Can We Take AWS Solutions Architect Professional Directly? Insights from OpsNexa

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam is one of the most advanced certifications offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It demonstrates deep technical knowledge and expertise in designing complex, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS. Many aspiring AWS professionals are curious whether they can directly take the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam, or if there are any prerequisites that must be met first.

In this article, we’ll discuss whether it’s possible to directly take the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam, what the exam entails, and the preparation you’ll need to succeed.

What is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional Exam?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam is designed for individuals with extensive experience in designing, deploying, and operating applications and systems on the AWS platform. This advanced certification validates your ability to design highly scalable, cost-efficient, and reliable architectures on AWS. It requires a deep understanding of AWS services and their application in real-world scenarios.

Key Areas Covered in the Exam:

• Designing for high availability and fault tolerance

• Designing and deploying large-scale systems

• Optimization of performance and cost

• Designing complex migration strategies

• Implementing security best practices

• Managing multi-account architectures

The AWS Solutions Architect – Professional exam is known for its high difficulty level and requires practical experience in AWS architecture.

Can We Take AWS Solutions Architect Professional Directly?

Technically, AWS does not require you to complete the Associate-level certification before attempting the Professional exam. However, AWS recommends that candidates have the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification before attempting the Professional-level exam.

The AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam is intended for experienced professionals with at least two years of hands-on experience with AWS, and skipping the Associate-level certification can make the process more difficult. While it’s possible to take the Professional exam directly, most candidates find that completing the Associate certification first helps build the foundational knowledge necessary for success in the more advanced Professional exam.

Why You Should Consider Completing the Associate Exam First

Here are several reasons why it’s typically better to take the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate exam before attempting the Professional exam:

1. Foundation Knowledge is Essential

The AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification covers fundamental AWS services and architectural concepts, which are essential for understanding the more complex topics covered in the Professional exam. The Associate exam covers topics such as:

• EC2, S3, and VPC basics

• IAM for managing security and access

• S3 storage configurations

• Elastic Load Balancing for distributing traffic

By completing the Associate certification, you gain a solid understanding of how AWS services work together, which is critical for solving the complex problems presented in the Professional exam.

2. Hands-On Experience Builds Confidence

AWS recommends that candidates have at least two years of hands-on experience with AWS before attempting the Professional exam. The Associate-level certification is a great way to gain practical experience working with core AWS services. Skipping this step might leave you with gaps in your knowledge that could hinder your ability to tackle real-world scenarios in the Professional exam.

The hands-on experience gained through the Associate exam will build your confidence in applying AWS services to solve complex architectural problems.

3. The Professional Exam is More Difficult

The AWS Solutions Architect – Professional exam is much more challenging than the Associate-level exam. The Professional exam includes a variety of real-world, scenario-based questions that require you to design and optimize large-scale AWS architectures. It tests not only your knowledge but also your problem-solving skills in the context of advanced AWS services and architectures.

By taking the Associate exam first, you will be better prepared for the level of difficulty and complexity you will face in the Professional exam.

Is There Any Way to Skip the Associate Exam?

While AWS does not officially require you to complete the Solutions Architect Associate exam before attempting the Professional exam, it is highly recommended for most candidates. That said, there are scenarios where skipping the Associate exam might be feasible:

1. Extensive Real-World Experience

If you already have extensive experience working with AWS, you may be able to bypass the Associate exam and directly attempt the Professional exam. Professionals who have worked with AWS for two or more years and have been responsible for architecting and deploying applications on AWS may find that they already possess the knowledge needed for the Professional exam.

However, even with significant hands-on experience, it’s still essential to ensure that you are comfortable with the topics covered in the Professional exam. Skipping the Associate certification without adequate preparation could make the exam significantly more challenging.

2. Advanced Knowledge in Cloud Architecture

If you already have advanced knowledge of cloud architecture, whether from previous certifications or prior work experience with other cloud providers, you may find that the AWS Solutions Architect – Professional exam aligns well with your skills. In this case, you could skip the Associate-level certification and go straight for the Professional-level exam.

However, be mindful that the AWS Professional exam is designed for AWS-specific architectures, and your previous cloud knowledge may not be sufficient without the deep familiarity with AWS services.

Why It’s Still Better to Take the Associate Exam First

Although it’s possible to skip the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification and go straight for the Professional exam, taking the Associate exam first offers several advantages:

1. More Structured Learning Path

The AWS Solutions Architect – Associate exam provides a structured learning path, helping you gradually build your knowledge and skills in cloud architecture. Without this step, you may find the Professional exam overwhelming, as it assumes an in-depth understanding of AWS services and cloud architecture principles.

2. Familiarity with the Exam Format

Taking the Associate exam first will help you familiarize yourself with the AWS exam format, question types, and the overall exam experience. This will make the Professional exam less intimidating, as you will already be accustomed to the testing environment.

3. Practice with Core AWS Services

The Associate exam covers essential AWS services such as Amazon EC2, S3, RDS, CloudFormation, and Elastic Load Balancer, which are fundamental to understanding more complex AWS architectures. The Professional exam will test your ability to apply these services in large-scale, multi-tier architectures, making a solid understanding of them crucial.

How to Prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect – Professional Exam

If you’ve decided to pursue the AWS Solutions Architect – Professional certification, whether directly or after completing the Associate certification, here are some tips to help you prepare:

1. Review the Exam Blueprint

Start by reviewing the official AWS exam blueprint for the Professional exam. This will help you understand the specific topics covered and the areas that you need to focus on.

2. Take Official AWS Training

AWS offers a variety of official training courses specifically designed for the Professional exam. These courses provide in-depth coverage of advanced AWS services and architecture patterns.

3. Gain Hands-On Experience

Practical experience with AWS services is critical for passing the Professional exam. Try to work on real-world projects, and utilize the AWS Free Tier to practice with services like EC2, Lambda, RDS, and VPC.

4. Use Practice Exams

Take practice exams to get a feel for the exam format and test your knowledge of the material. AWS and other online platforms provide sample exams and mock tests that simulate the real exam experience.

5. Join AWS Communities

Participate in AWS communities, forums, and discussion groups. Engaging with other AWS professionals will help you learn from others’ experiences and gain valuable tips for exam preparation.

Conclusion

While AWS does not have an official requirement for you to take the Solutions Architect – Associate certification before attempting the Solutions Architect – Professional exam, it is highly recommended for most candidates. The Associate certification provides foundational knowledge and hands-on experience with AWS services, which is essential for succeeding in the more complex Professional exam.

At OpsNexa, we recommend following a structured learning path, starting with the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate certification. This will give you the foundation you need to confidently tackle the Professional exam and advance your cloud architecture career. Whether you choose to take the Associate exam first or go directly to the Professional exam, thorough preparation and hands-on experience with AWS are key to success.

By earning the AWS Solutions Architect – Professional certification, you can demonstrate your advanced cloud architecture expertise and open doors to new career opportunities in the ever-growing AWS ecosystem.