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Free AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 Exam Questions and Answers

Replaces AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C02. Questions from the earlier version are also in this bank.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) is the exam AWS sets for people who design systems on its cloud. It runs 130 minutes, asks 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions, and is scored from 100 to 1000 with 720 to pass — compensatory scoring, so a weak domain can be carried by a strong one. Four domains are weighted: secure architectures 30%, resilient architectures 26%, high-performing architectures 24%, cost-optimised architectures 20%. There is no formal prerequisite, though AWS recommends about a year of hands-on design work. Security carries the most marks and repays the most study. The bank also holds questions from the earlier SAA-C01 and SAA-C02 versions of this exam.

Candidates comparing SAA-C03 exam dumps, ExamTopics and other SAA-C03 practice tests use this page for the answers and explanations behind each question. Download the free SAA-C03 PDF, then sit the timed SAA-C03 exam simulation before booking with Amazon.

Last updated: October 3, 2026

Exam code
SAA-C03
Provider
Amazon
Questions in our bank
1000+
Free to read
First 10, with answers
Our test mode duration & pass mark
130 mins · 70%
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Question #3

A company runs an online marketplace web application on AWS. The application serves hundreds of thousands of users during peak hours. The company needs a scalable, near- real-time solution to share the details of millions of financial transactions with several other internal applications Transactions also need to be processed to remove sensitive data before being stored in a document database for low-latency retrieval. What should a solutions architect recommend to meet these requirements?

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FAQ

Learn More: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/

Q1: How much does the AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam cost?
A: The exam costs 150 USD as of October 2026, and you pay the full fee for every attempt. If you already hold an AWS certification you receive a 50% discount voucher in your AWS Certification Account that can be applied to the exam.
Q2: How many questions are on the SAA-C03 exam and how long is it?
A: The real exam has 65 questions and you get 130 minutes. Only 50 questions count towards your score; the other 15 are unscored items AWS is trialling, and they are not identified on the exam.
Q3: Is the SAA-C03 exam hard to pass?
A: AWS does not publish a pass rate, but you need a scaled score of at least 720 on a 100 to 1,000 scale, and scoring is compensatory, so you only need to pass the exam overall rather than each domain. Questions are multiple choice (one correct answer out of four) or multiple response (two or more correct answers out of five or more), unanswered questions count as wrong and there is no penalty for guessing. AWS recommends at least one year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions on AWS, but there are no formal prerequisites.
Q4: What are the SAA-C03 exam domains and weightings?
A: The exam guide weights the scored content as Design Secure Architectures 30%, Design Resilient Architectures 26%, Design High-Performing Architectures 24% and Design Cost-Optimized Architectures 20%.
Q5: How long is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification valid?
A: The certification is valid for 3 years. To keep it you either pass the latest version of the Solutions Architect Associate exam before it expires or earn the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional certification, which renews the Associate at the same time.
Q6: Can I take the SAA-C03 exam online, and in which languages?
A: You can take the exam at a Pearson VUE test centre or as an online proctored exam. It is offered in English, French (France), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, although AWS has said the Italian version will be retired after December 31, 2026.
Q7: What is the retake policy if I fail the SAA-C03 exam?
A: If you fail you must wait 14 calendar days before you can retake the exam, and you pay the full registration fee each time. AWS sets no limit on the number of attempts, but once you pass you cannot retake the same exam version for two years.
Q8: Is there a new version of the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam coming?
A: As of October 2026 AWS has not announced a successor to SAA-C03 or a retirement date for it. AWS's September 2026 certification updates cover the Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C03), Developer Associate (DVA-C03) and Machine Learning Engineer Associate (MLA-C02) exams, but not the Solutions Architect Associate.
Q9: What is the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 exam?
A: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 is a Amazon certification exam. Judging by the questions in our bank, it concentrates on amazon, architect, lambda, overhead and instances.
Q10: What topics does the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 exam cover?
A: Questions in our AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 bank cluster around amazon, architect, lambda, overhead, instances, bucket, operational and documents. Working through the full set is the quickest way to find which of these you are weakest on.
Q11: How should I prepare for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03?
A: Work through the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 practice questions here, checking your answer on each one, then sit the practice test to rehearse the exam under timed conditions before the real thing.
Q12: Are these real AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 exam questions?
A: They are drawn from officially released past questions and from community members who have sat AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03. Answers are verified and updated weekly.
Q13: Where do I register for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 exam?
A: Register through Amazon directly at https://aws.amazon.com/certification/. Exampractice is not affiliated with Amazon and does not administer the exam.
Q14: Is there a free AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 sample?
A: Yes. Every AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate SAA-C03 page shows a free sample of real questions. Upgrading opens the full bank and the practice test.
Q15: What are Amazon Certification Exams?
A: Amazon Certification Exams validate your expertise in Amazon Web Services (AWS), covering a range of cloud computing skills, including architecture, development, operations, and data analytics. These certifications demonstrate your proficiency in designing, deploying, and managing applications on the AWS platform.
Q16: Why should I pursue Amazon Certification?
A: Amazon Certification enhances your professional credibility, showcasing your skills and knowledge in AWS services. This can lead to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and career advancement in the cloud computing and IT industry.
Q17: What are the benefits of Amazon Certification?
A: Benefits include recognition as a certified cloud professional, improved job performance, access to exclusive resources, continuing education opportunities, and staying current with the latest AWS technologies and best practices.
Q18: Who should take Amazon Certification Exams?
A: IT professionals, cloud architects, developers, system administrators, data analysts, and anyone involved in designing, implementing, and managing cloud solutions on AWS should consider these certifications to validate their expertise and advance their careers.
Q19: What types of Amazon Certification Exams are available?
A: Amazon offers various certification paths, including Foundational Level (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner), Associate Level (AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator), Professional Level (AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional), and Specialty Certifications (Security, Big Data, Advanced Networking, and more).
Q20: How do I prepare for Amazon Certification Exams?
A: Preparation can include official AWS training courses, study guides, practice exams, online tutorials, and hands-on experience with AWS services and solutions.
Q21: Where can I take Amazon Certification Exams?
A: Amazon Certification Exams can be taken online or at authorized testing centers worldwide, providing flexibility to fit your schedule and location.
Q22: How do Amazon Certifications impact my career?
A: Amazon Certifications significantly boost your career by demonstrating your expertise to employers, making you a more competitive candidate for advanced roles and promotions in the cloud computing and IT industry.
Q23: Are there any prerequisites for Amazon Certification Exams?
A: Some exams may have prerequisites, such as foundational knowledge or prior certifications. Check the specific requirements for each certification path on the AWS Certification website.
Q24: How often do I need to recertify for Amazon Certifications?
A: AWS Certifications typically require recertification every three years to ensure that certified professionals stay updated with the latest AWS technologies and industry practices.
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