5. Cloud Platforms

7 certs | ~$1,400

What You'll Learn

Cloud computing concepts, core services (compute, storage, networking, databases), identity & access management, cost optimization, architecture best practices

AWS Track

Foundational:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) — $100

Associate:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) — $150
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate — $150
• AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate — $150
• AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate — $150

Professional:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional — $300

Specialty:

• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty — $300

Tip

50% discount on your next exam after earning any AWS certification.

Suggested Learning Path

1. Start with AWS Skill Builder free courses and AWS Workshops for hands-on practice
2. Watch Adrian Cantrill or freeCodeCamp's AWS courses for deep dives
3. Take Cloud Practitioner first, then Solutions Architect Associate, then branch into your specialty

Study Guides

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Study Guide with 500 Practice Test Questions: Foundational (CLF-C02) Exam — Ben Piper, David Clinton (Sybex, 2nd Edition, 2023)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide with 900 Practice Test Questions: Associate (SAA-C03) Exam — Ben Piper, David Clinton (Sybex, 4th Edition, 2022)
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Study Guide: Associate SOA-C02 Exam — Jorge T. Negron, Christoffer Jones, George Sawyer (Sybex, 3rd Edition, 2024)
• AWS Certified Developer Study Guide: Associate (DVA-C02) Exam — Brandon Rich (Sybex, 2nd Edition, 2025)
• AWS Certified Data Engineer Study Guide: Associate (DEA-C01) Exam — Syed Humair et al. (Sybex, 1st Edition, 2025)
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking Study Guide: Specialty (ANS-C01) Exam — Todd Montgomery (Sybex, 2nd Edition, 2023)
• AWS Cookbook — John Culkin, Mike Zazon (O'Reilly, 1st Edition, 2022)