Antoine Boucher

A Journey to AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

I passed the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) after about two weeks (~60 hours) of focused study — not because the exam is trivial, but because mixing video, labs, and silly gamified prep kept me moving. This post is the resource stack that worked for me (Udemy, Skill Builder, Cloud Quest, Escape Room) plus Pearson VUE practicalities: extra time if English is not your first language, online proctoring, Credly badge. Version française.

My Study Guide: A Two-Week Sprint to Certification

Time Commitment: Approximately 60 hours over two weeks

Here’s a breakdown of the resources I used:

  1. Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 (Udemy — Paid)

  1. AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner (AWS Skill Builder —Free)

3. AWS Escape Room: Exam Prep for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) (AWS Skill Builder — Paid Free Trial)

4. Free Practice Exam (https://www.w3schools.com/aws/aws_cloudessentials_awscert.php)

5. Exam Prep Enhanced Course: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02 — English) (AWS Skill Builder — Paid Free Trial)

AWS Skill Builder

AWS Skill Builder is an online learning center designed to help users of all skill levels deepen their understanding of AWS services. It offers a wide range of courses, from beginner to advanced levels, covering various aspects of cloud computing.

Features:

- Structured Learning Paths: AWS Skill Builder provides well-organized learning paths, making it easy to follow a structured approach to learning. For the Cloud Practitioner certification, the platform offers a dedicated path that covers all the exam objectives.
- Hands-On Labs: Practical experience is crucial, and Skill Builder includes hands-on labs that allow you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
- Variety of Content: The platform offers video tutorials, quizzes, and reading materials, catering to different learning styles.

AWS Cloud Quest: Gamifying Cloud Learning

AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner is a unique, gamified learning experience. It turns cloud learning into an adventure where users complete quests and solve puzzles to learn about AWS services.

- Interactive Learning
- Real-World Scenarios
- Engagement

AWS Escape Room: A Fun and Challenging Prep Tool

The AWS Escape Room is an innovative and engaging way to prepare for the certification exam. It simulates real-life scenarios where you need to solve challenges to “escape” from virtual rooms.

- Exam Simulation: It provides a realistic exam experience, helping you get used to the format and time constraints.
- Critical Thinking: The escape room challenges require critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential for the exam and real-world applications.
- Interactive: It’s a fun way to test your knowledge and keep yourself engaged during the preparation process.

Putting It All Together: My Certification Journey

Combining these resources, I followed a structured study plan:

  • Week 1: Focused on the Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner course on Udemy, completing video lectures and hands-on labs.
  • Week 2: Utilized AWS Cloud Quest for interactive learning and engaged with the AWS Escape Room for exam simulation. Also, supplemented with practice exams and the Exam Prep Enhanced Course on AWS Skill Builder.

My Experience with Person Vue and Getting Extra Exam Time

During my certification process, I took my exam through Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE provides a flexible and convenient way to take certification exams, offering both in-person and online proctoring options. My experience with Pearson VUE was seamless, from scheduling the exam to taking it on the day.

One tip I found incredibly helpful was the option to apply for additional exam time. If English is not your primary language, AWS allows you to request a 50% extension for your exam duration. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. AWS Certification: Before scheduling your exam, go to exam accommodations

2. ID Verification: Ensure you have a valid ID for verification purposes. This is a crucial step for both in-person and online exams.

3. Schedule Your Exam with the Extension: Once approved, you can schedule your exam with the additional time included. This extension can make a significant difference, allowing you more time to carefully consider each question and reduce exam stress.

Preparing for the Online Proctored Exam

If you choose to take your exam online, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind:

  1. Long Wait Times: Be prepared for potentially long wait times before your exam begins. It’s advisable to log in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time to complete the necessary check-in procedures.
  2. Room Setup: Ensure your room is clean, free of any food, and without a second monitor. The proctor will ask you to show a 360-degree view of your room using your webcam to ensure there are no unauthorized materials.
  3. Proctoring Software: Pearson VUE uses specific software to administer online exams. Make sure you have this software installed and tested on your computer before the exam day to avoid any technical issues.
  4. Quiet Environment: Choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed during the exam. Inform family members or roommates about your exam schedule to minimize interruptions.

Getting Your Digital Badge

Once you’ve passed your exam, you can proudly share your achievement by obtaining a digital badge. AWS uses Credly to issue digital badges. Here’s how you can get yours:

  1. Wait for Notification: After passing the exam, wait for 2–3 days to receive an email notification from Credly that your badge is ready.
  2. Create a Credly Account: If you don’t have one already, create a Credly account using the same email address you used for your AWS Certification.
  3. Accept Your Badge: Follow the instructions in the email to accept your badge and add it to your Credly account.
  4. Share Your Badge: You can now share your digital badge on LinkedIn, your resume, or any other platform to showcase your certification.

When to use this sprint plan

You are…This two-week path fits?
New to cloud vocabularyYes
Already running prod on AWS dailySkip CLF — go role-specific
Need hands-on K8s depthPartial — add labs beyond CLF
Non-native English test takerYes — request extra time early

Pitfalls

  • Cramming without labs — Cloud Quest carries retention; video alone fades.
  • Skipping practice exams — format surprises hurt more than content gaps.
  • Booking mainnet experiments — stay on free tier / Sepolia for learning bills.

Takeaway

The certification is a vocabulary checkpoint more than a deep architect exam — but Cloud Quest and Escape Room made that vocabulary stick better than lectures alone. If you are on a similar sprint, stack one paid course with Skill Builder trials and book the exam while the context is fresh.

Questions about the two-week plan or Pearson accommodations are welcome on LinkedIn or GitHub issues on this site.

References

Originally published on Medium.