Introduction
I sat the current AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty (BDS) and the new beta AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty (DAS-C...
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Hi Tom,
Thanks for writing this post. I found it really interesting. I've been studying for the Big Data one, as I'm a solution Architect who focuses on the data side, and will be taking it in March or April.
I was wondering apart from using AWS and having hands on experience, is there any theory or docs on the theroy part that you used (there's no official study guide book)?
I've been focusing more on the theory around these services:
For collection (Kinesis streams/firehose), storage (S3/Dynamodb), processing (EMR/SageMaker/Lambda/Glue), Analysis (ES Kibana/Redshift/Athena), Visualization (Quicksight) and security (IAM/KMS/Cloudtrail).
Did you focus on more or any specific services in more detail?
Thanks for your insight.
Hi Lawrie,
I used the courses on Big Data Speciality preparation course on the acloud.guru/ site. There is a similar course on Linux Academy. To be honest, I couldn't imagine how you could pass the exam without the help of one these courses.
You have a good list there. In addition, the cloud guru and linux academy courses also cover off (SQS, IoT, Data Pipeline, AWS ML (multiclass v binary v regression models). I didn't get any questions myself on IoT or Data Pipeline but that doesn't mean you shouldn't study it.
Do you know that the Big Data exam will be closed off in April and replaced by the Data Analytics exam?
aws.amazon.com/blogs/big-data/high...
It may be worth waiting for this one and new courses to come online instead of pursuing the Big Data exam.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thanks a lot for your reply and helpful links.
Lawrie
Congratulations, this article is priceless and absolutely sure will help everyone with this tips. Thanks a lot!
A question for you:
When i see a question talking about application in "near real time" i can choose Kinesis Firehose or since the Kinesis Producer Library operates with "mini batches" it's also near real time?
Hi Marcel, delighted to hear it helps. That was my main reason for writing it.
A bit confused with your question. I think you're asking for the difference between Kinesis Firehose and Kinesis Data Streams. Either can be considered a near real time option. When you are discussing Kinesis Producer Library, it is used to put data on Kinesis Data Streams. Kinesis Client Library or Kinesis Firehose can then be used to consume data from the same stream. I don't believe you can use KPL with Kinesis Firehose.
Hi Tom,
I forgot to write after I took the exam in early May. So, I decided to go for the Big Data Specialty one and passed. I took it at home on Person Vue, because of the current situation. I realise now that I should of done what you done and also taken the Big Data Analytics one within 2 weeks, because I would've still been in exam mode.
What helped me was a couple of resources: Stefan's and Frank's course on udemy, acloudguru, aws faqs/ reinvent and aws online training videos, and the O'reilly online Big Data Specialty course by Noah Gift. And for the practice exams I used BrainCert, which was brilliant. Because the practice questions were really helpful.
What came up was: Redshift (no spectrum), Dynamodb/dax/streams, EMR, Kinesis streams/firehose (no kda), EMR, lambda, ES, QuickSight, S3 and kms/IAM.
(no glue, sagemaker, IoT, aml, datapipeline, or amazon msk.)
Thanks for this article Tom.
Does anyone use Python, SQL, Java, open source or only aws for the data pipelines?
And has anyone taken the AWS DB specialty, SA Pro or Security?
Good Luck All,
Lawrie
Hi Nick
B - there are no associate level exams related to data/data analysis but the Solutions Architect Associate exam would give you a very good understanding of AWS architectures underpinning Redshift, EMR and other Data services. You will learn about VPCs, IAM and S3 just to name a few
C - I was referring to any training resources your employer/university/other may have available. I am lucky in that my employer makes a number of training services available to us
D - I have never used Qwiklabs, only Pluralsight, LinuxAcademy, Cloudguru and AWS's own tutorials
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Nick, thanks for reading my article. Glad you found it helpful. In answer to your questions
1) I think if you study hard and complete the practise, you could pass. The practise is crucial. You need to get hands on with the services to ensure you pass
2) In relation to the materials, I think we will all have to wait a little longer. The AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty is being replaced in April 2020 with the AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty exam. I haven't not seen any materials from any of the normal vendors for the Data Analytics course yet.
aws.amazon.com/blogs/big-data/high....
If you have access to any of the vendors for free, run through the AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty courses. It will definitely help but it won't be enough for you to pass. Otherwise, concentrate on learning EMR, Redshift and AWS Glue and getting hands on with those. Do you have any other certifications that you are thinking of doing? It might be worth looking at one of Associate level exams before taking on the Speciality
If you have any more questions, just let me know
Tom
They recently extended the expiryation date for AWS Certified Big Data - Speciality exam to Jul 01, 2020. When you try to schedule that exam it shows the new expiration date
Any opinion if I should take the current exam before the expiration?
Yep, I think with the current situation, taking the Big Data - Speciality exam could make sense. Supporting materials for Data Analytics could be delayed now with the lockdown in place. Let me know how it goes for you.
Thanks,
Tom
Great post, found it quite detailed and thorough. Thanks for sharing your insights. Planning to give it a shot in the coming days!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I've found it very helpful.
Thanks Vitali, good to hear
Just got my results from AWS and I passed. Despite the current global situation, I can't help but be happy with that. Stay safe everyone and wash your hands
Congrats! Tom, since AWS Big Data Specialty certification is extended to July 1, 2020 would you recommend Big Data or Data Analytic Certification? In term of exam success.
Congratulations on passing exam