Table of Contents
Introduction
Motivation and Background
Exam Preparation Steps
Stephane Maarek's Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Course
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Course
AWS Skill Builder Individual Plan
Official Practice Exam + Neal Davis's Practice Exams
Study Strategy and Tools
Note-taking and Organization
Interactive Learning
Exam Experience
- Choosing a Testing Center
Highlights of AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification
Innovative Solutions and Tools
Security Domain
Conclusion
Introduction
I am thrilled to share my journey of achieving the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification ☁️🙌. This was a significant milestone for me, especially since I started without any prior experience or exposure to AWS Cloud. The preparation and learning process was both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Motivation and Background
The decision to pursue the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification was driven by my desire to enhance my technical skills and understanding of cloud computing. Despite my initial lack of experience, I found the learning journey to be engaging and enlightening, particularly in the area of cloud security 🥷👩🏽💻👀, where for sure I am going to dive deeper.
Exam Preparation Steps
Stephane Maarek's Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Course
I began my preparation with the ✅ [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 course by Stephane Maarek, he is a solutions architect, consultant and software developer. This comprehensive course provided a solid foundation and covered all the necessary topics in depth and I found it super useful and comprehensive.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials Course and other resources
Next, I enrolled in the ✅ AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials official course, available for free on the AWS Skill Builder platform. This course offered a structured and thorough overview of AWS Cloud concepts, helped me filling the gaps from the previous course I've done and also reinforce concepts, this was very useful too!
AWS Skill Builder Individual Plan
To further enhance my preparation, I signed up for the AWS Skill Builder Individual Plan. This plan includes several valuable resources, I found this ones particularly useful for my exam prep:
✅ AWS Escape Room: Exam Prep for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): A 3D virtual escape room game that tested my knowledge interactively.
✅ Exam Prep Standard Course: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Another comprehensive course that reinforced my understanding.
Additionally, there was an Exam Prep Enhanced Course: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner available, but I chose not to take it since Maarek's course was already very comprehensive but I do recommend you go and check it out!
Official Practice Exam + Neal Davis's Practice Exams
Finally, I did the ✅ AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Official Practice Exam and I purchased the ✅ AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Practice Exams CLF-C02 set from Neal Davis. I took six practice tests a couple of times, meticulously reviewing and taking notes on any questions I got wrong. This practice was crucial in solidifying my knowledge and boosting my confidence.
Study Strategy and Tools
Note-taking and Organization
Throughout my preparation, I took detailed notes from each course. I organized these notes in a document on Notion, adding additional information as I progressed through the resources. This systematic approach helped me consolidate my learning effectively.
Interactive Learning
Engaging with interactive learning tools, like the AWS Escape Room game, made the study process more enjoyable and helped reinforce my understanding in a practical, hands-on way.
Exam Experience
Choosing a Testing Center
Although the AWS exam can be taken from the comfort of your home, I chose to take it at a Test and Training Center in Dubai. This was a personal preference, as I felt more comfortable in a formal testing environment. You can find a Test Center in your city when you book the exam.
Highlights of AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification
Innovative Solutions and Tools
One of the most fascinating aspects of AWS is how it provides solutions for virtually every problem, continuously coming up with innovative tools and services. This aspect of AWS kept me engaged and motivated throughout my study journey.
Security Domain
I found the security domain particularly interesting. AWS’s robust security measures and protocols are designed to protect data and applications, which is crucial in today’s digital landscape.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preparing for and achieving the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification was a transformative experience. It took me a couple of months to prepare, balancing my study time with a significant holiday break. The journey was well worth it, and I am now excited to pursue my next certification. Thank you for reading about my experience, and I hope it inspires you on your learning path!