By Jonathan 
AWS certs still open doors in cloud tech and can boost your salary and job prospects. Pick the exam that fits your role, get hands-on with AWS tools, and use practice questions to get comfortable with the real test format.
Why So Many People Are Talking About AWS Certs
If you’ve spent more than five minutes browsing IT job boards lately, you’ve seen it: “AWS Certified Preferred” or “Cloud certification required.” The demand is real, and it’s not slowing down. Whether you’re new to tech or a grizzled sysadmin trying to keep up, AWS certifications have become a kind of “golden ticket” for cloud careers in 2025. But is it really worth the hassle, cost, and stress? In my experience—and the stories I hear from colleagues—the answer is usually yes.
Career Impact: More Than Just a Resume Booster
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: yes, AWS certifications look great on a résumé and definitely help get your application noticed. But what most people don’t realize is how often these certs are used as gatekeepers. For a lot of cloud, DevOps, and engineering roles, “AWS Certified” is the difference between your CV getting a look or getting ignored.
I’ve personally watched teammates with just a year or two in IT get interviews for jobs that would’ve been a reach otherwise—all because they had a relevant AWS badge. Salary-wise, the bump is real: most surveys show AWS-certified folks earn noticeably more than their non-certified peers.
Which AWS Cert Should You Actually Go For?
This is where a lot of people get tripped up. There are a ton of AWS certs now, from the entry-level Cloud Practitioner to big dogs like Solutions Architect Professional.
- If you’re new: Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is the smart first move.
- For hands-on tech roles: Developer Associate or SysOps Admin Associate is better.
- Already working with AWS every day? The professional-level certs (and specialty tracks) are a real test but can really set you apart.
My advice: pick the one that matches what you do—or want to do—in real life. Don’t just chase what sounds fancy.
AWS Certifications by Level
| Level | Example Certification | Typical Candidate | Avg. Salary Uplift* |
| Foundational | Cloud Practitioner | Beginners, Non-IT | 5–10% |
| Associate | Solutions Architect Assoc. | IT Pros, Junior Engineers | 10–20% |
| Professional | Solutions Architect Pro | Senior/Lead Engineers | 20%+ |
| Specialty | Security, ML, Data Analytics | Niche Specialists | Varies |
What’s the Exam Really Like?
If you’re imagining a simple, fact-based test, think again. AWS exams are notorious for scenario-based questions and multi-layered problems. It’s not “what’s the definition of S3?” but “given this architecture, what’s the best way to solve this problem, under these constraints?” Honestly, it’s challenging—but fair.
A lot of people fail the first time because they’re not used to thinking like AWS wants you to. Practice is key, and so is reading every question twice. You’ll find some curveballs that make you doubt your answer, even if you know the topic cold.
Study Hacks From Real Test Takers
Here’s what’s worked for me and plenty of others:
- Don’t skip the hands-on labs. The AWS Free Tier is your friend. Spin up services, break things, and learn by doing.
- Mix study resources: I like to blend video courses (A Cloud Guru, YouTube), whitepapers, and good old-fashioned notes.
- Practice exams are a must. You can’t get used to the AWS question style any other way.
- Don’t study in a vacuum. Join a forum or find a Discord—sometimes a quick chat clears up what hours of reading won’t.
And yes, practice dumps have a place. I use them to find my weak spots and get a sense of the exam’s difficulty. The Cert Empire AWS collection has up-to-date dumps that actually reflect what’s on the real test, in my experience. Don’t just memorize—use them as “stress tests” for your knowledge.
Top Study Resources for AWS Certification
| Resource Type | Provider/Example | Why It’s Useful |
| Official Whitepapers | AWS Docs | Core concepts, exam focus |
| Video Courses | A Cloud Guru, Udemy | Visual, step-by-step |
| Practice Exams | Cert Empire, Whizlabs | Closest to real exam |
| AWS Free Tier | AWS.com | Hands-on practice |
| Community Forums | Reddit, Discord | Peer advice, Q&A |
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Effort?
Look, AWS certs aren’t magic. They won’t replace real experience or curiosity. But in today’s cloud-first world, they’ll open doors that might otherwise stay closed. The exam might be tough, but so is the competition—and if you’re willing to prep right, you’ll come out the other side with a cert that actually means something.
If you want more flexibility in your tech career, a fatter paycheck, or even just proof you can master something hard, AWS certs are still a great bet in 2025.