To know whether a certain course or exam is right for you, there are two things to consider:
- Whether there are any prerequisites you must complete in order to sit an exam (permission).
- Whether you have the necessary background knowledge to understand a course or study for an exam (ability).
Permission
Rules about who can sit an exam are controlled by the vendor. Before you start studying for an exam, check the vendor’s website to see if there are any prerequisites.
Ability
The minimum competency to successfully complete a course and pass an exam is something that we feel strongly about. We're invested in our learners' success, and we don't want them to fail because they are unprepared.
As you decide where to start, consider the following:
- Most of our courses are designed to help practicing IT engineers and developers learn to use cloud vendor services. That doesn't mean that someone without an IT background can't attempt them, but they'll need to work hard to fill in the missing background to be successful. IT practitioners should be able to jump into the associate-level courses. If you're coming from a different background, find a learning path to help you quickly lift your skills to a point where you can follow and learn as you go.
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Cloud certifications are hierarchical, and courses are designed to be completed from least to most advanced. To effectively study a course designated as professional, specialty, expert, or advanced, general industry skills may not be enough—you need skill and experience with the vendor’s services at an associate level. In general, it’s faster and more productive to begin learning at the associate level and then work your way up. Attempting an advanced course before learning the fundamentals is not recommended.
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Some courses include practice exams. If you’re not sure whether you’re ready for an advanced course, take the practice exam for the previous level to get a better idea of your skill level. If you’re not confident in your score, go back and complete the previous course first.