u/VelkiaHI

Every time I post here, I get a comment saying, "That's a lot of money to spend on certifications." But let's think about it, is it really?

I like to think about how much other things cost. How much do people pay for a new iPhone? Or how much do they spend when they go out for a night or to a nice restaurant? Things that aren't really necessary and offer quick pleasure, but don't really give you anything in the long term.

Also, let's think about how much people spend on shitty courses, only to end up without a job, or maybe with a job that doesn't pay very well.

When you get all the AWS certifications, you become a Golden Jacket. Even though being a Golden Jacket is not a 100% guarantee that you'll get a specific job, it can increase your chances significantly, especially at companies that are AWS Partners. There are currently only around 300-400 Golden Jackets worldwide. Let that sink in.

So I'll ask again: is $1,325 really that expensive for a title that's internationally recognized? I actually think it's quite cheap.

You pay $1,325 if you manage to pass every single exam without failing, because you get a 50% voucher after every pass. If you fail, things obviously start getting more expensive.

Also, a bonus for now:

🟥 Beta exams already cost half the price.

The AI Business Strategist and Machine Learning Engineer are currently in beta, so you already pay half price without needing a voucher.

🟩 There's also a new 50% off + free retake promotion.

With the code PearsonRetake2026, you pay 50% for the first attempt, and if you don't pass, the retake is free. The first attempt can be taken between 09/29 and 11/17/2026, and the retake between 01/04 and 04/07/2027.

Official link: https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/test-takers/free-retake.html

Hey guys, just passed the AWS Certified AI Business Strategist!

The exam is interesting. It feels a bit more like a college admission test than a traditional certification exam. It's very heavily dependent on logic, text interpretation, and critical thinking.

It's much more about understanding a scenario, interpreting what's being asked, and making the right business decision than knowing specific AWS services.

I think it's harder than a common Foundational exam in a different way. You need strong critical thinking skills, and the content isn't always as straightforward. At the same time, it can be easier because you don't really need "specific knowledge" to answer the questions.

It will probably depend a lot on the person. Someone with strong critical thinking skills might find it quite easy, while someone who struggles with interpreting scenarios could have a harder time.

For context, I didn't study specifically for this exam and didn't do any mock exams. I already had a lot of knowledge about AI, so I decided to just go for it.

The exam had 85 questions, and it was definitely exhausting.

10/13!

AWS has announced a new certification focused on the business and strategic side of AI.

It covers topics like AI investments, business cases, governance, and adoption at scale. You also don't need prior AWS experience to take it.

📝 85 questions
⏱️ 170 minutes
💰 $50 during beta, then $100

Official link: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-ai-business-strategist/

Official blog post: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/training-and-certification/introducing-aws-certified-ai-business-strategist-built-for-the-people-who-scale-ai/

There’s also an Early Adopter badge. If you pass by February 15, 2027, you get the extra badge alongside the certification.

Seems like an interesting addition to the AWS certifications, especially for people working closer to AI strategy and business decisions

As part of my challenge to achieve the golden jacket in one year, I had to get this one before the deadline.

I studied for about 15 days, 8-10 hours a day, and took the exam in the middle of my trip to Italy.

Funny thing is, one day before the exam, I found out from a post in this sub that they had extended the retirement date 🤡

Still, I decided to stick to the challenge. I wanted to prove I could do it by the original deadline.

8/12!

Hey guys, AWS just released 12 new SimuLearn badges!

The interesting thing is that these aren't just "watch and get badges", it's more like the direction microcredentials are going. You actually have to interact with a virtual customer, read requirements, design the architecture, build the solution in an AWS account, and get validation.

Two of them (Cloud Practitioner and AI Practitioner) are free, so it's worth checking out.

I think this is a pretty good direction for future badges. If you want to try something more challenging, check the Demonstrated Microcredentials as well!

Official link: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/training-and-certification/introducing-aws-simulearn-learning-plan-badges-verifiable-proof-of-hands-on-cloud-skills/

Microcredentials: https://skillbuilder.aws/category/type/microcredentials

Just got all 5 AWS Microcredentials.

In my opinion, they're harder than some of the Associate certifications. I genuinely believe that some people I know who hold a few AWS certifications would not pass these.

Overall, I think they're very challenging. It would be interesting if AWS incorporated this format into the certification exams, or at least made it part of the exam. Maybe even a two-part exam idk. Just some thoughts.

Anyway, now that I've completed them, whenever I see someone who has those, I'll know they actually know their stuff.

Hey guys, I was scrolling around OnVue's website yesterday and noticed a new promo

You get 50% off the AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam, and if you pass it by September 30, you’ll get a FREE voucher for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

Promo code: AIF2CLOUD

Official link for the promo: https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/aws/aif2cloud.html

Pretty good deal for anyone planning to take both AIF and CLF.

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I'm also offering 6 FREE full-length mock exams for AIF and CLF on my study platform. There's no cost at all, just create an account and start preparing for the exam today: Clouding Academy

Hey guys, I was scrolling around envue right now and noticed a new promo

You get 50% off the AWS Certified AI Practitioner exam, and if you pass it by September 30, you’ll get a FREE voucher for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam.

Promo code: AIF2CLOUD

Pretty good deal for anyone planning to take both AIF and CLF.

Recently, I passed SAP and started working on my own platform. Since I started studying for AWS certifications with the goal of getting all 12 in 1 year, I've started facing problems with the study platforms available around. There's either a problem with the quality of the questions or a problem with the user experience, mobile compatibility, and all that jazz. I also had a few ideas for exclusive modes to help with memorization as well.

https://clouding.academy

So here I will list a few things that the website has:

• FREE 6 exams for CLF and AIF temporarily
• 48 real labs, following the microcredential style.
• Weighted question system, with scores generated following the real scaled model of AWS certifications.
• Performance Hub that evaluates speed, retention, knowledge, and comprehensiveness.
• Defined study path following a progression tree that focuses on question solving, visualization, speed, and hands-on experience.
• Gamified progression style: you unlock badges and achievements as you advance.
• Defined daily practice for those who don't have time to complete a full exam every day.
• Blitz! Mode, where you must answer cards quickly to stay alive. Each correct answer increases your remaining time. Each incorrect answer reduces it.
• Arch Builder, an architecture building mode combining visualization + question interpretation, where you need to build the architecture according to the question.

Recently, I passed SAP and started working on my own platform. Since I started studying for AWS certifications with the goal of getting all 12 in 1 year, I've started facing problems with the study platforms available around. There's either a problem with the quality of the questions or a problem with the user experience, mobile compatibility, and all that jazz. I also had a few ideas for exclusive modes to help with memorization as well.

https://clouding.academy

So here I will list a few things that the website has:

• FREE 6 exams for CLF and AIF temporarily
• 48 real labs, following the microcredential style.
• Weighted question system, with scores generated following the real scaled model of AWS certifications.
• Performance Hub that evaluates speed, retention, knowledge, and comprehensiveness.
• Defined study path following a progression tree that focuses on question solving, visualization, speed, and hands-on experience.
• Gamified progression style: you unlock badges and achievements as you advance.
• Defined daily practice for those who don't have time to complete a full exam every day.
• Blitz! Mode, where you must answer cards quickly to stay alive. Each correct answer increases your remaining time. Each incorrect answer reduces it.
• Arch Builder, an architecture building mode combining visualization + question interpretation, where you need to build the architecture according to the question.

Hey guys, two months ago I passed the SAP-C02 after 3 months of learning cloud. I had no previous experience except for computer stuff I've learned passively during my life. I'm also currently doing the Golden Jacket Challenge, with the goal of achieving all certifications in 1 year. I'm 4/12 as of now. If you guys are on a similar path, send me a message for us to connect on LinkedIn