IT & Cloud
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Quick facts
| Provider | Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
|---|---|
| Exam code | SAA-C03 |
| Level | intermediate |
| Format | Multiple choice and multiple response |
| Questions | 65 questions (50 scored) |
| Duration | 2h 10m |
| Passing score | 720 / 1000 |
| Exam fee | $150 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Languages | EN, DE, JA, KO, ZH, ES, FR, PT, IT |
Overview
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) is the most popular intermediate AWS certification. It tests whether you can design cost-effective, secure and resilient systems on AWS, rather than whether you can memorise individual service settings.
The exam rewards understanding of trade-offs: choosing between storage classes, deciding when to use a managed service versus self-managed infrastructure, and designing for failure across Availability Zones. Most candidates pass with two to three months of focused study plus hands-on practice in a free-tier account.
Who it is for
- Engineers who want a widely recognised, role-based cloud credential
- People already working with AWS who want to formalise their knowledge
- Developers and sysadmins moving into cloud or DevOps roles
Who it is not for
- Total cloud beginners — start with Cloud Practitioner or hands-on labs.
- Developers focused on building apps (the Developer Associate fits better).
- Anyone avoiding hands-on practice — this exam rewards real console time.
Exam structure
| Design Secure Architectures | 30% — IAM, data protection, secure network design |
|---|---|
| Design Resilient Architectures | 26% — multi-tier, decoupled and highly available designs |
| Design High-Performing Architectures | 24% — scalable storage, compute, networking and databases |
| Design Cost-Optimized Architectures | 20% — right-sizing, storage and pricing trade-offs |
How the exam is weighted
- Design Secure Architectures 30%
- Design Resilient Architectures 26%
- Design High-Performing Architectures 24%
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures 20%
Realistic study time
- Cloud Practitioner / some AWS 60-80 hours over 8-10 weeks
- New to AWS 100-140 hours
Bars show relative effort, not a guarantee. Your time depends on background and study method.
What it really costs
| Exam fee | US$150 |
|---|---|
| Retake | Full fee again |
| Study materials + labs | US$0-300 — free tier plus optional paid courses |
| Renewal | Recertify within 3 years |
Fees change and vary by region. Confirm the current amount on the official site before you register.
Is it worth it?
For most cloud and DevOps roles, yes. SAA-C03 is one of the highest-signal associate-level certifications on a CV, it is referenced in many job descriptions, and the hands-on knowledge transfers directly to day-to-day work. It is less useful if you never touch AWS in practice.
What to do next
SAA is the most popular Associate cert. From here go Professional or specialise. Compare AWS SAA vs Azure AZ-104 if you are choosing a cloud.
FAQ
- How hard is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam?
- It is an intermediate exam. Beginners typically need two to three months of study; people already working with AWS often need less. The difficulty is in scenario judgement, not trivia.
- Do I need the Cloud Practitioner first?
- No. There are no prerequisites. Many people go straight to SAA-C03, though Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is a gentler on-ramp if you are completely new to AWS.
- How long is the certification valid?
- Three years. You can recertify by passing the current version of the exam or a higher-level AWS certification before it expires.
Related exams
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)— Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)— Microsoft