Introduction
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C01) exam has been a benchmark for professionals validating their expertise in deploying, managing, and operating workloads on Amazon Web Services (AWS). However, AWS has officially retired the SOA-C01 exam and replaced it with the updated SOA-C02 version.
This transition reflects AWS's commitment to keeping certifications aligned with evolving cloud technologies and industry demands. For candidates preparing for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate certification, understanding the changes between SOA-C01 and SOA-C02 is crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
- The reasons behind the SOA-C01 exam retirement
- Key differences between SOA-C01 and SOA-C02
- Updated exam domains and topics in SOA-C02
- Preparation strategies for the new exam
- Why DumpsArena is the best resource for AWS SysOps Administrator - Associate exam dumps?
Why Did AWS Retire the SOA-C01 Exam?
AWS regularly updates its SOA-C01 Exam Retirement certification exams to ensure they reflect the latest cloud technologies, best practices, and job roles. The SOA-C01 exam was based on older AWS services and operational practices, while SOA-C02 incorporates:
New AWS Services: Updated coverage of services like AWS Systems Manager, AWS Organizations, AWS Backup, and AWS CloudTrail Lake.
Enhanced Security Practices: Greater emphasis on security, compliance, and identity management using AWS IAM, AWS Config, and AWS Shield.
Automation & Monitoring: More focus on automation with AWS Lambda, AWS Step Functions, and improved monitoring using Amazon CloudWatch.
Cost Optimization: Updated strategies for cost management with AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets.
Since cloud technology evolves rapidly, AWS ensures that certified professionals stay relevant by updating exam content.
Key Differences Between SOA-C01 and SOA-C02
Exam Component |
SOA-C01 (Old) |
SOA-C02 (New) |
Exam Code |
SOA-C01 |
SOA-C02 |
Launch Date |
2018 |
2022 |
Retirement Date |
May 2023 |
Active |
Number of Questions |
65 |
65 |
Exam Duration |
130 minutes |
130 minutes |
Passing Score |
720/1000 |
720/1000 |
Question Types |
Multiple-choice, multiple-answer |
Multiple-choice, multiple-answer, scenario-based |
Focus Areas |
EC2, S3, VPC, CloudWatch |
Expanded automation, security, cost management |
Updated Exam Domains in SOA-C02
The SOA-C02 exam now includes five domains, with some modifications from SOA-C01:
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation (20%)
- Implement and manage monitoring solutions using Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, and AWS Config.
- Automate responses to incidents with AWS Lambda and EventBridge.
Reliability and Business Continuity (16%)
- Design high-availability architectures using Multi-AZ deployments, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing.
- Implement backup and disaster recovery strategies with AWS Backup and AWS Disaster Recovery.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation (18%)
- Automate deployments using AWS CloudFormation, AWS Systems Manager, and AWS OpsWorks.
- Manage infrastructure as code (IaC) with Terraform and AWS CDK.
Security and Compliance (16%)
- Apply security best practices with IAM, KMS, and AWS Shield.
- Ensure compliance using AWS Artifact, AWS Config, and AWS Security Hub.
Networking and Cost Optimization (30%)
- Configure VPC, Direct Connect, and VPN for hybrid cloud setups.
- Optimize costs using AWS Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets, and Reserved Instances.
How to Prepare for the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) Exam?
Review AWS Official Study Guide
AWS provides an exam guide outlining the key topics. Focus on:
- Hands-on experience with AWS services.
- AWS Whitepapers on security, architecture, and best practices.
Practice with Real Exam Questions
Since AWS exams are scenario-based, practicing with real exam questions is essential. DumpsArena provides:
- Latest AWS SOA-C02 exam dumps with verified answers.
- Simulated exams to test your knowledge.
- Detailed explanations for each question.
Schedule and Pass the Exam
- Book your exam via Pearson VUE (online or test center).
- Use AWS Free Tier for hands-on practice.
Why Choose DumpsArena for AWS SOA-C02 Exam Preparation?
If you're looking for authentic, up-to-date, and reliable AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate exam dumps, DumpsArena is the best choice because:
Latest Exam Questions: Updated regularly to match the SOA-C02 syllabus.
High Accuracy: Verified answers by AWS experts.
Detailed Explanations: Understand why an answer is correct.
Practice Tests: Simulate the real exam environment.
Money-Back Guarantee: Pass assured or get a refund.
Conclusion
The retirement of the SOA-C01 exam marks a shift toward more advanced cloud operations knowledge in SOA-C02. SOA-C01 Exam Retirement By focusing on automation, security, and cost optimization, AWS ensures that certified professionals stay ahead in cloud administration.
To pass the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate (SOA-C02) exam, combine hands-on practice, official AWS training, and reliable exam dumps from DumpsArena. With the right preparation, you can earn this valuable certification and boost your cloud career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is the SOA-C01 exam still available?
No, AWS retired the SOA-C01 exam in May 2023. Candidates must now take SOA-C02.
Q2. How difficult is the SOA-C02 compared to SOA-C01?
The SOA-C02 is more focused on automation and security, making it slightly more challenging.
Q3. Can I use SOA-C01 study materials for SOA-C02?
No, SOA-C02 has updated content. Use latest resources like DumpsArena’s SOA-C02 dumps.
Q4. How long is the AWS SysOps Administrator certification valid?
AWS certifications are valid for three years before requiring renewal.
Q5. Does DumpsArena offer free AWS exam dumps?
DumpsArena provides free samples, but full dumps require purchase for guaranteed accuracy.
Get Accurate & Authentic 500+ SOA-C01 Exam Questions
1. What does AWS notify you about when an EC2 instance is scheduled for retirement?
A. The instance will be terminated immediately.
B. The instance is degraded and will be retired within 7 days.
C. The underlying hardware is failing, and the instance must be migrated.
D. The instance will automatically be moved to new hardware.
2. Which AWS service allows you to set lifecycle policies to automatically transition objects to Glacier or expire them?
A. AWS EBS Snapshots
B. Amazon S3
C. AWS Storage Gateway
D. Amazon EFS
3. What happens when an EBS volume reaches its "end of life" due to wear-out?
A. AWS automatically migrates the data to a new volume.
B. The volume is marked as "retired" and becomes read-only.
C. The volume is deleted, and a snapshot is created.
D. AWS sends a notification recommending replacement.
4. Which action should you take if an EC2 instance is marked for retirement?
A. Terminate the instance and launch a new one.
B. Stop and start the instance (for non-EBS-backed instances).
C. Reboot the instance without stopping it.
D. Wait for AWS to automatically recover it.
5. What is the purpose of AWS’s "Deprecation Policy" for services or features?
A. To immediately remove outdated services without notice.
B. To provide advance notice before retiring a feature/service.
C. To automatically replace deprecated features with newer ones.
D. To charge extra for using deprecated services.