Question 1

What is the AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate certification?

Accepted Answer

The AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01) certification validates your ability to implement and maintain data pipelines on AWS. It's designed for data engineers with 2-3 years of experience who can design scalable data solutions, implement ETL/ELT transformations, manage data stores, and apply data security and governance practices. This certification demonstrates your expertise in using AWS services like AWS Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, S3, DynamoDB, Redshift, and others.

Question 2

How many questions are on the DEA-C01 exam?

Accepted Answer

The DEA-C01 exam contains 65 questions total. However, 15 of these are unscored questions that AWS uses to evaluate potential future exam questions. Only the 50 scored questions count toward your final score. The exam includes both multiple-choice questions (one correct answer) and multiple-response questions (two or more correct answers).

Question 3

What is the passing score and exam format?

Accepted Answer

The DEA-C01 exam is scored on a scale of 100-1000, with a minimum passing score of 720. You'll have 130 minutes (2 hours and 10 minutes) to complete all 65 questions. The exam uses multiple-choice and multiple-response formats, so some questions require you to select multiple correct answers. You cannot pause the exam once it begins.

Question 4

What topics are covered in the DEA-C01 exam?

Accepted Answer

The exam covers four main domains: (1) Data Ingestion and Transformation (34%) - ingesting data, transforming and processing data, orchestrating pipelines, and applying programming concepts; (2) Data Store Management (26%) - choosing appropriate data stores, data cataloging, lifecycle management, and schema design; (3) Data Operations and Support (22%) - automating data processing, analyzing data, maintaining pipelines, and ensuring data quality; (4) Data Security and Governance (18%) - authentication, authorization, encryption, data masking, auditing, and privacy compliance.

Question 5

How long is the AWS Data Engineer certification valid?

Accepted Answer

AWS Certifications are valid for 3 years from the date you pass the exam. After 3 years, you'll need to recertify by either retaking the exam or passing an associated recertification exam if one is available. AWS regularly updates exams and may release new versions (for example, DVA-C02 replaced DVA-C01), so staying current with exam versions is important.

Question 6

What experience level should I have before taking DEA-C01?

Accepted Answer

AWS recommends having at least 2-3 years of experience in data engineering or data architecture roles before attempting the DEA-C01 exam. You should have hands-on experience with AWS services, understand data pipeline concepts, be familiar with ETL/ELT processes, and have practical knowledge of SQL and at least one programming language like Python or Java. Understanding of distributed data processing and cloud concepts is essential.

Question 7

Can I use reference materials during the exam?

Accepted Answer

No, the DEA-C01 exam is closed-book. You are not allowed to use external reference materials, notes, or access to the internet during the exam. The exam is proctored and monitored to ensure exam integrity. You'll have access only to the exam questions and a basic on-screen calculator. All knowledge must come from your preparation and experience.

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01) Practice Exams

🔗Useful Links

AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01) Exam Guide

AWS Data Engineering on AWS - Official Course

AWS Data Engineering Learning Path

AWS Glue, Lambda, and Step Functions for Data Pipelines

💡Tips & Tricks

DEA-C01 Practice Questions

How Hard Is the AWS DEA-C01 Exam?

Free AWS Data Engineer Practice Exams