Mind In The Clouds: Studying for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The time has come for me to pursue my 1^st certification in the area of Cybersecurity. In my career, I’ve been iffy about obtaining certifications because the roles did not align with the entry-level certifications. For instance, in my role as a System Test Engineer, I would not need the Security + certification, because the responsibilities of that position did not align with that certification.  Therefore, throughout my career, I was able to excel without needing certifications until this point.

Recently, I’ve embarked with a small company as a System Engineer supporting a Department Homeland Security / Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS/CISA) contract. This role and position requirements allow me to acquire the skills for the cloud security industry. Thus, studying for the AWS CCP certification is my focus for this new career journey. In this blog, I will share the techniques I used to study for this exam.

eLearning Platform

First, the learning platform I completed to understanding the basics was on the AWS website. Click here to enroll in the free course https://www.aws.training/Details/Curriculum?id=27076

After, I concluded that video series. I took a long break due to my job searching for taking longer than expected. Fast forwarded, to 2020 accepting a new position my current co-workers passed their exams. So, I asked what resources they used, and everyone mentioned WhizLabs.

Second learning platform Whizlabs to learn more use this link reference https://www.whizlabs.com/cloud-certification-training-courses/   

Studying Method Process

1. Created an online Whizlab account on Jan 8th, 2020, and paid for the course, free practice exam, and additional three practice exams for about $25.
2. I listened to the video content on headphones since I’m an auditory learner.
3. For this platform and video content, it was about 85 videos, and it took me about three days to complete with breaks in between during an 8-hour work shift.
4. Completed Jan 13^th, 2020
5. Listened to the AWS Overview White Paper the whole document within two days

 ( on headphones) https://d1.awsstatic.com/whitepapers/aws-overview.pdf?did=wp_card&trk=wp_card

• Jan 14^th-15^th
• Practiced 1^st exam to test knowledge after watching the videos scored low.
• Jan 17^th
• Purchased a study notebook and documented each test questions and test answers.
• There are three exams and 65 questions each = 195 questions
• Completed final documentation on Feb 7^th, 2020
• Recorded each question and answer in the notebook. Highlighted important keywords. Used the eliminated method to understand why the choices were wrong
• Since I’m an auditory learner, I must study with music so things will stick. Some of the music I listen to deals with frequencies to help the brain focus.  Here is what I listened to for brain focus:

 (Must listen with headphones to get the full effect)

• Study Music- Alpha Waves for Focus, Concertation, Memory- Binaural Beats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g72mcDLE8Hc
• 3 hours Long Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation Chakra Healing – Third Eyebrow Chakra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6QTdvbu0uI
• Testing Day Jhene Aiko Trigger Protection Mantra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkJGa0eaktE
• Since documentation was completed, I reviewed each of the questions to understand the concepts and answers Feb 8^th-Feb 9^th
• Feb 9^th-13^th, I will retake all three practice exams until I score 80% or better on each exam.
• I scheduled my exam for Feb 22^nd at noon. (I studied for about two months)

In conclusion, this is the learning method I used. I noticed since I was more interested in this topic, studying was not as dreadful.  There are a lot of resources out there to help you pass this exam. Find the one that fits your needs. I enjoyed the Whizlab course because it focused on all the topics. Remember, you must put in the work to succeed.

Update: I did attempt the exam. I did not pass on the 1^st time. However, the techniques I used did help with the following, ease of stress during the exam, understanding the concepts with focusing on keywords.

Overall, this exam covers a lot of material, and you really won’t know what all will be on the review until you get in the exam room.

I will attempt this exam next month.  Hopefully, sharing my experience and what I did could help someone!