Lots of people don’t know this, but AWS recertification exams aren’t any shorter or simpler. They’re the same exact exams as the first time. Same price, same way to sign up and take them too.
I just recertified in three big ones: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, and AWS Certified Security – Specialty. My friends kept asking, “Which is the hardest?” I’d say, “Depends—what do you know best? What did you study? Where’s your experience at?” They didn’t like that answer much. They’d argue the Solutions Architect Professional is the toughest.
So, since I did all three exams with just a week between them, I’ve got a fresh take to compare them.
The Basic Numbers
Here’s how it breaks down:
- Solutions Architect Pro & DevOps Engineer Pro: 180 minutes (210 for me, non-native English speaker), 75 questions.
- Security Specialty: 170 minutes (200 for me), 65 questions.
Security Specialty already sounds less heavy—fewer questions, only 10 minutes less time. But is it really easier? Let’s see.
Security Specialty: The Easiest One?
Spoiler: Security Specialty felt easiest out of the three. It’s not just the 65 questions compared to 75 in the Professional exams. The questions weren’t as tricky either. Here’s some quick math:
I finished Security 40 minutes early, even with my extra 30 minutes. That’s 160 minutes for 65 questions—less than the standard 170, so I didn’t even need the extra time! The Professional exams? Took me the full 210 minutes for 75 questions (well, 205 for DevOps, but close enough). Average it out:
- Professional exams: 2.8 minutes per question (210 ÷ 75).
- Security Specialty: 2.5 minutes per question (160 ÷ 65).
Caption: “Security questions didn’t eat my brain as much.”
That’s about 11% less time per question — Security ones were definitely easier. Now, you might say, “This only works if you studied the same for all three.” Well, I did—or didn’t, depending how you look at it. I didn’t study at all, unless you count 8 years of my AWS job as studying.
My daily AWS job is what got me ready, not a study plan. For me these exams were more about proving what I know already.
So, the comparison holds up.
Solutions Architect vs. DevOps Engineer
Now the two big ones: Solutions Architect Pro versus DevOps Engineer Pro. Both have 75 questions and 210 minutes for me. I used all the time on Solutions Architect, and I had like 5 minutes left on DevOps—so, almost the same deal.
My DevOps score was 60 points higher, so maybe it was easier. But both? Super tough. After 3.5 hours, my head was done — no more work that day. Security Specialty? Finished it, went home, worked 4 more hours, no problem.
Feeling-wise, Security was way less exhausting, maybe half as bad as the Professional exams. I was thinking here was it really so much easier or I just got more practice in security which is the job zero, and it's everywhere, you work with it the most ... nah it was easier 😄
Which Pro Wins the Hard Prize?
You probably want me to pick between the two Professional exams. Okay, my opinion: DevOps Engineer Pro felt a tiny bit harder than Solutions Architect Pro. But I’m still saying what I said before—it depends on you.
How much you prepped, which AWS services you know well, that’s what matters. I’ve been a Solutions Architect and Technical Trainer for years, so I get the big architecture picture. Maybe that’s why Solutions Architect wasn’t as rough for me as DevOps.
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