Becoming an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator is a significant milestone for IT professionals aiming to excel in cloud computing. This certification validates your ability to deploy, manage, and operate workloads on AWS while ensuring security, compliance, and cost efficiency. To help you succeed, we have compiled a list of the top study resources, including official AWS materials, online courses, books, hands-on labs, and community AWS certified SysOps administrator.
1. AWS Official Training and Documentation
AWS Training Courses
AWS offers official training courses designed to prepare you for the SysOps Administrator exam. These include:
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Training Course: A comprehensive course covering key topics such as monitoring, logging, security, and networking.
- AWS Technical Essentials: A beginner-friendly course that provides an overview of AWS services.
- System Operations on AWS: Focuses on automation, networking, and troubleshooting AWS environments.
AWS Documentation and Whitepapers
AWS provides extensive documentation and whitepapers to help you understand best practices and architectures. Some essential resources include:
- AWS Well-Architected Framework
- AWS Security Best Practices
- AWS Operational Excellence Whitepaper
- AWS Billing and Cost Management
Reading these materials will deepen your understanding of AWS operations and security principles.
2. Online Courses and Tutorials
Udemy
Udemy offers a variety of affordable and high-quality courses for AWS certifications. Some top-rated courses for the SysOps Administrator exam include:
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate 2023 by Stephane Maarek
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Practice Exams by Jon Bonso
A Cloud Guru
A Cloud Guru provides engaging and interactive training courses for AWS certifications. Their AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate course includes video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on labs to reinforce learning.
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning
- AWS Fundamentals Specialization (Coursera)
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Course (LinkedIn Learning)
Both platforms offer structured courses with expert-led instruction, making them excellent resources for exam preparation.
3. Hands-on Practice and Labs
AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier allows you to experiment with AWS services at no cost, giving you hands-on experience with EC2, S3, RDS, and more.
AWS Skill Builder
AWS Skill Builder offers interactive labs and exercises tailored to the SysOps Administrator exam.
Linux Academy (now part of A Cloud Guru)
Linux Academy provides hands-on labs, sandbox environments, and real-world scenarios to practice AWS administration skills effectively.
4. Practice Exams and Mock Tests
AWS Official Practice Exams
AWS offers official practice exams to help you assess your readiness. Taking these tests familiarizes you with the exam format and question types.
Whizlabs
Whizlabs provides high-quality practice tests and detailed explanations to help reinforce key concepts.
Tutorials Dojo
Jon Bonso’s Tutorials Dojo practice exams are widely recognized as one of the best resources for AWS certification preparation. They closely mimic the actual exam and offer thorough explanations.
5. Books and Study Guides
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate Study Guide by Brett McLaughlin
This book provides a detailed breakdown of exam topics, practical examples, and review questions.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Exam Guide by Ben Piper and David Clinton
A well-structured guide covering all exam domains, with real-world case studies to enhance understanding.
6. AWS Community and Discussion Forums
AWS Discussion Forums
Participating in AWS discussion forums allows you to engage with other candidates, ask questions, and share insights.
Reddit and LinkedIn Groups
Subreddits like r/aws and r/AWSCertifications provide valuable discussions and study tips. LinkedIn groups also offer networking opportunities with AWS professionals.
Slack and Discord AWS Communities
Joining Slack and Discord communities dedicated to AWS certification can provide real-time support and study groups.
7. YouTube Channels and Podcasts
YouTube Channels
- AWS Training and Certification: Official AWS channel with webinars and tutorials.
- freeCodeCamp.org: Offers detailed AWS tutorials for beginners and advanced users.
- Tech With Lucy & Andrew Brown: Provides excellent AWS certification preparation content.
Podcasts
- AWS Podcast: Official AWS podcast covering latest updates and best practices.
- Screaming in the Cloud: Insights from AWS professionals and cloud engineers.
8. Creating a Study Plan
A structured study plan will help you cover all necessary topics before the exam. Follow these steps:
- Set a Timeline: Allocate 6-8 weeks for preparation, depending on your experience.
- Use Multiple Resources: Combine official AWS materials with online courses and practice exams.
- Gain Hands-on Experience: Use AWS Free Tier and labs to practice real-world scenarios.
- Take Practice Tests: Assess your knowledge and improve weak areas.
- Engage with the Community: Join forums and study groups for support and motivation.
Conclusion
Success in the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator exam requires a combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice, and consistent study. By leveraging the resources mentioned in this guide—official AWS training, online courses, practice exams, hands-on labs, books, and community support—you can confidently prepare for the exam and advance your career in cloud computing. Stay committed, practice regularly, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator.
