AWS Certified Developer - Associate
Follow a topic roadmap built from the published exam blueprint, with lessons, practice exercises and practice exams.
The AWS Certified Developer - Associate validation demonstrates your technical proficiency in developing, testing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications on AWS.
What you'll learn
Every objective AWS Developer Associate publishes, and what it asks you to be able to do. The percentage is how much of the exam each one is worth.
- Content Domain 1: Development with AWS Services (32% of the exam)Prepare the application deployment package to be deployed to AWS. Deploy applications using Elastic Beanstalk. Deploy serverless applications. Deploy written code in AWS using existing CI/CD pipelines, processes, and patterns.
- Content Domain 2: Security (26% of the exam)Make authenticated calls to AWS services. Implement encryption using AWS services. Implement application authentication and authorization.
- Content Domain 3: Deployment (24% of the exam)Write code that interacts with AWS services by using APIs, SDKs, and AWS CLI. Write code for serverless applications. Translate functional requirements into application design. Implement application design into application code.
- Content Domain 4: Troubleshooting and Optimization (18% of the exam)Optimize application to best use AWS services and features. Migrate existing application code to run on AWS.
The exam at a glance
- Length
- 130 minutes
- Cost
- 150 USD
- Validity
- 3 years
- Style
- Multiple choice
65 questions; either multiple choice or multiple response. Based on DVA-C02. Pass mark is 720.
Sitting the exam
The part nobody publishes in a syllabus. For AWS Developer Associate the logistics are study strategy: what you are allowed to read while the clock runs changes how you should practise, and what a second attempt costs changes when you should book.
Where you sit it
- You can take your test either online with a proctor or at a Pearson VUE testing center.
What you are asked
- The duration of the exam is 130 minutes.
- The exam consists of 65 questions, which are either multiple choice or multiple response.
How it is marked
- Your complete results become accessible in your AWS Certification Account under Exam History within five business days.
If you do not pass
- If you do not pass, you must wait 14 calendar days before trying again.
- There is no cap on how many times you can attempt the test.
- Every new attempt requires you to pay the full registration fee.
- After passing, you cannot sit for the same exam again for two years.
Booking it
- The regular exam price is 150 USD.
- The cost of the exam is 150 USD.
- Your certification will remain valid for 3 years.
Read off the official exam page on 9 September 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm anything you are about to spend money on.
What the exam covers
Straight from the published curriculum. The weights are how much of the exam each area is worth, so they are the honest guide to where your study time should go.
Course content
37 topics
1. AWS Account and Management Console
AWS account setup, AWS Management Console navigation, and basic AWS interaction
2. AWS Global Infrastructure
Regions, availability zones, and AWS global infrastructure concepts
3. IAM Users and Groups
IAM users, groups, and the principle of least privilege
4. IAM Roles and Policies
IAM roles, policies, and policy-based access control
5. AWS CLI Installation and Configuration
Installing and configuring AWS CLI for command-line access
6. AWS SDK Setup and Usage
Installing and using AWS SDKs for programmatic service interaction
7. Interacting with AWS Services via Code
- Write code that interacts with AWS services by using APIs, SDKs, and AWS CLI.
8. Making Authenticated Calls to AWS Services
- Make authenticated calls to AWS services.
9. AWS Compute Services Overview
EC2, Lambda, containers, and compute service selection criteria
10. Event-Driven Architecture Fundamentals
Event-driven design patterns and stateless function concepts
11. Lambda Triggers and API Gateway
Lambda event sources, triggers, and API Gateway integration
12. Lambda Handler Functions
- Write code for serverless applications.
13. Lambda Runtime and Configuration
Lambda runtime environment and environment variable configuration
14. Application Architecture Design
- Translate functional requirements into application design.
15. Scalability and Cost Considerations
Designing for scalability and cost optimization
16. Implementing Application Code
- Implement application design into application code.
17. S3 and Object Storage
S3 buckets, object storage patterns, and S3 service features
18. Database Services and Selection
DynamoDB, RDS, and choosing appropriate database services
19. Encryption Concepts
Encryption at rest, encryption in transit, and data protection principles
20. KMS and Envelope Encryption
AWS KMS key management and envelope encryption patterns
21. Storage Service Encryption
- Implement encryption using AWS services.
22. KMS API Operations and Application Encryption
Using KMS APIs and encrypting application configuration
23. Amazon Cognito User and Identity Pools
- Implement application authentication and authorization.
24. JWT Tokens and Application Authorization
25. Deployment Artifact Preparation
- Prepare the application deployment package to be deployed to AWS.
26. Lambda and Container Deployment Packages
Preparing Lambda deployment packages and container images
27. Deploying with Elastic Beanstalk
- Deploy applications using Elastic Beanstalk.
28. Infrastructure as Code with CloudFormation
- Deploy serverless applications.
29. Lambda and API Gateway Deployment
Deploying Lambda functions and API Gateway using SAM and CloudFormation
30. CI/CD Pipeline Basics
Source control integration, pipeline stages, and CodePipeline
31. Build and Deployment Automation
CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, and automated build and deployment processes
32. Deploying Code with CI/CD Pipelines
- Deploy written code in AWS using existing CI/CD pipelines, processes, and patterns.
33. CloudWatch Logs and Metrics
CloudWatch Logs, CloudWatch Metrics, and log aggregation
34. Distributed Tracing with X-Ray
AWS X-Ray for distributed tracing and application observability
35. Performance Optimization Techniques
- Optimize application to best use AWS services and features.
36. Cost and Resource Optimization
Cost optimization strategies and right-sizing AWS resources
37. Migrating Existing Applications to AWS
- Migrate existing application code to run on AWS.
What to know before you start
- One or more years of hands-on experience in developing and maintaining applications by using AWS services.
- Proficiency in at least one high-level programming language.
- Understanding of application lifecycle management.
- Ability to develop and secure applications by using AWS service APIs, the AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI), and SDKs.
- Ability to use a CI/CD pipeline to deploy applications on AWS.
Other AWS certifications
All AWS certificationsFrequently asked questions
How much does the AWS Developer Associate exam cost?
150 USD. Confirm it on AWS's page before you book: exam fees change.
How long is the AWS Developer Associate exam?
130 minutes. 65 questions; either multiple choice or multiple response.
How many questions are on the AWS Developer Associate exam?
The exam consists of 65 questions, which are either multiple choice or multiple response. Check the current count with AWS before you book.
How long is AWS Developer Associate valid?
3 years. Check AWS's recertification route before it lapses.
Is the AWS Developer Associate exam hands-on?
No. It is a written exam, so the skill it tests is recognising the right design or command rather than executing it under time pressure.
What is on the AWS Developer Associate exam?
4 domains. The heaviest is Content Domain 1: Development with AWS Services at 32% of the exam, so it is the one worth over-preparing.
What should I know before starting AWS Developer Associate?
One or more years of hands-on experience in developing and maintaining applications by using AWS services.. Proficiency in at least one high-level programming language.. Understanding of application lifecycle management.. Ability to develop and secure applications by using AWS service APIs, the AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI), and SDKs.. Ability to use a CI/CD pipeline to deploy applications on AWS..
AWS Developer Associate vs AWS Solutions Architect Associate: what is the difference?
AWS Developer Associate: 130 minutes, 150 USD, multiple choice, associate level. AWS Solutions Architect Associate: 130 minutes, 150 USD, multiple choice, associate level. Both are AWS exams with their own guide on this site.
Exam details from AWS. Always confirm on their page before booking.
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About Acelro rather than the AWS Developer Associate exam: what learners made of the gap analysis, the roadmap and the projects.
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