AWS Developer exam-day guide
AWS Developer · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original physical ID (not a photocopy or photo on your phone). The name on it must match your exam registration exactly. Confirm the specific accepted ID types with the provider (needs_review).
Second form of identification
Some delivery partners request a second ID or a signature-bearing card. Requirements vary by location and delivery method, so confirm with the provider whether one is required (needs_review).
Appointment confirmation and registration ID
Have your appointment confirmation email, registration number, and the AWS certification account login accessible in case you need to verify details at check-in or with support.
Test-center logistics (if taking in person)
Confirm the address, parking/transit options, and the provider's recommended arrival time (commonly 15-30 minutes before the start; confirm with the provider). Do a dry run of the route if the location is unfamiliar.
System and equipment check (if online proctored)
Run the provider's system test on the exact machine and network you will use, ideally 48-24 hours ahead. Verify webcam, microphone, browser version, and upload/download speed, and keep a backup internet option (mobile hotspot) available.
Compliant workspace (if online proctored)
Use a quiet, private room with a door you can close, a clear desk, good lighting on your face, and the computer plugged in. Remove phones, smart watches, second monitors, notes, and anything on the walls that could be mistaken for reference material.
Scratch materials
Test centers typically supply a notepad and pen and may require you to return them. Online sessions may permit a small whiteboard or blank sheets depending on the proctor. Confirm what is allowed before exam day (needs_review).
A time-management plan
The exam has 65 questions in 130 minutes, roughly two minutes per question. Decide in advance that you will flag anything running past ~3 minutes and come back to it.
A short pre-exam review sheet
One page you wrote yourself covering the highest-yield areas: Lambda invocation models and concurrency, DynamoDB indexes and conditional writes, API Gateway integrations and stages, Cognito user vs. identity pools, SAM/CloudFormation, CodePipeline/CodeBuild/CodeDeploy, Elastic Beanstalk deployment policies, and X-Ray/SQS/SNS/Kinesis basics. Do not try to learn new topics from it on the morning of the exam.
Water and a snack for before/after
Scheduled breaks are limited, so eat and hydrate beforehand. Anything you bring into the testing room is subject to the provider's rules; confirm what can be kept at your desk (needs_review).
Provider support contact details
Save the phone number or chat link for exam-day technical support so you can reach a human quickly if the launch or check-in fails.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam guide and confirm the domains and their weightings. Take one timed practice set and review only the explanations for questions you missed. Stop studying new services; instead, tighten your notes on the areas you keep getting wrong.
Verify that your registration name matches your ID exactly and that the appointment time, time zone, and delivery method (test center vs. online proctored) are what you expect. Resolve any discrepancy with the provider now, not on exam day.
If online proctored, run the system test on your final machine and network. If in person, confirm the address and plan your arrival buffer.
Do a light pass only: your one-page review sheet, service limits that commonly appear (Lambda timeout and memory, SQS visibility timeout and retention, DynamoDB item size), and deployment strategy names. No full-length practice exams the day before.
Prepare the logistics: ID out and ready, workspace cleared, laptop charged, webcam and mic tested, backup internet identified, clothes and pockets checked. Sleep a normal night; a rested recall beats an extra hour of cramming.
Eat properly and avoid back-to-back caffeine. Log in or arrive early per the provider's guidance. Close all other applications, silence devices, and put your phone out of reach. Keep your ID visible for check-in.
Read every question to the end and watch for 'choose two' or 'choose three' and for 'MOST cost-effective' / 'LEAST operational overhead' qualifiers. Answer every question, since unanswered items can only hurt you. Flag long or ambiguous items and move on, then use remaining time to revisit flagged questions.
If the session freezes, disconnects, or the proctor intervenes, stop and contact support immediately rather than trying to fix it alone. Note the time so you can explain any lost minutes.
Rules to check
Your registration name must match your government-issued photo ID exactly. If it does not, contact the provider before exam day, as you may be turned away at check-in.
Only authorized materials are permitted in the testing environment. Phones, smart watches, notes, printed material, and a second screen are prohibited, and leaving the camera view during an online session can result in the session being voided.
There is generally no scheduled break on this associate-level exam and the timer keeps running once the exam starts. Confirm the current break policy for your delivery method with the provider.
The exam is scored on a scaled range of 100-1000, and the passing score for this exam is commonly stated as 720. Confirm the current passing standard on the official AWS certification page, as it can change.
There is no penalty for guessing. An unanswered question scores the same as a wrong answer, so never leave a blank.
Your result is typically shown provisionally at the end of the session, with official confirmation in your AWS certification account afterward. Confirm the exact reporting timeline with the provider.
If you do not pass, a waiting period applies before you may retake the exam. Confirm the current retake policy and any fee with the provider.
You agree not to disclose, reproduce, or discuss exam content. Do not post question text or attempt to reconstruct items afterward.