What Is the Passing Score for the AWS SAA-C03 Exam?

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) certification stands as one of the most sought-after credentials in the cloud computing industry, representing a critical career milestone for aspiring and established technology professionals.¹ For candidates preparing to validate their skills in designing robust and efficient systems on Amazon Web Services, one fundamental question precedes all others: “What score is needed to pass?” Understanding this benchmark is the first step on the path to certification.

The minimum passing score for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) exam is 720, reported on a scaled score range of 100 to 1,000.⁴ This is not a raw score or a simple percentage of correct answers. AWS utilizes a “scaled scoring” model to ensure fairness across different versions of the exam, a concept that is crucial for candidates to understand in order to prepare effectively.

Knowing the target number of 720 is just the starting point. To truly prepare for success, a candidate must delve deeper into what this scaled score represents, how the exam is structured, what content is tested, and the most effective strategies to confidently exceed this benchmark. This report provides a comprehensive breakdown of the SAA-C03 exam, moving beyond the passing score to offer a complete guide for aspiring AWS Solutions Architects.

Blog Claim: While the target score is 720, true success on the SAA-C03 exam comes from a deep understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework and its application in real-world scenarios, not from trying to calculate the minimum number of correct answers needed to pass.

How Is the AWS SAA-C03 Exam Scored?

Many candidates preparing for the SAA-C03 exam fall into the trap of trying to convert the 720 passing score into a simple percentage, often assuming it equates to answering 72% of the questions correctly. This assumption is inaccurate and can be misleading due to the sophisticated scoring methodology employed by AWS.⁶ The official method, known as “scaled scoring,” is designed to ensure fairness, maintain the exam’s integrity, and hold every candidate to a consistent standard of competency, regardless of which specific set of questions they receive.⁵

The AWS SAA-C03 exam is scored on a scale of 100 to 1,000, with a minimum passing score of 720. This is a scaled score, not a raw percentage, meaning the number of correct answers needed to pass can vary slightly between different exam versions to account for variations in question difficulty.

The scoring system for AWS certifications is a direct reflection of the credential’s value and the measures taken to protect its integrity. AWS reports results as a scaled score from 100 to 1,000 to equate scores across multiple exam forms, which may have slight differences in difficulty.⁵ This robust system is a critical component of exam security, as it allows AWS to regularly rotate questions and introduce new content without invalidating the meaning of the passing score. This process ensures that the certification remains a trusted and valuable credential in the industry. The passing standard itself is established through a rigorous process known as the modified Angoff technique, where a panel of AWS content experts evaluates each question’s difficulty relative to a “minimally qualified candidate”.⁹ This consensus-driven approach determines the initial raw passing standard.

As AWS introduces new exam forms, a statistical process called “equating” is used to adjust the passing standard based on the difficulty of the new questions. This ensures that a score of 720 represents the same level of mastery, regardless of the specific exam form a candidate encounters. As the official AWS documentation notes, “correctly answering seven out of 10 easy questions does not indicate the same level of knowledge as correctly answering seven out of 10 difficult questions”.⁹

A crucial aspect of the scoring is the “compensatory model.” Candidates are not required to achieve a passing score in each individual domain or section of the exam.⁵ Only the overall score matters. This means a strong performance in a heavily weighted domain like “Design Secure Architectures” can offset a weaker performance in another area. This model encourages a holistic understanding of solutions architecture, rewarding deep expertise in key areas. For candidates who do not pass, the score report may include a table classifying performance by section to highlight strengths and weaknesses, offering valuable feedback for future study. Notably, candidates who pass the exam do not receive this detailed sectional breakdown.¹¹

Sub-heading claims: Understanding the “why” behind the scaled score—fairness, security, and a focus on overall competency—is more important than fixating on the number 720 itself.

What Is the Format and Structure of the SAA-C03 Exam?

Beyond the scoring model, a candidate’s success is heavily influenced by their familiarity with the exam’s practical format. Knowing what to expect in terms of timing, question count, and question styles can significantly reduce anxiety and enable better time management during the test. A clear understanding of the SAA-C03 exam’s blueprint, as defined by official AWS documentation, is a prerequisite for effective preparation.

The AWS SAA-C03 exam is a 130-minute test consisting of 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions. Of these, only 50 questions are scored, while 15 are unscored questions used by AWS for future exam development.

Candidates are allotted 130 minutes to complete the SAA-C03 exam, which contains a total of 65 questions.³ This structure provides an average of exactly two minutes per question, a critical metric for developing a sound time management strategy. However, a key detail is that only 50 of these questions are scored and contribute to the final result.¹⁰ The remaining 15 are unscored questions that AWS includes to gather performance data on new items before they are introduced into the pool of scored questions on future exams.¹² These unscored items are not identified during the test, so candidates must approach every question as if it counts toward their final score.¹⁰ There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered questions are marked as incorrect.¹¹

The presence of these 15 unscored questions can serve as a psychological test. Candidates often report encountering questions that seem unusually difficult or cover unfamiliar topics.¹³ Recognizing that such a question might be an unscored beta item can be a powerful tool to prevent panic and avoid wasting excessive time. The optimal strategy is to make an educated guess, flag the question for review if time permits, and move on.

The exam features two distinct question types ¹¹:

• Multiple Choice: Presents one correct response and three incorrect responses (known as distractors).
• Multiple Response: Presents two or more correct responses out of five or more options.

These questions are distributed across four knowledge domains, each with a specific weighting that indicates its importance on the exam. This weighting provides a strategic roadmap for allocating study time. Security and Resilience together account for 56% of the scored content, making them the most critical areas of focus.

(Data sourced from the official AWS Exam Guide ⁵)

The combination of a strict time limit and the complexity of multiple-response questions means that success depends on a fluid, conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization. There simply isn’t enough time to recall every isolated fact. This format favors candidates who can quickly analyze scenarios and eliminate incorrect options based on a deep understanding of architectural principles.

Sub-heading claims: Mastering the exam’s format and time constraints is a skill in itself, and understanding the purpose of unscored questions can be a key psychological advantage.

What Key Concepts and Services Should You Master to Pass?

Passing the SAA-C03 exam is not a test of knowing every single AWS service. Instead, it validates a candidate’s ability to use the right services to design effective, secure, and resilient solutions. The entire exam is built upon a foundational AWS philosophy: the AWS Well-Architected Framework.² Mastering this framework and the core services it governs is the key to success.

To pass the SAA-C03, you must master the principles of the AWS Well-Architected Framework and have a deep understanding of core services across compute (EC2, Lambda), storage (S3, EBS, EFS), databases (RDS, DynamoDB), networking (VPC, Route 53, ELB), and security (IAM, KMS).

The AWS Well-Architected Framework is the conceptual backbone of the SAA-C03 exam.² It is a collection of best practices developed by AWS to guide cloud architects in building infrastructure that is secure, high-performing, resilient, and efficient.¹⁶ For many of the exam’s scenario-based questions, which often present multiple technically plausible options, the “best” answer is the one that most closely aligns with the principles of this framework. It serves as a “decoder ring,” providing the criteria needed to evaluate options based on the six pillars: Operational Excellence, Security, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, Cost Optimization, and Sustainability.¹⁶ Studying the official whitepapers for this framework is not supplementary reading; it is a primary study task that teaches the

why behind architectural decisions.¹⁷

While the framework provides the philosophy, practical application requires deep knowledge of core AWS services. Based on official guides and the experience of certified professionals, candidates should focus on the following areas:

• Compute: A thorough understanding of Amazon EC2 (including instance types and Auto Scaling), AWS Lambda for serverless applications, and container services like Amazon ECS is essential.²
• Storage: Mastery of Amazon S3 (including storage classes, lifecycle policies, and security), Amazon EBS (volume types), and Amazon EFS is required. Candidates must know the distinct use cases for each.²
• Networking & Content Delivery: Deep knowledge of Amazon VPC is non-negotiable, including subnets, security groups vs. network ACLs, and NAT Gateways. Services like Amazon Route 53, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), and Amazon CloudFront are also critical.²
• Databases: Candidates must understand the differences between relational and non-relational databases on AWS, focusing on Amazon RDS (especially Multi-AZ and read replicas), Amazon Aurora, and Amazon DynamoDB.²
• Security, Identity & Compliance: This is the most heavily weighted domain. Expertise in AWS IAM (users, roles, policies, MFA) is paramount, along with services like AWS Shield and AWS Key Management Service (KMS).¹¹
• Management & Governance: Familiarity with monitoring and logging services like Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Config is expected.²
• Application Integration: Understanding the distinction and use cases for Amazon SQS and Amazon SNS is a classic exam topic.²

The exam frequently tests the ability to choose the optimal service from a group of similar alternatives. Candidates must be prepared to answer questions that require comparing services like AWS DataSync vs. AWS Storage Gateway or a NAT Gateway vs. a NAT Instance.² Furthermore, the SAA-C03 reflects a shift towards modern, cloud-native architectures. Relying solely on knowledge of traditional virtual machines (EC2) is insufficient. The exam actively tests a candidate’s ability to design solutions using serverless (Lambda), containers (ECS), and Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation), reflecting the future-focused nature of the certification.¹¹

Sub-heading claims: True mastery for the SAA-C03 lies not in memorizing service limits, but in internalizing the AWS Well-Architected Framework and using it as a lens to select the right service for the right job.

What Are the Most Effective Study Resources and Strategies?

With a clear understanding of the exam’s scoring, format, and content, the final piece of the puzzle is a proven study plan. While AWS offers official preparation materials, the cloud certification community has, through collective experience, established a clear consensus on the third-party resources and strategies that consistently lead to success. This section synthesizes the experiences of thousands of certified professionals to provide an actionable guide to preparing for the SAA-C03 exam.

An effective study strategy for the SAA-C03 involves a multi-pronged approach: building foundational knowledge with a high-quality video course (like Stephane Maarek’s), reinforcing concepts with hands-on labs, and rigorously testing your knowledge with reputable practice exams (like Tutorials Dojo) until you consistently score above 80-90%.

A clear, de facto study path has been established by the community through collective trial and error. Following this community-vetted “golden path” is a high-probability strategy for success.

Phase 1: Foundational Learning (Video Courses)

The journey typically begins with a comprehensive video course. Across countless testimonials, Stephane Maarek’s “Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate” course on Udemy is overwhelmingly cited as concise, thorough, and highly effective for building the necessary knowledge base.13 For those seeking a deeper, more hands-on approach, Adrian Cantrill’s course is another highly regarded alternative.14

Phase 2: Reinforcement (Hands-On Labs and Official Documentation)

Passive learning is not enough. The SAA-C03 exam tests practical application, making hands-on experience essential.1 Candidates should leverage the AWS Free Tier to build projects and experiment with the core services covered in their video course.20 This practical work should be supplemented with official AWS documentation, particularly the whitepapers on the Well-Architected Framework and service-specific FAQs, to fill any knowledge gaps.2

Phase 3: Rigorous Testing (Practice Exams)

This is arguably the most critical phase for assessing exam readiness. The community’s strongest recommendation is for the practice exams from Tutorials Dojo (created by Jon Bonso). These are widely praised for their similarity to the real exam in question style, difficulty, and, most importantly, their detailed explanations.14 The true value of these exams lies not in the score itself, but in the learning process that follows. The most effective study method is to take the tests in “review mode” and meticulously analyze the explanation for every single question—both those answered correctly and incorrectly.13 This iterative loop of testing, diagnosing weaknesses, and remediating with further study is the engine of effective preparation. Many successful candidates aim to consistently score in the 80-90% range on these practice tests before scheduling their actual exam.20

Phase 4: Final Review and Exam Day

In the final days before the exam, the focus should shift from learning new material to consolidating existing knowledge. Reviewing personal notes and cheat sheets (such as those provided by Tutorials Dojo) is more effective than last-minute cramming.13 Finally, being well-rested and approaching the exam with a calm, confident mindset is a crucial, often overlooked, component of success.13

Sub-heading claims: The path to passing the SAA-C03 is well-trodden; success lies in leveraging the community-approved “golden path” of resources and adopting a rigorous cycle of testing and reviewing.

Conclusion

The journey to achieving the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate certification culminates in a single number, yet the process is far more nuanced than simply aiming for a score of 720. The passing standard is a scaled score, a product of a sophisticated system designed to ensure fairness and uphold the high value of the credential. The exam itself, with its scenario-based questions and emphasis on the AWS Well-Architected Framework, is a test of practical, architectural decision-making, not rote memorization.

True success is achieved not by trying to game the score but by genuinely learning how to design secure, resilient, high-performing, and cost-effective solutions on the AWS platform. The certification is a validation of this critical, real-world skill. By following the structured preparation plan outlined—leveraging community-vetted resources, engaging in hands-on practice, and adopting a rigorous cycle of testing and review—candidates can build both the knowledge and the confidence needed to pass. With consistent effort and a strategic approach, aspiring architects can successfully clear this milestone and advance their careers in cloud computing.

External links recommendations

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) Official Exam Guide: The definitive source for exam domains, objectives, and policies.⁵
2. AWS Well-Architected Framework – Official Whitepaper: Essential reading to understand the core principles and best practices that form the foundation of the exam.¹⁶
3. AWS Skill Builder – Exam Prep Plan for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate: The official AWS portal for free and paid training resources, including practice questions and digital courses.³
4. AWS Certification Policies – After Testing: The official page providing a detailed explanation of the scaled scoring methodology.⁹
5. AWS Certification Official Page: The main hub for all AWS certification information, including exam scheduling, pricing, and frequently asked questions.³

Reference links:

1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate – SAA C03 – Whizlabs, https://www.whizlabs.com/aws-solutions-architect-associate/
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3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate,https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-associate/
4. medcerts.com,https://medcerts.com/blog/how-to-pass-aws-csaa-saa-c03
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12. AWS re:Invent 2020: AWS Certification Explainer: Exam Scoring – YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPaVXB6uFCI
13. How I Passed the AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam on My First Attempt with 870 Score | by Shivakumar Sudanapelly | Medium, https://medium.com/@shivudu.s/how-i-passed-the-aws-solutions-architect-associate-exam-on-my-first-attempt-with-870-score-b251bf8614b4
14. From Zero to SAA-C03 Certified: How I Passed the AWS Certification on My First Attempt, https://dev.to/iamdete/from-zero-to-saa-c03-certified-how-i-passed-the-aws-certification-on-my-first-attempt-20m6
15. Understanding the AWS Certified Solutions Architect SAA-C03 Exam, https://www.exam-labs.com/blog/understanding-the-aws-certified-solutions-architect-saa-c03-exam
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17. ARCHIVED: AWS Well-Architected Framework – Awsstatic, https://d0.awsstatic.com/whitepapers/architecture/AWS_Well-Architected_Framework.pdf
18. AWS Well-Architected Framework, https://docs.aws.amazon.com/wellarchitected/latest/framework/welcome.html
19. Amazon AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C03 Actual Exam Questions, https://www.examtopics.com/exams/amazon/aws-certified-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03/view/
20. AWS SAA-C03 30-Day Learning Plan Using Stephane Maarek’s Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate Course – DEV Community, https://dev.to/franciscojeg78/aws-saa-c03-30-day-learning-plan-using-stephane-maareks-ultimate-aws-certified-solutions-architect-17j3
21. Passed AWS SAA-C03 in 1.5 Months of Prep Thanks to Stephane Maarek’s Course! : r/AWSCertifications – Reddit,https://www.reddit.com/r/AWSCertifications/comments/1i5pwpk/passed_aws_saac03_in_15_months_of_prep_thanks_to/
22. How I passed AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) | by Sam Gatambia | Medium, https://medium.com/@gatambiasam/how-i-passed-aws-solutions-architect-associate-saa-c03-b167826251c9
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26. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-professional/
27. AWS Certification FAQs, accessed August 25, 2025, https://aws.amazon.com/certification/faqs/

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