[2024 Graduates] New Graduate's Experience of Passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam [Shikoku Office]

Introduction

Hi!
I'm Okarin from the Systems Solutions Department, Shikoku Office, and I graduated in 2024.

certification, which was the first qualification I obtained after joining Beyond Inc.
the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF'll be talking about

This articlethe CLF describes how I studied to pass

This articlehave ample timeandcan study consistently every daywill be helpful for those who
When I started studying for this certification, I had absolutely no knowledge of AWS.
Therefore, I think this information will also be useful for non-engineers who find a similar study method suitable for them.

Beyond Co., Ltd.'s blogCLF also has past articles about
If you find the study methods on this blog difficult, please check out the blog linked below.

A PR recruiter's experience passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam

[Study Method Revealed] I've only been working in PR for three months, but I tried to get certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner

myprevious article, this one is a bit more serious!
If you're interested, please check it out!

[2024 Graduates] [Shikoku Office] We tried office relocation work [Miyoshi City, Tokushima Prefecture]

Phase 1: Reference books

To prepare for the certification exam, I started by reading a textbook.
The textbook I used was "AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Textbook, Revised 3rd Edition."

This textbook is designed for the "CLF-C02" exam, which began in 2023, and features extremely thorough explanations.
I read this book at the following pace:

1.  the bookonce, roughlyRead
2. each unitcarefullyRead
3. Repeat the above steps

1-1:roughlyRead the book through once,

For the first step, "roughly reading through the book once," it's fine to just skim the content. We
don't expect you to read every single word and understand everything.
What we want is the feeling that "I have finished reading this book."

If I try to read a book from cover to cover all at once, I get tired and give up.
However, once I've seen all the pages, I can get a sense of how many pages are left in the book.

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

As I've said many times, you don't need to memorize everything here.
Of course, it's okay if you don't understand the meaning. It's fine if
you've only vaguely heard the terms before.

Let's continue to lower the hurdles to studying

each unitcarefullyRead

Now, what should you do next after you've finished reading this book?

The next step is the old-fashioned method of "memorizing the contents of the page."

This textbook is divided into units.
When I was studying, I aimed to read one unit per day.
Just one unit a day is enough.
Each unit in the textbook doesn't have that many pages.

Having studied for various qualifications, the hardest part has been consistency.
For example, don't you sometimes think, "I couldn't do it yesterday, so I'll do yesterday's work today," or "I have time today, so I'll do more"?

In my case, with that kind of thinking, there were many times when I forced myself to study too hard and ended up spinning my wheels

What I want to say here, and I know I'm being repetitive, is to set a low bar for studying.
Of course, there will be times when you're not satisfied with just one unit.
There will be times when you want to do another unit. I won't stop you from doing that.

However, this is only possible if you have read the reference book over and over again and are able to memorize the contents

Pushing yourself too hard from the start will only have negative consequences later on.
So, focus on studying just one unit thoroughly, and then spend the rest of your time on your hobbies or getting some sleep.

Come to think of it, I haven't explained what time of day I study.
I think everyone has different free time.
I used to study before going to bed at night.
After finishing a unit in my textbook, I would reluctantly head off to dreamland.

In my case, I tend to push myself too hard, so I continued by forcing myself to shut down

1-3: Repeat

All that's left is to repeat the two steps above until you're satisfied.
Eventually, reading the textbook will become a daily routine, and the day will come when you can talk about its contents without needing the textbook.

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

Once you feel you've finished reading the textbook, it's a sign that you're ready to move on to the next phase.
Even when you move on to the next phase, make sure to continue reading the textbook from Phase 1 at the beginning.

Phase 2: Take the mock exam

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

The course I took was:
[CLF-C02 Edition] This is all you need! AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Preparation Course (Includes 300 practice exam questions)

Many people are probably familiar with Udemy, but they frequently have sales.
I recommend purchasing a course during a sale before moving on to this phase. Once
you've bought it, you'll be forced to study whether you like it or not, and you'll be less likely to procrastinate.

2-1: Memorize the answer roughly

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

The Udemy course I purchased includes a total of six practice questions.
Let me tell you upfront that even when you reach the final stage of this phase, you will only complete one practice question per day.

The first thing you should do is try to solve the problems somewhat.
Naturally, you'll probably find that there are more things you don't understand
"I read all those textbooks, but I only got 30 points!"
or "I seriously don't understand so much, I'm about to give up!"
than things you do understand. It's understandable to think,

But that's understandable.
This Udemy courseextremely difficultis

The price is a bargain (if you buy it on sale), but the difficulty is high.
It's just like a Steam sale!

Putting that aside,the number of correct answers isn't important.
What's important are the answers and explanations that follow the questions.
What you should do herememorize the "correct answers.

You can just skim the explanations.
If you do read them, please 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'll focus on the incorrect answers later, so for now, please concentrate on the correct patterns.

It's often said that "the important thing in studying is the process of how you arrived at the answer!", but you're not yet at that level to step into that realm. There are
no Metal Slimes in studying, so let's steadily raise our level.
You need a level to challenge enemies you can't defeat yet.
First, let's build a solid foundation!

2-1: Study seriously

Once you have completed this course several times and memorized the correct answers, you can move on to the next step

In this Udemy course, you will be marked as passed once you achieve a certain score.
Your score at this point, having only memorized the correct answers, is likely just short of the passing mark, or perhaps barely passing.

The next thing you should docarefully considerand try the course again.

"This is the answer in this case, but why is this the correct answer?"
Please proceed slowly with this mindset in mind.

Also, when checking your answers, please read the explanations carefully.
This time, let's read the explanations for both the correct and incorrect answers.

Unfortunately, the time has come to say goodbye to the textbooks that have become a daily routine.
Please dedicate all the time you would have spent reading textbooks to reading Udemy tutorials.
Unlike Chairman Netero, this isn't time for prayer; it simply means you'll have more time to read tutorials.

Using this method, carefully read the explanations, and continue practicing until you see the word "Pass" on the course results page and your score is close to or even reaches 100 points.
Even on days when you're not feeling well academically, it's okay if you just barely pass, so keep practicing until you can consistently achieve a passing score.

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

Phase 3: Take the exam

We've finally reached the last phase!!! Now
that we've come this far, all that's left is to give it your all.

3-1: Apply for the exam

Anyway, you can't go any further unless you apply for the exam

Search for "AWS Cloud Practitioner" and sign up for the exam

You will now be presented with two options for how to take the exam

1. Testing Center
2. Remote

You might be struggling to decide between these two options, so for reference, let me share my choice.
I chose to take the exam at a "test center." I
was also tempted by the remote exam, but since it requires time for setting up the environment, I found the test center option easier.

Personally, I find taking the exam at a test center overwhelmingly easier.
Unless you have a strong preference otherwise, I recommend taking the exam at a test center.

Furthermore, I highly recommend taking the exam at a test center because it makes it easier to mentally prepare for the next exam.
While this might not be something to write about in a success story, if you don't do well, taking the exam at a test center allows you to mentally reset on the way home.

3-2: Last Struggle

We recommend that you wait 3 to 7 days between the date of application and the actual exam

If it's too short, you won't be able to do the final preparations, and if it's too long, you'll lose focus.
Choose a length that's just right—not too long, not too short.

You've probably seen people like this in middle school or high school, right?
"I didn't study at all."
"I didn't even sleep last night."

Since this qualification requires an exam fee, I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to pass on the first try.
During this final period I've set aside, I'll be cramming, but above all, it's important to take care of my health. It
would be no laughing matter if I failed the exam on the day due to lack of sleep or something similar.

For cramming, I recommend reading the Udemy tutorial pages so many times that you practically memorize them.
Check if the knowledge you've acquired so far is correct, correct any mistakes, and memorize them—this is literally your "last desperate effort."

I leave the method of preparing your physical condition to individual preference.
In my case, I made sure to get plenty of sleep for several days beforehand so that my mind would be sharp during the exam.
I think everyone has their own way of preparing, but what is common to everyone is "being able to perform at your best during the exam."

3-1: On the day of the exam

Let's bring everything we've got up to now to this day

You will need to bring two of the following items with you on the day:

① Group A (Government-issued photo)

Japanese government-issued driver's license, passport, basic resident card with photo, register card, residence card, special permanent resident certificate, various disability certificates, My Number card

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

1. A photograph of the face is attached
2. a. It is printed on a plastic card, b. It is laminated, or c. It has a stamp or embossed photo (paper is acceptable)
3. Both first and last name are listed
4. The name, logo, or school emblem of a company, organization, or educational institution is included

③ Group C

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

We recommend that you keep these documents together so that they are easy to present on the day and store them in a place where they can be easily accessed

Your photo will be taken when you submit your identification documents.
So, if you want to look your best, it might be a good idea to get a haircut or something to get your hair styled beforehand.

Generally, you put your belongings in a locker.
You'll be instructed to empty your pockets and remove any watches or other accessories.

The staff will wait for you to pack up. However, considering it's the day of the exam, you might feel rushed.
If you want to avoid the hassle of dealing with all the arrangements, it's best to bring as little luggage as possible to the exam.

After finishing the exam, whether I passed or failed was displayed on the computer screen after the test ended.
Whatever the result, there are other test-takers in the examination room.
If you fail, please restrain yourself from slamming your fist on the table and leave promptly. It's not good to take your frustration out on objects, but if you want to vent your feelings, please do so at home.
If you pass, please restrain yourself from shouting with joy and leave immediately. It's understandable to smile when you're happy. When I passed, I was so happy that I was practically skipping all the way home from the examination center.

summary

How was it?

This time, I created a blog titled ``My Experience Passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam.''

Thank you for reading to the end