AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Professional
SAP-C02
A comprehensive resource guide for the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | SAP-C02 |
| Duration | 180 minutes |
| Cost | $300 USD |
| Passing Score | 750 / 1000 |
| Questions | 75 (scored) |
| Recommended Experience | 2+ years hands-on AWS architecture |
| Official Page | AWS Solutions Architect Professional |
Last Updated
This guide was last updated on 18 April 2026.
tl;dr
- Get Associate-level knowledge first — see the Solutions Architect Associate guide
- Get one video course:
- Exam-focused: Stephane Maarek / Neil Davis on Udemy
- Read whitepapers (especially WAF), review re:Invent announcements
- Do one set of quality practice exams — TutorialsDojo or Stephane Maarek
- Consider exam center vs home, and ESL+30 min extension
- Take and pass the exam!
Exam Details
- Exam code: SAP-C02
- Official page: AWS Solutions Architect Professional
- Exam guide: SAP-C02 Exam Guide (PDF)
Subreddit
Search past discussions: r/AWSCertifications SAP-C02
Video Courses
Free
AWS Skill Builder — Free Exam Prep
Covers high-level domains but is not a comprehensive deep dive.
Note
Skill Builder courses alone are not enough to pass.
Andrew Brown / FreeCodeCamp (YouTube)
Approximately 70 hours of free content.
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 | Digital Cloud on Udemy | Udemy Course |
| QA Learning | Enterprise training; includes a learning plan and practice exam | QA SAP Course |
| AWS SkillBuilder Enhanced | Subscription with labs and official practice exam | Skill Builder |
Udemy Pricing
Never pay more than USD 20 for any Udemy course. Prices fluctuate daily. Use the author's coupon site, open in incognito, or create a new account for the best price.
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 Some AWS certification courses are becoming outdated compared to more actively maintained providers.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 Material
WAF — Well-Architected Framework
- AWS WAF Overview
- Deep-dive into each WAF pillar — SkillBuilder course and official docs
- Read the Reliability, Cost Optimization, and Security whitepapers from AWS Whitepapers
Migration & Modernization
- AWS Migration Hub — review migration approaches and strategies
Advanced Networking (not essential but useful)
- Review advanced networking concepts from the AWS Networking & Content Delivery blog
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
Free
- None worth it at this level.
Paid
| Provider | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Official Practice Exam | Skill Builder | Subscription required |
| TutorialsDojo | tutorialsdojo.com | Highly recommended. Use the review mode on their site |
| Stephane Maarek (Udemy) | courses.datacumulus.com | |
| Neil Davis (Udemy) | Udemy Course | |
| QA Learning | QA Platform | Includes learning plan + practice exam |
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.
Hands-on Practice
AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier covers services relevant to SAP scenarios: EC2 (750 hours/month), S3 (5 GB), Lambda (1 million requests), and CloudFormation. Build multi-account architectures, hybrid networking, and migration scenarios. 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.
Advanced Architecture Labs
At the Professional level, focus on production-style projects that demonstrate enterprise-scale design patterns:
- Multi-account strategies — Practice with AWS Organizations, SCPs, and delegated administration using a sandbox account.
- Hybrid networking — Configure VPN connections, Direct Connect gateways, and Transit Gateway with route tables.
- Migration scenarios — Use AWS Migration Hub, DMS, and MGN to simulate large-scale migrations.
- Disaster recovery — Implement cross-region replication, Route 53 failover, and Aurora Global Database.
AWS Skill Builder Labs
Skill Builder offers advanced labs covering Organizations, Control Tower, migration, and hybrid architectures.
Third-Party Platforms
- KodeKloud — Advanced AWS architecture scenarios covering multi-region deployments and hybrid cloud.
- Cloud Academy — Enterprise-focused AWS architecture labs for Professional-level scenarios.
Projects & Hands-on — more practice resources and comparison of platforms.
Community Advice
- Hands-on practice matters. Cross-account and organization patterns are difficult to practice in sandboxes.
- 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.
- Consider exam center over home — you can move around during the 3-hour exam.
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 strongly recommended at the Professional level. Cross-account and organization patterns are difficult to practice in sandboxes.
Where can I find vouchers? See Vouchers & Discounts.
Home vs exam center? Exam center is recommended — you can move around during the 3-hour exam.
Can I get ESL accommodation? ESL+30 minutes is available via the Certmetrics portal before booking.
I skipped SA Associate — is that okay? You must learn the curriculum — courses at this level assume Associate-level knowledge.
Can someone new to IT take this? No. Professional level requires IT/AWS background.
Is it worth it? SA Pro is the gold standard but does not guarantee a job.
Is coding required? Basic CLI/scripting is very helpful. Use AI tools like CoPilot.
Can I use ChatGPT / Amazon Q to learn? Use them cautiously — they can give incorrect answers. Always double-check against official docs.
Are there books for this exam? Books go out of date too quickly. Video courses are recommended instead.
Should I buy TutorialsDojo via Udemy or direct? Buy direct from their site — the review mode lets you go question-by-question rather than taking full exams.
Why are practice exams harder than the video course? That's normal — work through incorrect answers and learn from them.
What score should I get on practice exams? There is no magic number. High 80s is good, but the learning from reviewing incorrect answers matters more than the score.
Can I skip a topic if someone said it wasn't on their exam? No. Everyone gets a different exam from a large question pool. Study everything in the exam guide.
How does renewal work? Passing SA Pro renews an active SA Associate and Cloud Practitioner certification.