The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is being felt by all vendors around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused certification leaders to deal with various connected problems. They need to protect their staff and customers, manage their finances, and understand complex government support programs. Due to growing worries about COVID-19, AWS certifications are figuring out the best ways to assist and empower their customers during this unique and challenging time.
As the world grapples with COVID-19, many customers are turning to our technology and resources to help their employees learn and grow. We want to do our part by providing you with valuable cloud and technology skills to help you stay informed and updated during these challenging times. Therefore, in this article, you will be provided with insights on how AWS certifications are updating their certifications with respect to this unprecedented act of nature.
AWS: Certifications Updates
The rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to the closure of many Pearson Vue and Prometric test centers. This has been frustrating for those planning to take AWS certifications. However, there’s good news for those interested in AWS certifications. AWS offers a range of certifications, from foundational to specialty levels, in four IT certification series based on skill level. They are:
Foundation Level Certification
Well, every journey starts somewhere. For AWS, it starts from the Foundation level certificate. Since there is only one certification at the foundational level, we’re just going to merge our analysis of the level and the individual certification. As for now, AWS offers only one foundation level certificate.
Associate Level Certification
Once you’ve obtained the foundational-level certification, you can move on to the associate level. These associate-level certifications are crucial if you want to work with AWS in a hands-on role. While the foundational certification provides a good conceptual understanding, the associate-level certifications are where you’ll learn how to apply AWS skills in practical, real-world situations.
Professional Level Certification
Certifications surely make a difference, but not all certifications are designed equally. That’s the reason we have different levels of certifications. And, finally, we’re discussing the Professional level certification. These exams are not a cakewalk. They represent the zenith of AWS certification and are both extensive in scope and deep in focus.
Specialty Level Certification
AWS Specialty certifications plunge exceedingly deep in narrow focus areas, particularly networking, big data, security, and machine learning. Just like professional-level certification, AWS Speciality certification must not be approached carelessly.
Important Updates in respect with COVID-19
Ever since the beginning of the COVID‑19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of Amazonians have been proudly serving their communities. We can proudly say that AWS has constantly been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and its impact on the candidates, students, professionals, instructors, and employers we serve. As a part of response, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is providing highly scalable and reliable infrastructure capacity, technical support, and AWS services to help customers with their research, remote work and learning, and other solutions to address their needs and the effects this is having on communities and businesses. Our AWS team is committed to continuously updating you on any changes related to the AWS certification exams that may impact your study plans.
Keeping Systems up and Running for customers
As the number of COVID cases inflow, AWS has decided to keep the systems up and running for their customers’ benefit. To maintain communication between AWS teams and customers, AWS has equipped support agents with remote access to securely assist candidates. Additionally, as a precaution, AWS has established primary, secondary, and tertiary backup plans for each support center to address potential disruptions.
Closing of Testing centers
Due to COVID-19, remote exams have temporarily closed their testing centres across the world in response to the government regulations. However, candidates can now take their exam online. This allows you to take certification exams at your own place.
Online Proctored Exams
Online proctored is the option of taking Google Cloud certifications exams online and from home. Using this you can take Google Cloud Platform certification exams online from any location. Most importantly, this is the perfect option for taking Google Cloud certifications exams during the time of self quarantining and social distancing. However, currently, only Associate Cloud Engineer and Professional Cloud Architect exams can be taken remotely. Other Google Cloud certifications are available online.
Update! Pearson VUE
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, the owners of the testing centers listed in the spreadsheet have chosen to temporarily shut down to ensure the safety and well-being of test candidates, proctors, and staff members.
The spreadsheet keeps on updated daily and posted here as other testing centres close. As test centres reopen, everything will be back to normal.
Pearson VUE online-proctoring is non-influential by COVID-19. And, is a suitable testing alternative to taking exams at a test center.
It tests candidates can take AWS certifications exams online at home or in their employer’s office. Moreover, the proctor monitor tests all around the globe, seven days a week.
Therefore, it is important for the aspirants to check with the test sponsors to see if they offer online-proctored exams.
Extended Recertification Date
There is no doubt that aspirants are striving hard to prepare for their AWS certification journey. Well, here is good news for all of you. AWS will not let your hard work go in vain. AWS is extending the retirement date for all the certifications to give you more time to complete the exams and continue with certification. For more, refer to the Pearson VUE for the latest information.
Exam Language
AWS certification exams are available in various languages namely, English, Japanese, Chinese. However, considering COVID 19 circumstances, online exams are currently available in English only. And, they will update the website as they start offering the certification exams in other languages. So, make sure you are familiar with the language.
Expert’s Corner
To conclude, we recognize these are extraordinary circumstances and will continue to exist for a little longer. Most of the certification vendors including AWS have started the brick and mortar operations so that they can transform their current business into a remote workforce. Moreover, they are trying to maintain our focus on successfully supporting customers and partners. All these measures will provide nothing but a stronghold as well as a position in the world of certifications.
There is no denying the fact that it could take a while for the effects of the Coronavirus to pass. As a result, unfortunately, it may be difficult to find test centers in the coming weeks. Therefore, it is highly recommendable to please keep an eye on the status of the test centers. Also, we will post again to keep you updated when we hear more.
Cloud is about how you do computing and not where you do computing. So, make sure to stay home, stay safe and perform our free practice tests.
