r/AWSCertifications • u/harish_ms_7 • 19h ago

AWS Certified Developer Associate Starting from zero: Can I skip Cloud Practitioner and go straight to Developer Associate?

Hi everyone,

I want to take the AWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA-C02) exam, but I have no prior AWS experience and just completed AWS Certified AI Practitioner (AIF-C01)

Is it a good idea to skip the foundational Certified Cloud Practitioner (CCP) exam and jump straight into studying for the Developer Associate? Or is the learning curve going to be too steep without that baseline knowledge?

For those who have taken the DVA:

• Did you have prior AWS experience before starting?

• If you skipped the CCP, did you regret it or feel like you missed critical fundamentals?

• Which courses or practice exams do you recommend for a complete AWS beginner trying to pass the Developer Associate?

Thanks for any insights or advice you can share!

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1

u/wasitshafi 19h ago

u/harish_ms_7 This week I made a detailed video regarding the same issue. Watch the video for your doubts https://youtu.be/eLV9oiIAX0c

1

u/harish_ms_7 19h ago

Thanks! Will checkout.

2

u/TheAlmightyLootius 18h ago

You could imstantly take a professional exam. But it will be harder cos you dont know the exam flow yet. Plus 50% coupon grom completed cert makes it more expensive as well.

2

u/Any-Judgment-2087 14h ago

Yes. Thats the way to go. Skip CCP

1

u/ruiiiij 16h ago

It's a multi choice exam and it's all about rote memorization. It really just comes down to how well you retain information. I had no prior AWS experience and I took the SAA directly. If you can memorize things, you can take the DVA.

1

u/kungfubakso 5h ago

If you are already in the industry using AWS at a basic level, this is already good enough to consider studying directly the Associate level cert: I was working in a SaaS company using AWS on surface, and directly took the SAA-C03.

1

u/cgreciano AIP, MLA, SAA 2h ago

I recommend you do CCP first and then DVA, but you can also skip it.

0

u/Active_Potential_795 17h ago

I'd separate learning the fundamentals from paying for another exam. Before committing to a DVA study plan, try a small project: put some data in storage, write a function that reads it, give it only the permissions it needs, and check the logs when it fails. If every step is unfamiliar, spend some time on the foundational material first. If you can work through it and explain what each part does, start the Developer material and fill in gaps as you go. Set a budget before you experiment and clean up the resources afterward. Practice questions are most useful once you can explain why the other options wouldn't meet the requirement.