STUDY SCHEDULE
To prepare effectively for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C03) exam, a well-
structured study schedule is essential. Here’s a comprehensive 8-week study plan, including recommended
materials and resources:
Week 1-2: Introduction and AWS Core Services
Topics:
Introduction to AWS
IAM (Identity and Access Management)
EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
S3 (Simple Storage Service)
Resources:
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate 2023 (SOA-C03) Exam Guide: Review the official exam
guide to understand the exam domains.
AWS Training and Certification: Use AWS's free training resources like "AWS Cloud Practitioner
Essentials" for foundational knowledge.
AWS Documentation: Read IAM, EC2, and S3 sections.
A Cloud Guru or Linux Academy: Enroll in the SysOps Administrator course.
Activities:
Watch introductory videos on AWS services.
Set up and configure IAM users and policies.
Launch and manage EC2 instances.
Create and manage S3 buckets and objects.
Week 3-4: Networking and Monitoring
Topics:
VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
CloudWatch
CloudTrail
Route 53
Resources:
AWS Whitepapers: Read the "Overview of Amazon Web Services" and "Architecting for the Cloud: AWS
Best Practices."
AWS Documentation: Study VPC, Cloud Watch, CloudTrail, and Route 53 sections.
Practice Exams: Use free resources like Tutorials Dojo and Exam Topics for practice questions.
Activities:
Create VPCs with subnets, route tables, and gateways.
Set up monitoring with Cloud Watch.
Review logs with Cloud Trail.
Configure DNS settings with Route 53.
Week 5-6: Data Management and Security
Topics:
RDS (Relational Database Service)
DynamoDB
Encryption and KMS (Key Management Service)
AWS Organizations and Billing
Resources:
AWS Documentation: Read the RDS, DynamoDB, and KMS sections.
AWS Security Best Practices: Review AWS's security best practices whitepaper.
AWS Training and Certification: Use "Security Engineering on AWS" for security topics.
Activities:
Launch and manage RDS instances.
Explore DynamoDB features and use cases.
Implement encryption with KMS.
Set up billing alerts and manage AWS Organizations.
Week 7: Automation and Deployment
Topics:
Cloud Formation
Elastic Beanstalk
AWS Systems Manager
Resources:
AWS Documentation: Study the CloudFormation, Elastic Beanstalk, and Systems Manager sections.
Hands-On Labs: Use platforms like Qwiklabs or Cloud Academy for practical experience.
Activities:
Write and deploy CloudFormation templates.
Deploy applications with Elastic Beanstalk.
Use AWS Systems Manager for automation tasks.
Week 8: Review and Practice Exams
Topics:
Review all topics
Practice exams
Identify and fill knowledge gaps
Resources:
Practice Exams: Use paid resources like Whizlabs, Udemy, or official AWS practice exams.
AWS Exam Readiness: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate: Attend the webinar if
available.
Activities:
Take full-length practice exams under timed conditions.
Review incorrect answers and understand the reasoning behind correct answers.
Focus on weak areas identified during practice exams.
Additional Tips:
Join Online Communities: Participate in forums like Reddit’s r/AWSCertifications and AWS-related
LinkedIn groups for tips and support.
AWS Free Tier: Utilize AWS's Free Tier to practice hands-on labs without incurring significant costs.
Consistent Study Routine: Dedicate at least 1-2 hours daily to studying, increasing the time closer to the
exam date.
Hands-On Practice: Spend significant time on practical labs and exercises, as hands-on experience is
crucial for the SysOps Administrator role.
By following this schedule and utilizing the recommended materials, you’ll be well-prepared for the SOA-C03
exam.
VIDEO RESOURCES:
Online Course Platforms
1. A Cloud Guru
Course: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate
Content: Comprehensive video lessons covering all exam topics, hands-on labs, and practice
exams.
Link: A Cloud Guru
2. Udemy
Course: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate 2023 (SOA-C03)
Instructor: Stephane Maarek, Neal Davis, or other reputable AWS trainers.
Content: In-depth video lectures, practical exercises, quizzes, and practice exams.
Link: Udemy
3. LinkedIn Learning
Course: Learning AWS SysOps
Instructor: Joseph Holbrook
Content: Focused video tutorials on key concepts, with emphasis on real-world applications.
Link: LinkedIn Learning
Free Video Resources
1. AWS Training and Certification YouTube Channel
Playlist: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
Content: Free videos covering various AWS services and exam preparation tips.
Link: AWS Training and Certification YouTube
2. freeCodeCamp
Video: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate 2023 (SOA-C03) Full Course
Content: A comprehensive, free full-length course covering all relevant topics.
Link: freeCodeCamp (YouTube)
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate Exam Preparation
Channel: Andrew Brown (ExamPro)
Content: Detailed tutorials and exam-specific guidance.
Link: ExamPro (YouTube)
Specialized Training
1. Pluralsight
Course: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C03)
Content: Detailed courses with practical labs and assessments.
Link: Pluralsight
2. Cloud Academy
Course: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Certification Preparation
Content: Interactive video lessons, hands-on labs, and quizzes.
Link: Cloud Academy
Supplementary Video Resources
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Twitch
Show: AWS Power Hour: SysOps
Content: Live sessions and recordings focusing on SysOps topics.
Link: AWS Twitch
2. Tech With Lucy
Video Series: AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate – Study Sessions
Content: Step-by-step tutorials and study sessions.
Link: Tech With Lucy YouTube
Study Schedule Integration
Incorporate these video resources into your study schedule as follows:
Weeks 1-2: Focus on introductory courses from A Cloud Guru or Udemy to build a strong foundation.
Weeks 3-4: Use freeCodeCamp or LinkedIn Learning for in-depth tutorials on networking and
monitoring.
Weeks 5-6: Leverage AWS Training and Certification YouTube for security and data management topics.
Week 7: Utilize Plural sight or Cloud Academy for automation and deployment training.
Week 8: Watch exam-specific prep videos from ExamPro and AWS Power Hour on Twitch for final
review and tips.