AWS Certified Solutions Architect - AssociatevsAWS Certified Developer - Associate
Which certification is right for you? Compare exam format, difficulty, and career benefits.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
SAA-C03Associate
Validates ability to design and implement distributed systems on AWS. Covers secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-optimized architectures using AWS services.
View Practice TestsAWS Certified Developer - Associate
DVA-C02Associate
Validates ability to develop, deploy, and debug cloud-based applications using AWS. Covers application development, security implementation, deployment automation, and troubleshooting.
View Practice TestsOur Recommendation
Both are associate-level certifications. Choose based on your career goals and current role.
| Comparison Factor | SAA-C03 | DVA-C02 |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Level | Associate | Associate |
| Exam Duration | 130 minutes | 130 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 65 questions (50 scored, 15 unscored) | 65 questions (50 scored, 15 unscored) |
| Passing Score | 720 out of 1000 | 720 out of 1000 |
| Certification Validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Recommended Experience | 1 year of hands-on experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS | 1+ years of hands-on experience developing and maintaining AWS-based applications |
| Practice Test Price | $19.99 | $19.99 |
Topics Covered Comparison
SAA-C03 Topics
Design Secure Architectures
30%Design Resilient Architectures
26%Design High-Performing Architectures
24%Design Cost-Optimized Architectures
20%DVA-C02 Topics
Development with AWS Services
32%Security
26%Deployment
24%Troubleshooting and Optimization
18%Which Should You Choose?
Choose SAA-C03 if:
- You have hands-on cloud experience
- Your role aligns with aws certified solutions architect responsibilities
- You want to start your certification journey here
Choose DVA-C02 if:
- You have hands-on cloud experience
- Your role aligns with aws certified developer responsibilities
- You want to specialize in this area
Ready to Start Preparing?
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