How I Passed the AWS Solutions Architect Professional Exam
One Thing I Wish I Knew Before Taking the AWS Solutions Architect Professional Exam
Passing the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam was one of the most rewarding (and challenging) milestones in my cloud career. It's an exam that demands more than just memorizing services — it tests how well you can architect secure, reliable, and cost-effective solutions under pressure.
In this post, I want to walk you through my honest journey — the ups, the downs, the resources I used, and what I wish I knew before taking this exam.
My First Attempt: Oof.
I had already passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam a few years back, but that certification expired in 2023. Instead of retaking the Associate, I decided to go straight for the Professional-level exam in 2024. Bold move — and it shaped everything that followed.
I started with Stephane Maarek’s Professional course on Udemy. It had great reviews, so I thought: “Perfect, this is all I need.”
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Stephane’s course is high-level and slide-based — good for structure, but not deep or hands-on. After I finished it once, I took a few practice questions and quickly realized I was not ready.
Going Back to the Fundamentals
To build a better foundation, I purchased Neal Davis’s Associate-level course, even though I was aiming for the Professional exam. That was a smart move. His course was hands-on, with real labs and deeper dives into services.
I did the labs while watching the videos, which helped me actually retain what I was learning. After completing that course, I took and passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam again. Then I took a week off, regrouped, and started prepping for Professional once more.
This time, I rewatched Stephane’s Professional course, and honestly, it clicked a lot more. I had a few "aha" moments, especially after building that Associate-level foundation. I also got Stephane’s Professional practice exams, and reviewed every answer — right or wrong — to understand the reasoning.
My Testing Center Experience
I scheduled my first attempt at a testing center, since online proctoring doesn’t allow bathroom breaks. But the testing center had its own issues: background noise, doors opening and closing, and uncomfortable earplugs that didn’t help at all.
After the test, I anxiously waited for my results. A couple of hours later, I got the dreaded email:
“Your AWS Certification exam results are available.”
No “Congratulations.” Just that.
I knew I hadn’t passed. My score? 701 — painfully close to the 750 needed to pass.
Regrouping & New Resources
I took a few days off, then got back at it. This time, I explored AWS SkillBuilder — both the free and paid content. I found their practice exams helpful but lacking deep answer explanations.
That’s when I discovered Tutorials Dojo. It cost me about $15, and it was the best investment of the entire prep process.
Their practice tests were:
Available in timed mode, review mode, and section-based quizzes
Full of realistic questions
Paired with solid explanations for right and wrong answers
I didn’t even finish all five tests — but the ones I did helped me understand the why behind the solutions.
Second Attempt: Online Proctoring Experience
For my second attempt, I chose to take the test online. Honestly, I was a nervous wreck. I doubted myself on every question. By the end, I was so emotionally drained that I skipped the post-exam survey and just clicked through to submit.
Then came the waiting game.
The Moment of Joy
About three hours after the test, I heard a ding on my phone. I tried to ignore it, thinking, What if it’s that same disappointing email again?
But I looked.
Subject: Congratulations on passing your AWS Certification exam
From: AWS Training and Certification
I was speechless. Just frozen. I had done it. The stress, the anxiety, the tears — all of it melted into pure joy.
What I Wish I Knew
If I had to distill my biggest takeaway, it would be this:
Don’t chase perfection. Chase readiness.
You may never feel 100% ready for this exam. That’s normal. What matters is:
Building real understanding, not just memorization
Practicing under pressure
Reviewing your mistakes deeply
And managing your mental energy on test day
My Study Stack (What Worked Best)
Neal Davis’s Associate-level course – For fundamentals and hands-on labs
Stephane Maarek’s Professional course – For structure and overall review
Stephane’s practice tests – Reviewed deeply
AWS SkillBuilder – Useful for pacing and extra practice
Tutorials Dojo – Best bang for your buck in terms of realistic questions and explanations
Final Advice
If you're on this journey, you're not alone. This exam is tough — but it’s absolutely doable with consistent prep and the right resources.
I hope this story helps someone out there avoid the mistakes I made and go in a little more prepared.
Good luck — and may your “ding” email come with a “Congratulations.”
