How I Passed the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam
A High-Level Study Guide
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) exam serves as an excellent entry point for individuals looking to establish a foundational understanding of cloud computing. In preparing for this exam, I adopted a hands-on, project-based learning approach, supplemented with practice exams and thorough review of mistakes. This post details my preparation strategy and offers insights to help others successfully pass the AWS CCP exam.
A significant portion of my preparation involved project-based learning, which I found to be the most effective way to internalize AWS concepts. Rather than simply memorizing theory, I built my own AWS-based projects to gain real-world experience. One such project involved deploying a static website on Amazon S3, using A.I. , HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (themeforest.net is really neat for HTML based website templates). Through deploying an S3 bucket static website you can gain foundational experience in key AWS services such as Amazon S3 for storage, CloudFront for content distribution, IAM roles and policies for access control, and Route 53 for domain management. This experience will not only strengthen your understanding of AWS fundamentals but also enhance your resume by demonstrating practical cloud skills.
I recommend Stephane Maarek’s Ultimate Cloud Practitioner Course (genuine opinion, not paid advertisement). I am thankful I went through this material in preparation for the CCP exam. Sephane’s course is completely based on hands-on learning. This course is a wonderful way to prepare for the CCP exam with hands-on, project based experience. In his course he offers hands on walkthroughs of most all foundational AWS services and ties them very well to the theory you learn in the course.
In my opinion, the best way to learn AWS, and cloud in general, is to learn theory and put the theory into practice. This model of learning will give you a quality foundation as you learn best practices and AWS’ foundational services. A strong foundation like this is an incredibly informed launchpad into intelligently experimenting in AWS where you will learn far more than any course will be able to teach you.
AWS project-based learning is incredibly beneficial. It allowed me to become comfortable navigating the AWS Management Console and develop problem-solving skills applied to AWS, both of which are essential for success in AWS exams, future job opportunities, and AWS projects. Moreover, working on real-world projects made the learning process engaging and exciting, as it provided the practical applications for theoretical knowledge.
Following Stephane’s course and my projects, I transitioned to practice exams. To gauge my knowledge and readiness for the exam, I took six practice exams, including the free one provided in Stephane Maarek’s Ultimate Certified Cloud Practitioner Course on Udemy. The practice exams in Stephane’s Practice exam sets for CCP allowed me to familiarize myself with AWS-style questions, identify weak areas, and continually gain proficiency in my understanding of the material.
To reinforce my learning, I supplemented my study routine with Quizlet flashcards, which provided additional exposure to common exam topics. The combination of hands-on learning, practice exams, Stephane’s CCP course, and supplementary flashcard review helped solidify my knowledge and ensure a well-rounded understanding of AWS services and best practices.
A critical aspect of my preparation was reviewing mistakes from the practice exams. Since AWS certification exams are designed to assess competency rather than rote memorization, learning from mistakes was a key part of my study process. Whenever I answered a question incorrectly, I would carefully read the explanation, follow links to AWS white papers or website links, and take comprehensive notes. I preferred using handwritten notes or the Obsidian note-taking app (also not paid advertisement), as note taking can help reinforce learning.
By establishing a structured approach to reviewing mistakes, I was able to transform weaknesses into strengths. This process of active learning, supplemented by AWS white papers and official documentation, deepened my understanding and ensured that I was well-prepared for the actual exam.
Once I felt comfortable with the content after completing three practice exams, I scheduled my exam for later that evening. On the day of the exam, I took three additional practice exams, thoroughly reviewed both correct and incorrect answers, and revisited AWS documentation where necessary. This final round of review boosted my confidence and ensured I was fully prepared to pass the exam.
In conclusion, my success in passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam stemmed from a structured and hands-on approach to learning. By focusing on AWS projects, hands-on courses, practice exams, and systematic mistake review, I was able to master the necessary concepts and demonstrate my competence by passing the AWS CCP exam. For anyone preparing for the AWS CCP exam, I highly recommend this approach.
To summarize:
Engage in hands-on AWS projects – Practical experience is invaluable & Maarek’s course is quality.
Take practice exams – These will help identify weak areas and improve understanding.
Review mistakes thoroughly – Read explanations, study AWS white papers, and take notes.
Study AWS & other documentation – Official resources & various input from a variety of study material can help patch any holes in your knowledge of AWS services.
Schedule the exam when confident – Avoid unnecessary delays once you feel prepared.
Learning AWS is a rewarding journey, and mastering cloud computing concepts can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Keep building projects, improving your skills, and moving forward. Good luck on your AWS journey!