AWS · 2026 Edition
A complete preparation guide, edited by Johnson Ajibi, a network and security engineer with 12+ years' experience. Covers the exam format,all 4 blueprint domains, a week-by-week study plan, and proven tips for passing first time.
2–4 months
Prep time
Intermediate
Difficulty
60–90
Exam questions
700/1000
Pass mark
Exam code
SAA-C03
Full name
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
Vendor
AWS
Duration
90 minutes
Questions
~150 items
Passing score
700/1000 (scaled)
Domains covered
4 blueprint domains
Recommended experience
Foundational IT knowledge recommended
Typical prep time
2–4 months
Domain percentage weights are not currently available for this exam. The checklist below is still useful for planning your study.
Phase 1
Design Secure Architectures
Tip: Start with the official Design Secure Architectures objectives, then practise questions on it.
Phase 2
Design Cost-Optimized Architectures
Tip: Cover the Design Cost-Optimized Architectures objectives, then answer practice questions to confirm you can apply them.
Phase 3
Design Resilient Architectures
Tip: Cover the Design Resilient Architectures objectives, then answer practice questions to confirm you can apply them.
Phase 4
Design High-Performing Architectures
Tip: Finish with Design High-Performing Architectures, then re-test your weakest earlier domain before a mock exam.
Study the official exam blueprint — weight percentages tell you exactly where to invest prep time.
Practise scenario-based questions regularly — every modern cert exam is scenario-heavy.
Use spaced repetition to retain what you've learned (Courseiva does this automatically).
Book your exam date once you're scoring 80%+ consistently on practice tests.
Review explanations for every wrong answer, not just the question — the 'why' is what makes it stick.
Apply everything in this guide with adaptive practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and domain analytics.