[24th graduate] AWS Cloud Practitioner passing experience by new graduate [Shikoku Office]

Introduction

Hello!
I'm Okarin, a 24-year-old graduate of the System Solutions Department, Shikoku Office.

I would like to talk about
the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner ( CLF , the first qualification I obtained after joining Beyond, Inc.

This article describes how I studied to pass the CLF

this article will be helpful for those who
have the time and are able to study continuously every day When I started studying for this qualification, I had no knowledge of AWS.
So, I think it will be useful information for non-engineers who have a similar study method to me.

Beyond Co., Ltd.'s blog also has past articles about
CLF If you find this blog's study method difficult, please take a look at the following blogs as well.

AWS Cloud Practitioner Pass Experience for Public Relations Recruitment

[Study method disclosed] I tried to obtain the AWS Cloud Practitioner qualification even though it was a public relations job after 3 months of joining the company.

, unlike
the previous article I wrote If you are interested, please contact us as well!

[24th graduate] [Shikoku Office] I tried office relocation work [Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture]

Phase 1: Reference books

In order to obtain the qualification, I first started by reading reference books.
The reference book I used is `` AWS Certification Exam Text AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Revised 3rd Edition ''.

This reference book corresponds to the "CLF-C02" exam, which started in 2023, and is characterized by very detailed explanations.
I read this book at the following pace.

1. Read through the book quickly
2. Read each unit carefully
3. Repeat above steps

1-1: Read through briefly

For the first step, ``read through the book,'' it is fine to just skim the content.
We are not asking you to read cover to cover and understand everything.
What I'm looking for I have finished reading this book .

Even if I suddenly try to read it from cover to cover, I end up getting tired and giving up.
However, once you have seen all the pages, you can figure out things like, ``How many pages are left in this book?''

In other words, what I did here was to lower the barrier to reading books

As I've said many times before, you don't need to memorize everything here.
Of course, it's okay if you don't understand the meaning.
It doesn't matter if you have even vaguely heard the phrase.

Let's keep lowering the hurdles for studying.

Read each unit carefully

Now, what should you do next after reading the book?

The next step is to use the old-fashioned method of memorizing the content of the page

This reference book is divided into units.
When I was studying, I tried to read one unit a day.
Just one unit per day is fine.
One unit of a reference book is not that many pages.

I have studied for various qualifications so far, and the hardest part has been continuing.
For example, do you ever study thinking, ``I couldn't do it yesterday, so I'll do what I did yesterday'' or ``I have time today, so I'll do more''?

In my case, there were many times when I forced myself to study and wasted my time because of this kind of thinking.

What I want to say here, although it may seem persistent, is to set the bar for studying low.
Of course, there may be times when you are not satisfied with just one unit.
Sometimes I think I should do one more unit. I won't stop it.

However, this is only possible when you can read the reference book over and over again and memorize its contents.

If you force yourself from the beginning, it will only affect you later.
Therefore, study one unit thoroughly and spend the rest on hobbies or sleeping.

Come to think of it, you didn't explain about the study time.
I think the time slots that people can afford differs from person to person.
I was studying before going to bed at night.
After reading one unit of the reference book, I immediately depart for the land of dreams, even though I have some regrets.

In my case, I tend to overdo it, so I continued by forcing myself to shut down.

1-3: Repeat

All you have to do is repeat the above two steps until you feel satisfied.
Before you know it, reading reference books will become part of your daily routine, and I think the day will come when you will be able to talk about the contents even without reference books.

For reference, it took me about a month to memorize the contents of the reference book.

Once you feel that you have read all the reference material, you are ready to move on to the next phase.
Even if you move on to the next phase, be sure to continue reading the reference books from Phase 1 at the beginning.

Phase 2: Take a mock exam

Mock exams may sound difficult, but the point is to use Udemy courses to advance your studies.

I took the following course:
[CLF-C02 version] This is all you need! AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Breakthrough Course (includes 300 exam questions)

As many people know, Udemy often has sales.
We recommend purchasing your course on a sale day before proceeding with this phase.
Once you purchase it, you will have no choice but to learn whether you like it or not, and you will be less likely to be lazy.

2-1: Memorize some answers

Again, essentially the same as what we did in Phase 1.

The Udemy course I purchased has a total of six practice questions.
First of all, let me tell you that even if this phase reaches its final stages, you will only have one mock problem per day.

The first thing you need to do is to somehow solve the problem.
Of course, there are many things I don't understand.

It's no wonder you think, "I read so many reference books, but I only got a 30!" or
"I seriously don't understand so much, I feel like I'm going to break down!"

But that's no surprise.
This Udemy course extremely difficult .

Although the price is good (assuming you bought it during a sale), the difficulty level is high.
It's like a Steam sale!

Aside from that, the number of correct answers is not important .
What is important is the answer and explanation after the question.
What you need to do here memorize the ``correct answer .

You can also skim the explanation.
When reading, be sure to read the explanations for the correct answers, not the explanations for the incorrect answers.

You don't need to look at the incorrect answers this time.
...We will focus on the incorrect answers later, so please concentrate on the correct answer patterns this time.

I often say, ``The important part of studying is the process of how you came up with the answer!'', but I am not yet at a sufficient level to step into that area.
There is no such thing as a metal slime in the study, so let's raise the level steadily.
Levels are also required to challenge enemies that cannot be defeated.
First, let's build the basics carefully!

2-1: Serious de study

Once you have memorized the correct answer by going around this course many times, move on to the next step.

In this course on Udemy, if you get a certain score or more, you will be marked as passing.
If you memorize only the correct answers, your score at this point is probably one step short of the passing score, or just barely passing.

The next thing to do is to try the course again, thinking carefully

``This is the answer in this case, but why is this the correct answer?''
Keep this in mind and take your time.

Also, be sure to read the explanations carefully when checking your answers.
This time, let's read not only the correct answers, but also the explanations of the incorrect answers.

Unfortunately, the time has come to say goodbye to the reference books that have become my daily routine.
Allocate all of your time reading reference books to reading explanations on Udemy.
Unlike Chairman Netero, this is not time to pray, but just more time to read the commentary.

Use this method to read the explanations carefully and practice until you see the word "Pass" on the course results page and your score is close to or even 100 points.
Even if you have a bad day academically, it's okay just to the last minute, so keep going until you can get a passing grade.

Once you've reached this point, move on to the next phase.

Phase 3: Take the test

It's finally the last phase!!!
Once you've reached this point, all you have to do is give your best.

3-1: Apply for the exam

In any case, you can't go any further unless you apply for the exam.

Search for “AWS Cloud Practitioner” and apply for the exam.

At this point, you will be presented with two options regarding how to take the exam.

1. test center
2. remote

You may be confused between these two options, but I will tell you my choice for your reference.
I chose to take the test at a "test center".
I was interested in taking the test remotely, but since it takes time to set up the environment, I felt it would be easier to take the test at the test center.

Personally, I find it overwhelmingly easier to take the test at the test center.
Unless you have a strong preference, we recommend that you take the test at a test center.

We also strongly recommend that you take the test at a test center, as it will help you mentally prepare for the next test.
It may not be something to write about in your testimonial, but if things don't go well, you can change your mind on the way home at the test center.

3-2: The final struggle

We recommend that you wait 3 to 7 days from the date of application for the actual test.

If it's too short, you won't be able to make final preparations, and if it's too long, you'll get discouraged.
Choose the right length, neither too long nor too short.

Have you ever seen someone like this in middle school or high school?
"I didn't study at all~"
"I didn't sleep last night."

This qualification requires a test fee, so I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like to pass it on the first try.
During this period of last struggle, you will also do some final cramming, but above all, it is important to keep yourself in good shape.
It's no laughing matter that you didn't do well on the exam because you didn't get enough sleep on the day.

To cram for your studies, we recommend that you read Udemy's explanation page as much as you can memorize it.
Let's literally make a ``last struggle'' by checking whether the knowledge we have gathered so far is correct and correcting and memorizing the parts that are incorrect.

How to maintain your physical condition is left up to individual taste.
In my case, I made sure to get enough sleep a few days before the exam so that I would be alert by the exam time.
I think everyone has their own way of adjusting, but what everyone has in common they want to be able to demonstrate their abilities during exam time .

3-1: On the day of the exam

Let's put everything we have into this day.

You must bring two of the following items with you on the day of the event.

① Group A (Government-issued with photo)

Japanese government-issued driver's license, passport, resident basics with photo, ledger card, residence card, special permanent resident certificate, various notebooks for persons with disabilities, my number card

② Group B (employee ID card, student ID card that meets the requirements)

1. A face photo is attached
2. a. It is printed on a plastic card, b. It is laminated, or c. It has a number stamp or embossed face photo (paper can be used).
3. Both first and last name are listed
4. Company/organization/educational institution name, logo, or school emblem is listed

③ C group

Pension book, health insurance card, credit card, various public facility user cards (with signature)

We recommend that you organize these items so that they are easy to present on the day of the event, and store them so that they can be easily retrieved.

A photo will be taken when you submit your identity verification documents.
So, if you want to look cool, I think it's a good idea to trim your hair by cutting it.

Basically, all your belongings will be put away in lockers.
At that time, you will be instructed to empty your pockets and to remove your wristwatch.

The staff will wait for you to clean up. However, considering that it is the day of the exam, you may feel rushed.
For those who find it troublesome to deal with various matters, I think it is better to minimize the amount of luggage you bring when taking the exam.

After completing the test, whether I passed or failed was displayed on my PC screen after the test.
No matter the result, there will be other candidates in the exam room.
If you do not pass the test, please refrain from feeling like you are about to give up and leave the test immediately. It's not good to get hit by something, but if you want to vent your regrets, please do it at home.
If you pass, resist the urge to scream with joy and leave. I can't help but smile with joy. When I passed the exam, I was so happy that I almost skipped the journey home from the exam center.

summary

How was it?

This time, I created a blog titled ``My experience of passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam''.

Thank you for reading to the end.