Introduction.
The world of cloud certifications is constantly evolving and nowhere is that more evident than in the AWS certification landscape. If you’re preparing to become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, you’ve likely come across two versions of the exam: SAA-C02 and the newer SAA-C03. At first glance, this transition may seem confusing. Do you need to throw out your old study materials? Is the new exam significantly harder? What exactly changed between C02 and C03 and what does it mean for you as a candidate?
I asked myself the same questions when AWS announced the SAA-C03 update. Having already begun studying for SAA-C02, I wondered whether all my prep time was now obsolete. But after digging into the differences, reading AWS’s updated exam guide, and exploring community feedback, I realized that the shift from C02 to C03 is more of a targeted refresh than a complete rewrite. In fact, over 90% of the core concepts and services remain the same, and much of what you learned for C02 is still fully relevant in C03.
That said, the changes that did occur are worth paying close attention to. AWS has refined its focus areas, increased emphasis on topics like security, cost optimization, and resilience, and incorporated more real-world architecture scenarios that mirror current cloud best practices. The updated exam reflects the natural growth of AWS services and the need for solutions architects to make informed, secure, and scalable design decisions in an increasingly complex cloud environment.
This blog is here to give you clarity. Whether you’re just starting your certification journey or are mid-way through preparing for SAA-C02, I’ll break down the key differences in content, structure, exam domains, and what AWS expects from candidates under the SAA-C03 format. I’ll also share what stayed the same so you don’t waste time relearning things that haven’t changed.
Understanding the evolution of this exam is not just about passing a test it’s about ensuring you’re prepared to apply AWS knowledge in real-world architecture roles. The certification should reflect actual job skills, and AWS seems to be moving closer to that vision with each exam revision. SAA-C03 better emphasizes architectural thinking, security-first design, and cost-aware decision-making skills that are now table stakes in most cloud roles.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear picture of:
- What AWS added or removed in SAA-C03
- How the domain weightings shifted
- Which topics gained more attention (like IAM, serverless, monitoring, hybrid cloud)
- What materials and strategies you can still use from SAA-C02
- How to approach your study plan without starting from scratch
So if you’re trying to decide whether your current study resources are enough, or if you need to pivot your approach, this comparison guide will help you make informed decisions. Let’s walk through the evolution from SAA-C02 to SAA-C03 and help you focus your energy where it matters most.
What Stayed the Same: Core Structure & Architecture Principles
- Same Certification: Earning either version gives you the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credential.
- Exam Format: The exam continues to use multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. There is no shift to lab-based tasks or hands-on exam steps.
- Duration & Scoring: The exam length, scoring range, and pass criteria remain similar (around 130 minutes, score out of 1000, passing threshold ~720).
- Foundational Domains: The four broad domains resilience, performance, security, cost optimization are still core to the exam.
- Overlapping Content: It’s widely reported that over 90% of task statements from SAA‑C02 carry over into SAA‑C03.
Because of this overlap, candidates who have begun studying for SAA‑C02 don’t need to discard everything they can reuse much of their material and build on it.
What’s New or Changed in SAA‑C03
While much has stayed consistent, several updates reflect evolving AWS capabilities, industry trends, and a stronger emphasis on security.
| Aspect | SAA‑C02 | SAA‑C03 | What Changed / Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain Weightings | Design Resilient (30%) High-Performing (28%) Secure Applications & Architectures (24%) Cost-Optimized (18%) | Design Secure Architectures (30%) Resilient (26%) High Performing (24%) Cost-Optimized (20%) | The biggest shift is rising security emphasis and slightly higher weight for cost optimization. The domain formerly labeled “Secure Applications & Architectures” is now “Secure Architectures,” indicating a more integrated security approach. |
| New & Updated Services | Covered core services (EC2, S3, RDS, IAM, VPC, etc.) | Adds newer services or updated features (e.g. Global Accelerator, AWS Backup, DataSync, enhancements in serverless, hybrid, analytics) | These additions reflect how AWS continues to expand its service portfolio and encourages architects to know newer tools and integrations. |
| Security Depth | Security was already part of the exam, but with a lower weighting | Increased emphasis on IAM, encryption, logging, monitoring, network security, compliance | AWS is reinforcing that security must be foundational—not an afterthought. |
| Exam Labs / Hands-On Tasks | No labs | Still no lab-based tasks in SAA‑C03 | Some expected labs, but AWS chose to continue with the standard MCQ / multiple-response format. |
| Blueprint Specificity | The SAA‑C02 blueprint was broader | The SAA‑C03 blueprint (exam guide) is more detailed in listing in-scope / out-of-scope, services, and skill expectations per domain | The added clarity helps candidates know exactly what is expected in each domain |
| Relative Difficulty for Transitioning Students | All materials geared to C02 | Students migrating from C02 may find gaps around new services or newly emphasized topics | Many materials (courses, practice exams) have been updated or flagged to include “C02 + C03 content” to bridge the gap. |
Implications for Exam Preparation
Given these changes, here’s how to adapt your study strategy:
- Don’t abandon your C02 materials
Since much of the syllabus remains the same, courses, labs, and practice exams for C02 are still valuable as a foundation. - Supplement with updated content
Add modules or sections specifically covering the new or re‑weighted topics especially security, newer AWS services, and architecture blueprints. - Use the official SAA‑C03 exam guide
The blueprint is more granular now. Use it to cross-check that every topic you study is currently in scope. - Prioritize security & cost optimization
Since those domains have increased weight, don’t treat them as secondary. Be strong in IAM, encryption, VPC security, logging, monitoring, and cost‑control techniques. - Practice integrated, scenario-based questions
The exam still tests real-world decision-making be ready to combine services, think trade-offs, and choose the “best fit” solution. - Stay current with AWS updates
The newer exam expects awareness of recent service launches or enhancements. Follow AWS announcements, release notes, and updates to keep your knowledge fresh.
Conclusion.
The transition from AWS SAA-C02 to SAA-C03 is not a complete overhaul but rather a thoughtful update that reflects the growing complexity and maturity of AWS cloud architecture. While the core principles of designing scalable, resilient, and cost-effective systems remain, SAA-C03 places stronger emphasis on security, operational excellence, and modern cloud patterns, including hybrid architectures and serverless solutions.
If you’ve already studied for SAA-C02, don’t panic your existing knowledge is still highly relevant. Most of your study resources, especially those covering foundational services like EC2, S3, RDS, IAM, and VPC, will carry over. However, you will need to fill in the gaps by focusing on:
- Updated domain weightings (especially security and cost optimization),
- Newly included services (like AWS Backup, Global Accelerator, and AWS DataSync),
- And architectural best practices aligned with the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
For those starting fresh with SAA-C03, this is a great opportunity to build your skills with the most current version of the exam. Focus on real-world scenarios, hands-on labs, and services integration not just isolated facts. The exam wants you to think like a cloud architect, not just a memorizer of features.
In the end, whether you studied under C02 or are preparing for C03, the goal remains the same: to build a strong understanding of how to design reliable, secure, and scalable systems on AWS. Keep learning, stay hands-on, and use the official exam guide as your north star.
Good luck on your certification journey and remember: the cloud is always evolving, and so should you.