Big Industries Academy
With this How To? Series we want to Share Our Wisdom not only internally with our Big Industries colleagues but also with everyone who is passionate as us about new technologies. Passing the AWS Certified Data Engineer exam was a rewarding journey for Andreia, and she is excited to share her tips and resources that helped her succeed. If you are preparing for this certification, here is a roadmap that you might find helpful.
AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate validates skills and knowledge in core data-related AWS services, ability to ingest and transform data, orchestrate data pipelines while applying programming concepts, design data models, manage data life cycles, and ensure data quality.
1. Start with the Exam Guide
Before diving into your study materials, it is crucial to thoroughly review the AWS Certified Data Engineer exam guide. This guide outlines all the topics covered in the exam and provides a clear understanding of what to expect. Make sure you are familiar with each topic, as this will help you focus your study efforts on the areas that matter most.
2. Follow the AWS 5-Week Preparation Program
I began my preparation by following the 5-week AWS Data Engineer program. This structured program is an excellent starting point and includes weekly live sessions on Twitch, which are still available for review. These sessions were incredibly helpful in building a solid foundation and provided real-time insights from experts
3. Use AWS Skill Builder and Complete Hands-On Labs
The courses suggested in the AWS Skill Builder platform complemented the 5-week program perfectly. I also earned the Data Analytics Badge from AWS Cloud Quest by completing various labs, which offered hands-on experience and reinforced the theoretical knowledge I gained from the courses.
4. Practice with Official Pre-Tests
To get accustomed to the exam format and question style, I completed the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate Official Practice Question Set and the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate Official Pretest, each consisting of 65 questions. These tests were very important in helping me gauge my readiness and identify areas that needed more attention.
5. Watch Detailed Exam Resource Reviews
In the week leading up to the exam, I watched Johnny Chivers’ comprehensive video. This video offers detailed takeaways for each resource covered in the exam and is a fantastic review tool to solidify your understanding of key concepts.
6. Final 72-Hour Mock Question Review
In the final 72 hours, I focused on reviewing 80 mock questions, which were fundamental in my understanding and picking up quick takeaways. You can access these mock questions in the PDF attached to this post and you can access the explanation for each question in the following links: part 1 (1 - 40) and part 2 (40 - 80).
Additional Resources
To further assist in your preparation, I have attached two files to this post:
- 80 Mock Questions PDF: Use this to practice and familiarise yourself with the question style.
- Exam Topics Summary Guide: This concise guide covers all the exam topics in summary form. While it is a helpful resource, I recommend not relying solely on this guide. Instead, use it alongside the steps and resources listed above to ensure comprehensive preparation.
I hope these tips and resources help you on your path to becoming an AWS Certified Data Engineer. Good luck, and happy studying!
