AWS Certified Developer Associate
AWS Certified Developer Associate Associate
DVA-C02
A comprehensive resource guide for the AWS Developer Associate exam.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | DVA-C02 |
| Duration | 130 minutes |
| Cost | $150 USD |
| Passing Score | 720 / 1000 |
| Questions | 65 (50 scored + 15 unscored) |
| Recommended Experience | 1 year of AWS application development |
| Official Page | AWS Developer Associate |
Last Updated
This guide was last updated on 24 July 2025.
tl;dr
- Get one video course:
- Exam-focused: Stephane Maarek on Udemy
- Read whitepapers and review re:Invent announcements
- Do one set of quality practice exams — TutorialsDojo or Stephane Maarek
- Take and pass the exam!
Exam Details
- Exam code: DVA-C02
- Official page: AWS Developer Associate
- Exam guide: DVA-C02 Exam Guide (PDF)
Video Courses
Free
AWS Skill Builder — Developer Learning Plan
Not exam-oriented but helpful for learning the basics. Includes both free and subscription items.
Note
Skill Builder courses alone are not enough to pass.
Andrew Brown / FreeCodeCamp (YouTube)
Paid
| Instructor | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Stephane Maarek | Frequently updated, exam-focused, recommended for most certification candidates. Best suited for preparing for the latest AWS certification exams. | courses.datacumulus.com |
| Neil Davis | Solid hands-on course | Udemy Course |
| QA Learning | Enterprise training; includes learning plan and practice exam | QA DVA Course |
Udemy Pricing
Never pay more than USD 20. Prices fluctuate daily — use the author's coupon site or open in incognito.
Deep Learning Resources
| Instructor | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Cantrill | Excellent for learning AWS architecture and AWS fundamentals. Exceptional hands-on explanations and deep technical content. Some AWS certification courses are becoming outdated compared to more actively maintained providers. Course updates generally lag behind the latest AWS certification blueprints. Better suited for building long-term AWS knowledge than for preparing for the latest certification exams. | learn.cantrill.io |
Additional Resources
AWS Skill Builder Microcredentials
Official AWS Skill Builder learning paths that include focused training, knowledge assessments, and digital badges. Useful for strengthening knowledge in specific AWS domains before or after certification preparation.
AWS Customer Learning Programs
Official AWS service-specific learning programs that award Credly digital badges. These programs help learners deepen knowledge of individual AWS services, products, and solution areas beyond the certification blueprint.
AWS SimuLearn Learning Plan Badges
Official AWS interactive learning plans that validate practical cloud skills using simulated hands-on scenarios. Recommended for learners who want hands-on validation alongside certification preparation.
AWS Builder Center Sandbox
Official free temporary AWS environment for hands-on learning and certification practice.
https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2026/07/aws-builder-center-sandbox/
Practice Exams
Avoid Dumps
If someone offers the exact list of AWS questions or guarantees the question bank matches the exam — that is a dump. Using dumps risks a ban. Stick to legitimate sources.
Free
Paid
| Provider | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TutorialsDojo | tutorialsdojo.com | Highly recommended. AWS Authorized Training Partner |
| Stephane Maarek (Udemy) | courses.datacumulus.com | |
| Neil Davis (Udemy) | Practice Exams Course | |
| ExamPro | exampro.co | 3 exams (1 free, 2 paid) |
| Whizlabs | whizlabs.com | |
| QA Learn | QA Platform | Learning plan + practice exam |
Not Recommended
A Cloud Guru / Pluralsight — their courses have fallen behind. Use their sandbox if you have free access but do not rely on their courses.
Books
Books go out of date quickly. Video courses are recommended instead. Sybex, TutorialsDojo, and Neil Davis offer ebooks if you prefer reading.
Hands-on Practice
AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier covers core DVA services: Lambda (1 million requests/month), API Gateway (1 million API calls), DynamoDB (25 GB), and S3 (5 GB). Build serverless APIs, event-driven architectures, and CI/CD pipelines without incurring costs. Set up billing alerts and monitor usage to avoid unexpected charges.
AWS Builder Center Sandbox (Official)
- Official free AWS sandbox environment
- No AWS account billing or credit card required
- Temporary AWS environment for learning and experimentation
- No risk of accidental AWS charges
- Ideal for certification practice, workshops, and learning new AWS services
- Sessions currently last up to 8 hours
- Availability depends on supported Builder Center workshops
Official announcement: https://aws.amazon.com/about-aws/whats-new/2026/07/aws-builder-center-sandbox/
AWS Builder Center Sandbox — more details about the Builder Center Sandbox program.
AWS Builder Labs
Builder Labs provide guided environments for developer-focused services including Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, and CodePipeline. Labs use temporary AWS accounts so you can practice without risk.
AWS Skill Builder Labs
Skill Builder offers additional labs covering CI/CD pipelines, serverless application development, and the AWS CDK.
Developer Services to Practice
- AWS Lambda — Write and deploy functions, configure triggers from S3, DynamoDB Streams, and API Gateway.
- Amazon API Gateway — Build REST and HTTP APIs with authentication, throttling, and caching.
- Amazon DynamoDB — Design tables, use secondary indexes, implement DynamoDB Streams with Lambda.
- AWS CodePipeline / CodeBuild / CodeDeploy — Build end-to-end CI/CD pipelines for serverless and container applications.
- Amazon S3 — Configure event notifications, static website hosting, and versioning.
Third-Party Platforms
- KodeKloud — Developer-oriented AWS labs covering Lambda, CI/CD, and containerization.
- Whizlabs — Sandbox environment for practicing AWS developer services.
- A Cloud Guru / Pluralsight — Includes sandboxes for lab exercises. Best if you have free access through work.
Projects & Hands-on — more practice resources and comparison of platforms.
Community Advice
- Hands-on practice matters. Build serverless apps to reinforce DVA topics.
- Don't memorize dumps.
- Practice exams identify weak areas; review every wrong answer.
- Read AWS documentation for unfamiliar services.
Exam Tips
- Sleep well before the exam.
- Read every question carefully.
- Eliminate wrong answers first.
- Flag difficult questions and come back to them.
FAQ
Do I need all this material? No. One from each category is enough. Example: Stephane Maarek's course + TutorialsDojo.
Do I need hands-on work? Yes — hands-on experience is recommended at the Associate level. Secure your account and set billing alarms.
Where can I find vouchers? See Vouchers & Discounts.
Can I cheat using dumps? You risk a ban. Not worth it.
Can I pass with only free resources? Possible, but spending on quality practice exams is strongly recommended.
I skipped CCP — is that okay? Yes. Almost all DVA courses teach from scratch.
Can someone new to IT take this? Yes, but invest sufficient time.
Do I need to know how to code? The exam won't ask you to write code in Java/Python. It focuses on AWS developer tools: CloudFormation, CLI, CDK, and related services. You need to know service capabilities and parameters more than actual coding.
Can I use ChatGPT / Amazon Q to learn? Use them cautiously — they can give incorrect answers. Always double-check against official docs.
Should I buy TutorialsDojo via Udemy or direct? Buy direct from their site for the review mode that lets you go question-by-question.
Which should I do first — SAA or DVA? SAA first is recommended — it builds a broader foundation.