My AWS SysOps certification story:
10/10/21 AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C02) - cleared thru PSI
Last time I did this certification was way back in march 2017
10/12/21 AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01), cleared thru PSI
Actually wanted to appear for SysOps-Associate.
Requested a voucher for PSI and then figure out the PSI doesn't offer SysOps-Associate test.
I believe that's the only test PSI doesn't offer.
10/18/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - failed thru Pearson Vue
This was very interesting. I got 55 questions, I was done with all the questions and I had more 70 mins left. I was thinking may be this is the easiest exam comparatively. I took my own time to revise all the questions twice. I had about 40mins and decided to submit/close it. Once I submitted it said you have 3 labs for 20mins each and you cannot go back to the lab once submitted. I was not prepared for these labs and had not idea that this test had labs.
I somehow started with the lab, couldn't able to follow all the steps in the first lab. I had only 20mins left for the next two labs
Luckily the 2nd and 3rd labs were easy enough and still had 9 mins left but couldn't go back to the first to fix it.
So, there goes my first failed attempt and now I have wait for 2 weeks before I can attempt this test again. Apparently this is the only test that has labs as of now
Exam labs make up 20% of your total score. A passing score is 720 out of 1,000.
Another thing about this test, or rather not good and frustrating about this test is - it doesn't tell you if you passed or failed right away. It takes couple of days, as per the official statement, it may take upto 5 business days. Most likely because of labs, someone has to review the labs steps and sanctity.
11/18/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - no show thru Pearson Vue
I had to reschedule my test multiple times due to conflict with other meetings and things to do.
It was a 8am test, I login to start the test and find out there is nothing for me to start. I panicked, started calling the Pearson support number (866-207-9983)
They told me, this test was scheduled for 11/12/21 and I didn't show up :-)
I however reschedule my 11/12/21 test to 11/18/21 but it didn't go thru or not sure if I never clicked submit to finalize.
Luckily I had captured the snapshot of the last page of exam time.
I created a ticket with Pearson Vue Case: 07312581, and after few email exchange they cancelled that exam and sent me the refund and restored my voucher.
Please always make sure you have the confirmation email of the exam and also login once before the exam and check the schedule is updated.
11/19/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - failed/void thru Pearson Vue
This test went well, unless I reached lab2.
In Lab2 I couldn't able to edit values in the template, was not able to select the words properly to edit.
Couldn't able type numbers in the notepad and many other issues.
Created a support case with AWS CASE 9232500091, they asked me to create a case with Pearson Vue.
Created a case with Pearson Case ID: 07321951
The response from Pearson after few days of review.
"First and foremost, we want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have faced during your exam.
A case has been submitted on your behalf to AWS, and you can expect to receive an update from AWS shortly.
Our team would like to fix this by offering you a customer service voucher code that can be used to schedule
your next exam at no additional charge to you. "
Once they make the exam void and 2 weeks wait period doesn't apply.
11/30/21 - AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - cleared thru Pearson Vue
Finally I was able re-schedule my 12/3/21 to 11/30/21 to finish it
Bottomline, it creates a huge bump in planning ahead if you fail the test or do not pay enough attention to scheduling or test pattern details. And other thing is this can be a very difficult exam if you are NOT hands-on. The labs are not very difficult but it has its own performance and layout challenges when you are working thru the restricted browser. And finally I would recommend tutorialsdojo.com for labs
Hope you will not make these mistakes I made
10/10/21 AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C02) - cleared thru PSI
Last time I did this certification was way back in march 2017
10/12/21 AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01), cleared thru PSI
Actually wanted to appear for SysOps-Associate.
Requested a voucher for PSI and then figure out the PSI doesn't offer SysOps-Associate test.
I believe that's the only test PSI doesn't offer.
10/18/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - failed thru Pearson Vue
This was very interesting. I got 55 questions, I was done with all the questions and I had more 70 mins left. I was thinking may be this is the easiest exam comparatively. I took my own time to revise all the questions twice. I had about 40mins and decided to submit/close it. Once I submitted it said you have 3 labs for 20mins each and you cannot go back to the lab once submitted. I was not prepared for these labs and had not idea that this test had labs.
I somehow started with the lab, couldn't able to follow all the steps in the first lab. I had only 20mins left for the next two labs
Luckily the 2nd and 3rd labs were easy enough and still had 9 mins left but couldn't go back to the first to fix it.
So, there goes my first failed attempt and now I have wait for 2 weeks before I can attempt this test again. Apparently this is the only test that has labs as of now
Exam labs make up 20% of your total score. A passing score is 720 out of 1,000.
Another thing about this test, or rather not good and frustrating about this test is - it doesn't tell you if you passed or failed right away. It takes couple of days, as per the official statement, it may take upto 5 business days. Most likely because of labs, someone has to review the labs steps and sanctity.
11/18/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - no show thru Pearson Vue
I had to reschedule my test multiple times due to conflict with other meetings and things to do.
It was a 8am test, I login to start the test and find out there is nothing for me to start. I panicked, started calling the Pearson support number (866-207-9983)
They told me, this test was scheduled for 11/12/21 and I didn't show up :-)
I however reschedule my 11/12/21 test to 11/18/21 but it didn't go thru or not sure if I never clicked submit to finalize.
Luckily I had captured the snapshot of the last page of exam time.
I created a ticket with Pearson Vue Case: 07312581, and after few email exchange they cancelled that exam and sent me the refund and restored my voucher.
Please always make sure you have the confirmation email of the exam and also login once before the exam and check the schedule is updated.
11/19/21 AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - failed/void thru Pearson Vue
This test went well, unless I reached lab2.
In Lab2 I couldn't able to edit values in the template, was not able to select the words properly to edit.
Couldn't able type numbers in the notepad and many other issues.
Created a support case with AWS CASE 9232500091, they asked me to create a case with Pearson Vue.
Created a case with Pearson Case ID: 07321951
The response from Pearson after few days of review.
"First and foremost, we want to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have faced during your exam.
A case has been submitted on your behalf to AWS, and you can expect to receive an update from AWS shortly.
Our team would like to fix this by offering you a customer service voucher code that can be used to schedule
your next exam at no additional charge to you. "
Once they make the exam void and 2 weeks wait period doesn't apply.
11/30/21 - AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) - cleared thru Pearson Vue
Finally I was able re-schedule my 12/3/21 to 11/30/21 to finish it
Bottomline, it creates a huge bump in planning ahead if you fail the test or do not pay enough attention to scheduling or test pattern details. And other thing is this can be a very difficult exam if you are NOT hands-on. The labs are not very difficult but it has its own performance and layout challenges when you are working thru the restricted browser. And finally I would recommend tutorialsdojo.com for labs
Hope you will not make these mistakes I made
