Which AWS certification should I do first?

For your first AWS certification, start with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) if you're new to cloud or want a broad overview of basic services, pricing, and security; then, for a deeper, role-based path, move to the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) for its foundational design knowledge, or the AWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA-C02) if your focus is on coding and application development.

Which AWS certification should I get first?

TL;DR. AWS certifications validate cloud skills and open the door to career growth. Cloud Practitioner is the best starting point for beginners and non-technical roles. Associate-level certifications (Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps) are for professionals already working with AWS.

Which AWS course to start with?

Start with: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner to validate foundational AWS Cloud knowledge, then earn AWS Certified AI Practitioner to showcase AI knowledge. Outcome: Sharpens your competitive edge. Positions you for in-demand cloud and AI job roles and to earn additional AWS Certifications.

Which AWS cert is most in-demand?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification validates your ability to design secure, scalable, cost-optimized cloud architectures on AWS. It's one of the most in-demand AWS certifications globally.

What is CLF 01 and CLF 02?

CLF-01 and CLF-02 refer to different versions of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, an entry-level certification for understanding Amazon Web Services (AWS); CLF-C01 was the older version, phased out in September 2023 when the updated CLF-C02 was introduced, featuring changes like incorporating the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF), updated pricing topics (Savings Plans), and slight adjustments to domain weights, focusing more broadly on cloud concepts, security, technology, and support.
 

AWS Certification Roadmap for Complete Beginners

Is AWS CLF-C02 easy?

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam or AWS CCP is the easiest to achieve among all the AWS certification exams. This certification covers most if not all, fundamental knowledge that one should know when venturing into the Cloud.

Can I learn cloud in 3 months?

Yes, you can learn the fundamentals and even prepare for an entry-level job in cloud computing within 3 months, but it requires intense focus, dedication, and many hours (6-8+) of daily study and hands-on practice, especially if starting from scratch, focusing on core services like AWS EC2, S3, and IAM. Achieving job readiness in this timeframe is ambitious but possible with structured bootcamps or a highly disciplined self-study plan, though deeper expertise takes longer. 

Which AWS cert is the hardest?

Specialty certification exams are designed for professionals with deep knowledge in specific technical areas.

• AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C02) Difficulty: Very Challenging. ...
• AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty (MLS-C01) Difficulty: Very Challenging. ...
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty (ANS-C01)

Is AWS still in demand in 2025?

Yes, AWS is extremely in demand in 2025, remaining the cloud market leader with huge demand for skilled professionals in areas like DevOps, AI/ML, security, and data engineering as businesses accelerate cloud adoption and digital transformation, making AWS certifications and expertise highly valuable for future-proof careers. The focus has shifted from initial cloud migration to optimizing costs, security, and leveraging advanced services, with opportunities spanning startups to Fortune 500 companies.
 

Can I use ChatGPT for AWS certification?

Leveraging AWS Certification and ChatGPT Together

ChatGPT can enhance your AWS Developer Associate experience in many ways. Here are a few: Learn and grow: ChatGPT can act as a teacher and help you learn the core AWS services, their key features, and how they integrate.

Is NASA using AWS?

NASA has established a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the "purposes of research and collaboration on the discovery, access, and use of high-value NASA science datasets."

What's the easiest AWS certification?

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) is the easiest Amazon Web Services certification. It's a beginner-friendly cloud certification that covers the basics of AWS and the cloud and requires no technical experience as a prerequisite.

What AWS certifications increase salary?

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional earn professionals on average $164,012. AWS Certified Developer – Associate earn professionals on average $125,879. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty earn professionals on average $171,725. AWS Certified Security - Specialty earn professionals on average $158,594.

What AWS skills are most in demand?

Most Important AWS Skills in 2025

• Cloud Architecture and Infrastructure Design. ...
• DevOps and Automation. ...
• Security and Compliance. ...
• Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. ...
• Networking and Content Delivery. ...
• Cost Optimization and Financial Management. ...
• Scripting and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Which certification is best for freshers?

Increasing Job Opportunities: Having certifications in trending areas such as digital marketing, data analytics, cloud computing, or financial modeling makes a fresher's job application stand out.

Which is best, Azure or AWS?

Neither AWS nor Azure is universally "better"; the choice depends on business needs, but AWS leads in market share, maturity, and service breadth, ideal for diverse startups and large scale, while Azure excels in hybrid cloud, Microsoft integration, and enterprise environments, benefiting organizations already using Microsoft products, notes NetCom Learning, Data Engineer Academy, and TrustedTech. AWS offers extensive services and flexibility, while Azure provides a strong all-in-one platform, particularly for hybrid scenarios with tools like Azure Arc, as detailed in this Miro article. 

Is 28 too late for cloud or cybersecurity?

Age should never be perceived as a barrier to pursuing a cybersecurity career. The world of technology is constantly evolving, so the industry values individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What is the basic salary for AWS?

AWS salaries vary greatly by role, experience, and location, with entry-level roles starting around $40k-$70k but quickly rising; for example, an AWS Developer might average over $123k, while a Cloud Practitioner with some experience could see $96k+, with top software engineers at Amazon earning much higher base pay (over $130k) plus significant bonuses.
 

How many people fail AWS certification?

After passing an exam, you cannot retake the same exam for two years. What is the typical failure rate for the AWS certification exam? The failure rate for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) exam is approximately 72%, with only about 28% of candidates passing on their first attempt.

Can I pass AWS cloud Practitioner in a week?

Passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is possible in a short time frame. Focus on consistent study, understanding concepts (not just memorization), gaining a broad overview of AWS services, and utilizing practice exams to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Will AI replace cloud computing?

Answer: No, AI will not replace cloud computing developers. While AI can automate resource management and monitoring, developers are essential for designing cloud architectures, ensuring security, and customizing solutions for business needs.

Which is the easiest cloud certification?

Cloud Certifications for Beginners

• CompTIA Cloud+
• Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)
• AWS Cloud Practitioner.
• Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals.
• Google Associate Cloud Engineer.
• GIAC Cloud Security Essentials Certification (GCLD)
• EC-Council Cloud Security Engineer (C|CSE)

Is AWS free for 12 months?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers over 200 feature-rich and widely adopted services based on its global data centers and allows you to use certain services for free within 12 months after your account creation.