Become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)

A hands-on training program for the AWS Solutions Architect - Associate exam. Design secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-optimized architectures with IAM, S3, EC2, VPC, RDS, DynamoDB and more - built around the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

350+ exam Q&A· 3 mock tests· 10 modules · 100+ lessons· 30+ hands-on labs· Aligned to SAA-C03· 2 bonus beginner courses
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Your SAA-C03 learning path

From core services to
well-architected solutions.

The SAA-C03 exam checks whether you can design AWS solutions that are secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-optimized - the four exam domains, all based on the AWS Well-Architected Framework.

Nine modules cover security, storage, compute, networking, databases, application services, automation and architecture - with hands-on labs in almost every module - plus a tenth module for exam prep.

Security
Module 1 - Security Management in AWS
Secure your AWS accounts and workloads: the shared responsibility model, IAM roles, federation and SSO, AWS Organizations, Cognito, WAF, Shield, GuardDuty, Inspector, KMS and Certificate Manager.
17 lessons · 3 labs
  • AWS Shared Responsibility Model - Part 1
  • AWS Shared Responsibility Model - Part 2
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM)
  • IAM Components
  • IAM Roles
  • IAM Federation & SSO
  • IAM Best Practices
  • IAM Delegation, Audit, Identity & Credential Management
  • AWS Organizations
  • Amazon Cognito
  • AWS WAF
  • AWS Shield
  • AWS GuardDuty & Firewall Manager
  • Amazon Inspector
  • AWS KMS
  • AWS Certificate Manager
  • Accessing Billing
  • ⚡ Lab - Working with AWS IAM
  • ⚡ Lab - Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
  • ⚡ Lab - AWS KMS: Create & Use Keys
Storage
Module 2 - Object Storage Options
Master Amazon S3 - bucket policies, ACLs, versioning, replication, storage classes and lifecycle - plus CloudFront, the Snow Family, Storage Gateway, Glacier and DataSync.
16 lessons · 4 labs
  • Object Storage Options
  • Simple Storage Service (S3)
  • S3 Bucket Policy
  • Amazon S3 ACL
  • S3 Object Versioning
  • Cross Region Replication
  • Transfer Acceleration in Amazon S3
  • Storage Classes
  • Requester Pays & Object Locks
  • Content Delivery Network
  • AWS Snow Family
  • AWS Storage Gateway
  • S3 Glacier Vault & S3 Object Lock
  • S3 Batch Operations
  • AWS DataSync
  • Bucket Level Security
  • ⚡ Lab - Create S3 Bucket, Upload & Access Files
  • ⚡ Lab - S3 Cross Region Replication
  • ⚡ Lab - S3 Lifecycle Management on an S3 Bucket
  • ⚡ Lab - Deliver Content Faster with Amazon CloudFront
Compute
Module 3 - Designing the Computing Environment
Design with Amazon EC2 - AMIs, key pairs, security groups, tenancy, purchasing options and placement groups - and attach the right storage with EBS, EFS and FSx.
14 lessons · 7 labs
  • Amazon EC2 & Tags
  • Metadata & User Data
  • Amazon Machine Image (AMI)
  • Key Pair in EC2
  • AWS Security Groups
  • EC2 Hardware Tenancy
  • EC2 Purchasing Options
  • Amazon EC2 Networking Layer
  • Amazon EC2 Placement Groups
  • AWS Storage Services
  • EBS Snapshots
  • Amazon Elastic File System
  • SSM Session Manager
  • Amazon FSx
  • ⚡ Lab - Configure IIS Web Server on a Windows EC2 Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - AWS EC2 Instance Metadata
  • ⚡ Lab - Create & Manage EBS Volumes & Snapshots
  • ⚡ Lab - Attach & Mount EBS Volume to a Linux EC2 Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - Attach & Mount EBS Volume to a Windows EC2 Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - Create & Mount Amazon EFS on an EC2 Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - Create a Windows File System Using Amazon FSx
High availability
Module 4 - Load Balancer, Route 53 & Auto Scaling
Build highly available, scalable applications with Elastic Load Balancing, EC2 Auto Scaling and Amazon Route 53 DNS routing.
8 lessons · 4 labs
  • Elastic Load Balancer & Its Types
  • Comparison Between the Load Balancers
  • Auto Scaling in AWS
  • Types of Scaling
  • Lifecycle of Auto Scaling
  • Limitations of Auto Scaling
  • Introduction to Amazon Route 53
  • Working of Route 53
  • ⚡ Lab - Configure a Network Load Balancer
  • ⚡ Lab - Configure a Load Balancer & Auto Scaling
  • ⚡ Lab - Launch Template for an Auto Scaling Group
  • ⚡ Lab - Register a GoDaddy Domain & Map It Using Route 53
Networking
Module 5 - Networking & Monitoring Services
Design VPCs - CIDR, subnets, gateways, peering, VPN, Direct Connect and Transit Gateway - and monitor everything with CloudWatch, CloudTrail, Trusted Advisor and AWS Config.
17 lessons · 7 labs
  • Introduction to VPC
  • Default & Non-Default VPC
  • Components of VPC
  • IP Address
  • Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR)
  • Subnet and Subnet Masks
  • IPv4 vs IPv6
  • Public & Private Subnet, Internet Gateway
  • VPN and Direct Connect
  • Amazon CloudWatch
  • AWS CloudTrail
  • AWS Trusted Advisor
  • AWS Config
  • Event-Driven Automated Actions
  • CloudWatch & How It Works
  • What Are Monitoring Services
  • AWS Global Accelerator
  • ⚡ Lab - Create a Custom Virtual Private Cloud
  • ⚡ Lab - Work with VPC Peering Connection
  • ⚡ Lab - Configure Amazon CloudWatch
  • ⚡ Lab - Enable CloudTrail and Store Logs in S3
  • ⚡ Lab - Set Up AWS Config to Assess, Audit & Evaluate
  • ⚡ Lab - Establish a Client VPN
  • ⚡ Lab - Working with Transit Gateways
Databases
Module 6 - Database Server & Analytics
Choose and design the right database: RDS and Aurora, DynamoDB with global tables and DAX, ElastiCache (Redis and Memcached), Redshift, Kinesis and Athena.
16 lessons · 4 labs
  • Databases and Their Types
  • Amazon RDS and Its Benefits
  • RDS Database Instance and Read Replica
  • DB Instance Regions and Availability Zones
  • Amazon DynamoDB
  • DynamoDB API and DynamoDB Streams
  • Read Consistency in DynamoDB
  • Amazon ElastiCache
  • Amazon Redshift
  • Amazon Kinesis
  • Amazon Aurora
  • RDS & Aurora Backups and Security
  • Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables
  • DynamoDB Benefits & Use Cases
  • Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX)
  • Memcached & Redis
  • ⚡ Lab - Create & Query with Amazon DynamoDB
  • ⚡ Lab - Configure a MySQL DB Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - Create a Redis Cache & Connect an EC2 Instance
  • ⚡ Lab - Amazon Athena
Application
Module 7 - Application & Messaging Services
Decouple and connect applications with SQS, SNS and SES, go serverless, and explore AppFlow, Pinpoint and Simple Workflow Service.
10 lessons · 2 labs
  • AWS Application Services
  • Amazon SES
  • Amazon SNS
  • Amazon SQS
  • Serverless Computing
  • Amazon AppFlow
  • Amazon Pinpoint
  • Simple Workflow Service
  • Types of SQS
  • Limitations of SES
  • ⚡ Lab - Send an Email Through Amazon SES
  • ⚡ Lab - Event-Driven Architectures
Automation
Module 8 - Configuration Management & Automation
Automate infrastructure and deployments with CloudFormation, Elastic Beanstalk and OpsWorks - and learn the YAML basics behind Docker and Kubernetes.
6 lessons · 2 labs
  • AWS CloudFormation
  • AWS Elastic Beanstalk
  • AWS OpsWorks
  • Elastic Beanstalk vs OpsWorks vs CloudFormation
  • YAML Basics for Docker
  • YAML Basics for Kubernetes
  • ⚡ Lab - Create & Update Stacks Using CloudFormation
  • ⚡ Lab - Deploy a Web Application with Elastic Beanstalk
Architecture
Module 9 - Architecting on AWS
Apply the Well-Architected Framework and its pillars: resilience and availability, decoupling, multi-tier design, disaster recovery and high-performing architectures.
15 lessons
  • Why We Need the Well-Architected Framework
  • How to Build a Well-Architected Framework
  • Pillars of the Well-Architected Framework
  • Security Pillar
  • Reliability Pillar
  • Performance Efficiency Pillar
  • Cost Optimization Pillar
  • Operational Excellence Pillar
  • Resilience & How to Calculate Availability
  • Handling Resources During Failure
  • Resilient Databases
  • Decoupling Services
  • Multi-Tier Architecture
  • Disaster Recovery
  • Designing High-Performing Architectures
Exam prep
Module 10 - Exam Prep: Mock Tests & 350+ Exam Q&A
Three full mock tests and 350+ exam questions - with answers to learn from and in practice mode to test yourself - plus how to register for your exam.
3 mock tests · 350+ questions
  • ☑ Mock Test - Set 1
  • ☑ Mock Test - Set 2
  • ☑ Mock Test - Set 3
  • 350+ Exam Q&A - with answers
  • 350+ Exam Q&A - without answers (practice mode)
  • How to register for the AWS Certification exam
Certification track

Your path to passing SAA-C03

A clear order to follow, from your first lesson to exam day.

1
Cover the basics if you're new
Start with the two beginner courses in cloud and AWS so the core program makes sense from day one.
2
Work through the 9 core modules
100+ lessons across security, storage, compute, networking, databases, application services, automation and architecture.
3
Build it yourself in 30+ labs
IAM, KMS, S3, CloudFront, EC2, EBS, EFS, FSx, load balancers, Auto Scaling, Route 53, VPC, Transit Gateway, RDS, DynamoDB, CloudFormation and more - hands-on in AWS.
4
Test yourself with exam questions
Work through 350+ exam questions, then take the 3 mock tests to check you're ready.
5
Register and pass
Follow the exam-prep guide to book your AWS Certification exam.

Includes 350+ exam Q&A and 3 mock tests, plus 30+ hands-on labs.

See pricing →
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As a VP of Software Engineering making a deliberate career transition into AI/ML and Cloud leadership, I've been extremely selective about where I invest my time and money. Enrolling in K21 Academy's AI/ML/GenAI/Agentic AI Track Program has been one of the best professional decisions I've made this year. Since joining, I've completed four courses Python, Mastery Gen AI, Agentic AI, and MLOps in AWS and successfully passed three Microsoft certification exams: AI-900, AZ-900, and AB-731. What sets K21 apart is the depth of knowledge their trainers bring. The hands-on projects on both Azure and AWS gave me practical experience that actually shows up on a resume and in interviews.

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VP of Software Engineering · California, USA
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A one-stop-shop for a great AI/ML career transition experience

K21 Academy is a great professional institution to meet your AI/ML career aspirations, and has the right training, courseware and job application, interview and placement support to help students achieve their goals. I particularly like the quality and depth of the faculty's knowledge, so conducive to learning. With AI/ML growing at such a rapid pace, it is imperative that we get connected with the right industry professionals who bring their experience and expertise to help students transition into a meaningful AI/ML career.

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AI/ML Career Transition
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One of the best learning and professional growth experiences

I am 3 weeks into the AI/ML program. The support is extremely awesome for labs, doubts and even resume updates. Atul Sir is always available to address your concerns and provide career guidance. I am extremely impressed with all the live class teachers. The job and resume support is great. The team creates a custom game plan / learning path for everyone. The real world project experiences and hands-on lab experience is a key differentiator it sets this program apart from anything else I've tried.

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AI/ML Program · USA
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Full Stack AI Program · USA
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Bonus - beginner courses

New to cloud or AWS?
Start here.

Two beginner courses that give you the foundations before you move on to the Solutions Architect program.

For beginners
Cloud for Beginners
What cloud computing is and why it matters - service and deployment models, AWS vs Azure vs GCP vs Oracle, and how core services compare across clouds.
16 lessons · 2 labs
  • Cloud (What & Why)
  • Cloud Characteristics
  • Benefits of Cloud
  • CapEx vs OpEx
  • Cloud Service Models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
  • Shared Responsibility Model
  • Deployment Models: Public, Private, Hybrid
  • Which Cloud: AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI
  • Multi-Cloud: What & Why?
  • AWS vs Azure vs GCP vs Oracle
  • Global Infrastructure
  • AWS Core Services - Overview
  • EC2 vs Azure Virtual Machines
  • Storage Services: S3 vs Azure Blob Storage
  • Database - RDS vs Azure SQL Database
  • Networking - VPC vs Azure Virtual Network
  • ⚡ Lab - Create an AWS Free Tier Account
  • ⚡ Lab - Create an Azure Free Tier Account
For beginners
AWS for Beginners
Core AWS services end to end - IAM, compute, storage, networking, databases, monitoring, application services and DevOps tools - plus pricing, billing and account management.
21 lessons · 2 labs
  • Module & Cloud Overview
  • AWS Overview & Comparison
  • AWS Global Infrastructure: Regions & AZs
  • AWS Services
  • IAM Users, Groups, Policies & Roles
  • Compute: EC2, Lambda, ECS, EKS & Fargate
  • Storage Services: Block, Object, File - S3 & EBS
  • Network Services: VPC, Subnets, Gateways & Load Balancers
  • Database Services: RDS, DynamoDB & ElastiCache
  • Automation & Configuration: CloudFormation
  • Audit & Monitoring: CloudWatch & CloudTrail
  • Application Services: SNS, SES, SQS & SWF
  • DevOps Tools: CodeCommit & CodeBuild
  • AWS Architecture Overview
  • Ways to Access AWS
  • AWS Global Infrastructure
  • Core AWS Services Overview
  • IAM - Users, Groups, Roles & Policies
  • AWS Shared Responsibility Model
  • AWS Pricing & Billing Overview
  • AWS Account Management & Organizations
  • ⚡ Lab - Create an AWS Free Tier Account
  • ⚡ Lab - Set Up Billing Alerts & Budget Controls
What the program includes

Everything to become an AWS Solutions Architect - and get certified.

Lessons, labs and exam preparation, aligned to SAA-C03.

350+ Exam Q&A and 3 Mock Tests

350+ exam questions with and without answers, three full mock tests, and a step-by-step guide to registering for your exam.

10 Modules, 100+ Lessons

Security, object storage, compute, load balancing and auto scaling, networking and monitoring, databases, application services, automation, architecture and exam prep.

30+ Hands-On Labs

Work in IAM, Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, Amazon VPC, CloudFront, EBS, EFS, FSx, Route 53, Transit Gateway, RDS, DynamoDB, ElastiCache, CloudFormation and more.

Well-Architected Design

The five pillars of the Well-Architected Framework, resilience and availability, decoupling, multi-tier architecture and disaster recovery - the thinking SAA-C03 tests.

2 Beginner Courses

Cloud for Beginners and AWS for Beginners - for anyone starting from zero.

Choose your payment plan

Two plans. Pick the one that suits you.

The complete SAA-C03 program - 10 modules, 100+ lessons, 30+ hands-on labs, 350+ exam Q&A, 3 mock tests, and 2 bonus beginner courses.

Best Value
SAA-C03 Complete Program
$1,997 $997
Save $1,000 - one payment
  • AWS Solutions Architect Associate [SAA-C03] course
  • 10 modules · 100+ lessons
  • 30+ hands-on labs
  • Well-Architected, resilient & cost-optimized design
  • 350+ exam Q&A
  • 3 full mock tests
  • Bonus: 2 beginner courses in cloud & AWS
Enroll now - $1,997 $997 →
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Every one of these learners came to K21 Academy with a goal. Every one of them shipped real projects, landed interviews, and got hired.

"

I'm thrilled to share that I've recently landed a role as a Generative AI Engineer. The hands-on projects let me confidently describe an end-to-end AI solution in the interview. The interviewer was genuinely impressed.

S
Steve
Generative AI Engineer
✓ Google review verified
"

I've successfully landed a job as an AI Engineer. Worked hands-on with cloud AI services and foundation models. Later received a second offer as a Generative AI Engineer. K21 gave me the skills and confidence to choose.

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Debasish Dash
AI Engineer → Generative AI Engineer
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"

I have finally secured a contract-to-hire role as a Generative AI Engineer. I was deploying a RAG pipeline to a web app during the actual hiring process. The projects I built at K21 were exactly what the company needed.

II
Ike Imala
Generative AI Engineer (contract-to-hire)
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Excited to share that I have successfully passed my AI certification exam! A big thank you to the K21 Academy team for their excellent training, well-structured course content, and continuous support. I highly recommend K21 Academy to anyone preparing for AI/ML certifications.

AA
Adnan Ahmed
AI/ML Engineer, Certified
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Common questions

Before you enroll.

Who is this program for?
Cloud engineers, system administrators, developers, DevOps engineers, IT professionals moving into cloud, and anyone who designs or wants to design solutions on AWS and wants the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification.
What does the SAA-C03 exam cover?
The exam has four domains: Design Secure Architectures (30%), Design Resilient Architectures (26%), Design High-Performing Architectures (24%) and Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (20%). The program covers the AWS services and Well-Architected principles behind each domain.
Do I need prior experience?
AWS recommends at least one year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions with AWS services. If you're newer than that, start with the two beginner courses in cloud and AWS before the main program.
Is exam practice included?
Yes. You get 350+ exam questions - with answers to learn from and without answers to test yourself - plus three full mock tests.
Is the exam fee included?
No. You register and pay for the exam directly with AWS. The exam-prep module shows you how to register.
What is the exam format and passing score?
The exam has 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions and you get 130 minutes to complete it. AWS reports results as a scaled score from 100 to 1,000, and the minimum passing score is 720.

Ready to become an AWS Solutions Architect?

Design secure, resilient and cost-optimized architectures on AWS - and earn the SAA-C03 certification.

View pricing & enroll →
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03) Training - by K21 Academy