam appointments for SOA-C02 is 27 July 2021.

What’s new in this:

• Firstly, AWS is making updates to the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam to stay up to date with the latest innovation on the AWS platform and the best practices for the SysOps administrator role. 
• Secondly, from this exam onwards, AWS exams may include a combination of multiple-choice, multiple responses, and exam lab items. 
• Lastly, after completing exam labs, you will be demonstrating skills relevant to a SysOps administrator role by building solutions with the AWS Management Console and AWS CLI.

AWS SOA-C02 Exam Details

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is intended for systems administrators performing a systems operations role. They must have at least one year of experience in performing tasks for deploying, managing, and operating on AWS. Further, this certification can help organizations in identifying and developing talent with critical skills for implementing cloud initiatives. Secondly, by earning this certification, builders can showcase their experience using AWS:

• optimization strategies
• network configuration
• security implementation and compliance policies.

New Course Outline:

• 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%

Further, the new SOA-C02 exam can be given in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese language. The cost of the exam is 150 USD and it can be taken at test delivery provider, Pearson VUE, or from home with online proctoring. Lastly, the time duration to complete the exam is 180 minutes.

2. Introduction of New Languages in AWS Exam

On June 1, 2021, AWS introduced new languages for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. There is an addition of a new language that will be available in the coming months and can be accessed through our delivery provider, Pearson VUE. The languages include:

3. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty (DAS-C01)

This certification was formerly known as AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty. Certifications earned with this name are active for three years from the date they are earned.

• This exam is for individuals who perform in a data analytics-focused role. Further, the exam validates a candidate’s comprehensive understanding of using AWS services for designing, building, securing, and maintaining analytics solutions for providing insight from data.

Data Analytics Updated Course Outline

• Collection 18%
• Storage and Data Management 22%
• Processing 24%
• Analysis and Visualization 18%
• Security 18%

Summing up the modifications and changes in the AWS Exams:

Now, we are well familiar with all the active AWS certification exam changes as well as the information about the latest modifications. In the next section, we will learn about the recertification policy of AWS.

AWS Recertification: Maintaining your certification

You must know that AWS Certifications are only valid for three years. Further, for maintaining your AWS Certified status, it is necessary to demonstrate your skills using the recertification process. However, Recertification is basically for strengthening the overall value of your AWS Certification. And, to show individuals and employers that your certification covers the latest AWS knowledge, skills, and best practices.

Process of getting Recertified

1. Recertification for the Foundational-level certification

Taking the Cloud Practitioner exam.

• You can retake the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam for recertification. Moreover, you can use your 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying. Further, you can also fulfill the recertification requirement by clearing any Associate or Professional level certification exam.

2. Recertification for the Associate-level certification

Taking the Associate exam

• You can take the Associate level certification exam for the certification you have. For example, if have an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification. Then, you can retake the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam for recertification. Moreover, you can use your 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying. Further, you can fulfill the recertification requirement by clearing either the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam for the path of Architect or AWS DevOps Engineer Professional exam for the Developer or Operations path. 

3. Recertification for the Professional-level certification

Taking the Current Professional-level exam

• You can take the current Professional level certification exam for the certification you have. For example, if have an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification, then, you can retake the current AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam for recertifying. Moreover, you can use your 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying.

4. Recertification for the Specialty certification

Taking the Current Specialty exam

• You can take the Specialty certification exam for the certification you have. For example, if have an AWS Certified Security – Specialist certification then, you can retake the current AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam for recertifying. Moreover, you can use your 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying.

Final Words

Above we have understood the changes and updates related to the AWS certification and training. Amazon performs these modifications with its exams and training in order to stay up to date with the latest technology. Moreover, this further provides benefits to individuals earning this certification by gaining the latest skills. Use the above information and get yourself familiar with the latest happenings in AWS. And, find out the best suitable exam and start preparing yourself to get certified.

Prepare and become Certified AWS SysOps Administrator Associate Now!