How To Pass AWS Certified Database – Specialty Exam


As more and more businesses and organizations are moving their operations to the cloud, the demand for cloud-based database management solutions is growing rapidly. 

Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides a wide range of database management services, such as Amazon RDS, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Aurora, and Amazon DocumentDB, that enable businesses to store and analyze vast amounts of data in a cost-effective, scalable, and secure manner.

To meet the growing demand for professionals who can design, implement, and manage cloud-based database solutions effectively, AWS has introduced the AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam. 

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about this certification exam, so let’s get started!

What is the AWS Certified Database – Specialty Exam?

The AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam is ideal for individuals who work with databases, data architecture, or data analysis, and who are looking to expand their skills in the field of cloud-based database management.

By passing this exam, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in AWS database services and differentiate themselves in a competitive job market.

What are the prerequisites?

  • To prepare for the AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam, it is important to have a deep understanding of AWS database services and their features, capabilities, and use cases. 

  • You should also be familiar with database design and management principles, such as normalization, indexing, and partitioning. 

  • Additionally, you should have experience with database performance optimization, troubleshooting, and backup and recovery strategies.

What are the benefits?

By passing the AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam, you can validate your skills and knowledge of AWS database services and demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage cloud-based database solutions effectively.

This certification can also help you advance your career in the field of cloud-based database management and open up new opportunities for professional growth

AWS Certified Database – Specialty Exam overview:

The AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam is a certification exam designed to test an individual's knowledge of AWS database services and their ability to design, implement, and manage database solutions in a cloud-based environment.

Here is the exam overview for AWS Certified Database - Specialty exam:

  • The Level of Exam: Specialty

  •  Length: 180 minutes to complete the exam

  •  Cost: 300 USD

  • Format: 65 questions; either multiple choice or multiple responses.

  • Delivery method: Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam.

  • Exam results: Pass or Fail. Your results for the exam are reported as a scaled score of 100–1,000. The minimum passing score is 750

  • Validity: AWS certifications are valid for three years.

Who should take the AWS Certified Database – Specialty exam?

AWS Certified Database – Specialty is intended for individuals with experience and expertise working with on-premises and AWS Cloud-based relational and non-relational databases. Before you take this exam, we recommend you have:

  • Five years of experience with common database technologies.

  • Two years of hands-on experience and expertise working with on-premises and AWS Cloud-based relational and NoSQL databases.

  • Ability to understand and differentiate the key features of AWS database services.

  • Ability to analyze needs and requirements to design and recommend appropriate database solutions by using AWS services.

AWS Certified Database – Specialty Exam Content Outline:

The following table lists the main content domains and their weightings.

Domain

% of exam

Domain 1: Workload-Specific Database Design

26%

Domain 2: Deployment and Migration

20%

Domain 3: Management and Operations

18%

Domain 4: Monitoring and Troubleshooting

18%

Domain 5: Database Security

18%

total

100%

Core AWS Services to focus on for the DBS-C01 Exam:

The AWS Database Specialty Certification covers a range of topics related to database management on the AWS platform. Here are some of the key areas that the exam tests:

1. Amazon RDS and Aurora

  • High Availability (Multi-AZ and Replica)

  • Database Engines (MySQL, MariaDB, Microsoft, Oracle, PostgreSQL)

  • Deployment & Connection Management

  • DB Cluster/Instance Management

  • Scaling (Storage, Compute, Read)

  • Network Management (VPC, Security Groups, DB Subnet Groups)

  • Aurora Serverless

  • Aurora Backtrack

  • Aurora Multi-Master

  • Amazon Aurora Global Databases

  • Cross-Region Replication

  • Migration strategies (e.g. Snowball Edge)

  • Best Practices

2. Amazon DynamoDB

  • Architecture

  • Deployment & Connection Management

  • Scaling (RCU, WCU)

  • DynamoDB Global Tables

  • Cross-Region Replication

  • On-demand Backup and Restore

  • DynamoDB Streams

  • DynamoDB Accelerator

  • Contributor Insights

  • Data Protection

  • Audit

  • Integration with AWS Services

  • Migration strategies

  • Best Practices

3. AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)

  • Architecture

  • Deployment

  • Migration Assessments

  • Migration Task Settings

  • Integration with AWS Schema Conversion Tool.

4. AWS Automation

  • CloudFormation Templates

  • Integration with AWS Services (e.g. Secrets Manager, Systems Manager)

5. Amazon Redshift

  • Architecture

  • Deployment & Connection Management

  • Cluster Management

  • Scaling Cross-Region Replication

  • Workload Management

  • Redshift Spectrum

  • Data Protection

  • Audit

  • Integration with AWS Services

  • Migration strategies

  • Best Practices

6. Amazon DocumentDB (with MongoDB compatibility)

  • Architecture

  • Deployment

  • Migration Best Practices

  • Monitoring

  • Security Best Practices

7. Amazon Neptune

  • Architecture

  • Deployment

  • Migration Best Practices

  • Monitoring

  • Security Best Practices

8. Amazon ElastiCache (Redis and Memcached)

  • Architecture

  • Deployment

  • Migration Best Practices

  • Monitoring

  • Security Best Practices

9. Amazon QLDB

  • Architecture

  • Deployment

  • Migration Best Practices

How to Prepare for AWS Database Specialty Certification?

To prepare for the AWS Database Specialty Certification, there are numerous tutorial materials available on various platforms like Udemy, WhizLabs, A Cloud Guru, Coursera, and edX.

These resources offer comprehensive coverage of the key concepts and skills required to pass the exam, including video lectures, quizzes, and practice exams. 

Udemy Course | [NEW] Ultimate AWS Certified Database Specialty 2023

One highly recommended Udemy course for this certification is the "AWS Certified Database - Specialty Exam" course, which is taught by industry experts and covers all the essential concepts related to AWS databases. 

With Udemy's user-friendly interface and convenient access to practice exams, this course can be a great asset in your preparation for the AWS Database Specialty Certification.

Course Overview

  •  This course in Udemy and the instructor is Stephane Maarek and Riyaz Sayyad.

  • 17.5 hours on-demand video.

  • It covers in-depth all the topics on the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam.

  • It's packed with practical knowledge on how to use AWS databases inside and out.

  • It teaches you how to prepare for the AWS exam.

  • All 550+ slides available as downloadable PDF

Udemy Practice Exam | AWS Certified Database Specialty Practice Exams

These AWS Certified Database Specialty practice exams are designed to focus on the critical exam domains such as Workload-Specific Database Design and Deployment and Migration, so that you can get the most out of your study time. 

The number of questions for each topic has been carefully selected based on the official AWS DBS exam guide. These practice tests provided by Udemy will provide you with a comprehensive and effective way to prepare for the AWS Certified Database Specialty exam.

Practice Exam Overview

  • 100 Questions with 1 Full Test and 5 Domain-based Tests.
  • Stimulates the latest AWS Certified Database Specialty exam to help you prepare and even ace the AWS exam!
  • Detailed explanations along with complete reference links so you can check and verify yourself that the answers are correct.
  • A complete exam study guide based on intense research on the most important topics to help you pass the exam.
  • Q&A board to gives you the opportunity to know which topics recently appeared on the exam.

How to register for the exam

Here are the steps to register for the AWS Database Specialty Certification exam·

  1. 1

    Visit the AWS Certification website at https://aws.amazon.com/certification/

  2. 2

    Click on the "Certification Account" button in the top right corner of the page.

  3. 3

    If you already have an AWS Certification account, enter your login details to access your account. If you do not have an account, click on the "Create an Account" button to create one.

  4. 4

    Once you are logged in to your certification account, select the "AWS Certification Account" tab, and then click on the "Schedule New Exam" button.

  5. 5

    On the "Schedule Exam" page, select the "AWS Certified Database - Specialty" exam from the list of available exams.

  6. 6

    Choose the "At a testing center or online" option and then click "Next".

  7. 7

    Select the online proctoring option to take the exam from your home or office.

  8. 8

    Choose a date and time for your exam.

  9. 9

    Review and confirm your exam details, and then proceed to payment.

  10. 10

    After completing the payment process, you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your exam appointment.

  11. 11

    Before the exam, ensure that your computer meets the technical requirements for online proctoring.

  12. 12

    On the day of your exam, login to your certification account, and launch the exam by following the instructions provided.

 By following these steps, you can register for the AWS Database Specialty Certification exam, including the online at home or office option, and start your journey towards becoming a certified AWS database specialist.

Here are some tips for the day before and during the exam:

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind for the AWS Database Specialty Certification exam before the exam:

  • Download the OnVUE program and test your computer's microphone, camera, and internet connection in advance to ensure you are ready for the online proctored exam.

  • Make sure you have a valid ID ready before the exam as you will need to present it for check-in.

  • Be ready to start the exam 30 minutes before the scheduled time to allow time for the check-in process.

  • Don't panic if the proctor doesn't appear immediately as it can take up to 20 minutes to connect. Be patient and wait.

  • Don't get stuck on difficult questions. Flag them and move on to the next one, you can always come back to it later.

Final Words

Overall, the AWS Database Specialty Certification exam is a challenging but rewarding certification that can help database professionals take their careers to the next level.

With the right preparation and dedication, anyone can pass the exam and become an AWS Certified Database Specialist.

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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