AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam Prep (SAA-C03)

By the end

What you'll build

• Decode any SAA-C03 scenario by finding its qualifier and eliminating options on hard constraints.
• Design secure architectures: least-privilege IAM, roles over keys, private networks, and encryption.
• Write and debug real IAM policy JSON and predict its allow/deny outcome (explicit deny wins, default deny).
• Design resilient architectures across multiple AZs with decoupling, Auto Scaling, and Multi-AZ data tiers.
• Match RTO/RPO targets to the right disaster-recovery strategy at appropriate cost.
• Design high-performing architectures: right compute/storage/database for the access pattern, caching, and CDNs.
• Design cost-optimized architectures: right pricing model, storage tiers, right-sizing, and data-transfer awareness.
• Evaluate a given architecture against the Well-Architected pillars and identify the highest-severity risk.
• Analyse a broken design or post-mortem, find the root cause, and re-architect to eliminate the fault.
• Reproduce key labs on real free infrastructure (AWS Free plan / Educate / Killercoda) and sit two timed mock exams.

Curriculum

What's inside

7 modules · 42 lessons

1. 01

   Module 1 - Orientation & the SAA-C03 Blueprint

   5 lessons
   • Welcome to SAA-C03 prep (start here)
   • The SAA-C03 blueprint: four domains, one question style
   • How to read a scenario question (the qualifier method)
   • Service-selection matrix I - compute, storage, database, networkflashcard sr
   • Diagnostic: where are you? (scenario mini-quiz)quiz
2. 02

   Module 2 - Domain 1: Design Secure Architectures (30%)

   7 lessons
   • Domain 1 overview: the security surface SAA tests
   • IAM decision reflex: users vs roles vs resource policies
   • Policy Lab: least privilege & explicit denypolicy lab
   • Policy Lab: condition keys (IP & secure transport)policy lab
   • Data protection & detective controls matrixflashcard sr
   • + 2 more lessons
3. 03

   Module 3 - Domain 2: Design Resilient Architectures (26%)

   7 lessons
   • Domain 2 overview: availability, decoupling, disaster recovery
   • DR strategies and the RTO/RPO dials
   • Design kata: make a single-AZ app highly availablearch builder
   • Design kata: decouple bursty traffic with SQS and workersarch builder
   • Availability math: what redundancy actually buyspython lab
   • + 2 more lessons
4. 04

   Module 4 - Domain 3: Design High-Performing Architectures (24%)

   7 lessons
   • Domain 3 overview: match the service to the access pattern
   • Storage & data performance matrixflashcard sr
   • Caching, content delivery, and acceleration
   • Design kata: scale reads with caching, replicas, and a CDNarch builder
   • Capacity math: DynamoDB RCU/WCU and AZ-resilient fleet sizingpython lab
   • + 2 more lessons
5. 05

   Module 5 - Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%)

   5 lessons
   • Domain 4 overview: cost as a design pillar
   • Pricing models & cost levers (illustrative snapshot 2026-07)flashcard sr
   • Cost model: On-Demand vs Savings Plan vs Spotpython lab
   • Cost model: right-size a three-tier monthly billspreadsheet lab
   • Domain 4 scenario quiz: Cost-optimized architecturesquiz
6. 06

   Module 6 - Well-Architected Reviews, Mixed Design & Error Analysis

   6 lessons
   • The Well-Architected Framework as an exam lens
   • Well-Architected review: score a given architecturequiz
   • Capstone kata: a secure, resilient, decoupled, cost-aware designarch builder
   • Error analysis: read the post-mortem, find the root causequiz
   • Policy Lab: security review - fix an over-permissive policypolicy lab
   • + 1 more lesson
7. 07

   Module 7 - Full Timed Mocks & Real-Infrastructure Graduation

   5 lessons
   • Timed Mock Exam A (set a 30-minute timer)quiz
   • Tier-2: guided REAL practice on free infrastructure (link-outs)
   • Evidence quiz: prove you did the Tier-2 tasksquiz
   • Timed Mock Exam B (set a 30-minute timer)quiz
   • Exam-day plan, booking, and an honest close

The shape of it

How this course works