Yesterday marked a significant milestone in my career journey – I successfully passed the Aws Certified Machine Learning Specialty certification exam! Achieving a score of approximately 860 out of 1000, with the passing score being 750, was incredibly rewarding after dedicating about two months to preparation, investing 8-10 hours each week. For anyone looking to validate their machine learning skills in the AWS ecosystem, this certification is a fantastic benchmark. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the resources and strategies I employed to conquer this exam, providing a roadmap for your own success in achieving the AWS Certified Machine Learning credential.
Key Resources for AWS Certified Machine Learning Exam Preparation
To effectively prepare for the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty exam, a combination of practice and comprehensive learning is crucial. My study plan incorporated several key resources that proved invaluable in my success.
Practice Exams: Validating Knowledge and Identifying Gaps
Practice exams are essential to gauge your understanding and identify areas needing more focus. I utilized two primary platforms: AWS Skillbuilder and Tutorials Dojo. The practice exams offered by AWS Skillbuilder (https://lnkd.in/eqgefjyf) are a solid starting point, providing an AWS-centric perspective. However, for a more exam-like experience and challenging questions, the Tutorials Dojo Practice Exams by Jon Bonso (https://lnkd.in/e7ChTbSH) are highly recommended. The Tutorials Dojo exams were instrumental in my preparation; consistently scoring around 70-75% on these exams gave me confidence heading into the actual certification test.
Comprehensive Course: Building a Strong ML Foundation
For individuals who are relatively new to the machine learning domain, a comprehensive course is indispensable. In my opinion, the courses offered by Stéphane Maarek and Frank Kane on Udemy (https://lnkd.in/ePYwCVZX) stand out as exceptional resources. While numerous other courses are available, Stéphane’s teaching style and content structure were particularly effective for me in grasping complex machine learning concepts within the AWS context. This course provided the foundational knowledge necessary to tackle the exam content.
Study Guides: Reinforcing Concepts and Quick Review
Study guides are incredibly useful for consolidating information and quick reviews, especially closer to the exam date. I regularly used the PDF deck that accompanied the Udemy course, which served as a concise summary of the video lectures. Additionally, the Tutorials Dojo Exam Guide (https://lnkd.in/ekdZsz5r) provided another valuable perspective and directed me to relevant AWS Skillbuilder trainings for specific services and concepts. These study guides acted as my “note cards,” enabling efficient review and reinforcement of key topics.
AI Assistant: Your Secret Weapon for Clarifications and Examples
An often-underestimated resource is an AI assistant. Partyrock.aws (http://Partyrock.aws) became my secret weapon throughout my study process. Having an AI assistant readily available to answer my questions, provide illustrative code examples, and break down complex concepts into simpler terms was a game-changer. It not only provided immediate answers but also fostered a habit of seeking AI-driven solutions when encountering roadblocks, a valuable skill in the rapidly evolving field of machine learning.
Study Schedule for AWS Certified Machine Learning
My study schedule was structured over two months. The first month was dedicated to immersing myself in the Udemy training videos. This phase focused on building a solid understanding of data science fundamentals and gaining hands-on experience where possible. The second month shifted towards intensive practice and review. This involved consistently taking practice exams and revisiting study guides to solidify my knowledge base. Entering the exam, I anticipated a borderline pass, so achieving a significantly higher score was a pleasant surprise, highlighting the effectiveness of this preparation strategy.
Final Thoughts on the AWS Certified Machine Learning Journey
Passing the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty exam feels like the beginning of my deeper exploration into the world of AI and ML. While the certification process involved a concentrated period of knowledge acquisition, practical, hands-on experience remains crucial to truly becoming proficient as an ML engineer. This certification is, however, an ideal stepping stone for individuals with a strong AWS background aiming to specialize in machine learning. It offers a comprehensive introduction to the breadth of AWS ML services and best practices.
If you have any questions about my preparation journey or anything I might have missed, feel free to reach out!
