This three-day course prepares you for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam (SAA-C03), a widely requested credential for cloud architecture roles. You learn to design AWS architectures that are secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware, guided by the AWS Well-Architected Framework. Each domain is worked through with architecture scenarios and exam-style questions. The final half-day is devoted to a full case study and a mock exam reviewed question by question.
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Objectives
Design secure access with IAM, roles and identity federation
Protect networks and data with VPCs, security groups and encryption
Build decoupled, fault-tolerant architectures
Pick compute, storage and database services that match the workload
Cut costs without giving up reliability
Break down an exam scenario and rule out trap answers
Program
Design secure architectures (30%)
IAM, multi-account setups and federation
Network security in the VPC
Encryption and key management
Design resilient architectures (26%)
Decoupling with queues and events
Multi-AZ high availability
Backup and disaster recovery
Design high-performing architectures (24%)
Fit-for-purpose storage and databases
Scaling compute
Caching and content delivery
Design cost-optimised architectures (20%)
Compute purchasing options
Storage classes and lifecycle
Network and data transfer costs
Wrap-up labs and exam practice
Case study: moving a three-tier web application
Architecture review against the six Well-Architected pillars
Timed mock exam with a detailed debrief
Prerequisites
AWS recommends at least one year of hands-on experience designing on AWS
Strong on-premises infrastructure experience can partly make up for it
Networking basics (IP, subnets, DNS) and security fundamentals
Cloud Practitioner helps but is not mandatory
Target audience
Cloud architects and engineers
Systems and network administrators moving to AWS
Developers designing cloud applications
Consultants and technical pre-sales staff
The exam
The SAA-C03 exam has 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions, 15 of them unscored, with 130 minutes to answer. You need 720 on a 100–1000 scale, with no per-domain minimum. You can sit it at a Pearson VUE centre or online with a remote proctor, in languages including English and French. AWS lists the fee at USD 150. The certification lasts three years and is renewed by retaking the exam or by earning the Professional level.
Preparation tips
Read each question looking for the deciding criterion: cost, availability, performance or security.
Rebuild the course architectures in a sandbox account.
Aim for steady practice-test scores above 80% before you book.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is SAA-C03 hard?
It is an intermediate, scenario-based exam. Most questions describe a business situation and ask for the best design, so it rewards understanding architecture trade-offs far more than memorising service names.
Do I need to code?
No. AWS states the certification does not require deep hands-on coding experience.
Should I take Cloud Practitioner first?
It is not required. If you are brand new to AWS it gives a useful base in vocabulary and billing; if you already work with AWS, you can go straight for SAA-C03.
Can I take the exam in French?
Yes, French (France) is one of the languages AWS offers. The course itself is taught in French or English.
How long does the certification last?
Three years. You renew it by passing the current exam again or by earning Solutions Architect – Professional.
Securevalley training — online and in-person sessions. Contact us for pricing and registration terms.
Securevalley is not a training partner of AWS. AWS, Amazon Web Services and AWS Certified are trademarks of Amazon Web Services, Inc. or its affiliates.