How to Pass AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam: Complete Step by Step Guide
By Braincuber Team
Published on April 4, 2026
What You'll Learn:
- What the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is and who should take it
- Complete breakdown of all 4 exam domains with weightings: Cloud Concepts, Security, Technology, Billing
- How to register and schedule the exam through Pearson VUE or PSI test centers
- Exam format details: 65 questions, 70% passing score, $100 USD cost
- Recommended study plan: 24 hours over 2 weeks with hands-on practice
- Free and paid resources including practice exams and video courses
Passing the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam is one of the first steps to a career in cloud development. This exam mostly deals with cloud computing concepts. Even if you are new to coding, you should be able to prepare for this exam and earn the AWS certification. This complete tutorial covers everything you need to know about the certification, exam structure, study strategies, and resources to help you pass. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this step by step guide will show you exactly how to prepare and succeed.
What is the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?
The Certified Cloud Practitioner is the entry-level AWS certification that goes through cloud fundamentals, AWS core services, identity and security, and billing and pricing. The course code is CLF-C01 (now updated to CLF-C02) but it is commonly referred to as the CCP.
Amazon Web Services is the leading Cloud Service Provider (CSP) in the world and the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the most common starting point for people breaking into the cloud industry. No matter your path towards a cloud role, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner provides fundamental knowledge that you should not skip.
Cloud Fundamentals
Covers Cloud Concepts, Cloud Architecture, and Cloud Deployment Models. Essential foundation for all AWS certifications.
AWS Core Services
A close look at the vast amount of AWS services including compute, storage, database, and networking.
Security and Governance
Identity, Security, and Governance of the Cloud. Covers IAM, compliance, and security best practices.
Billing and Pricing
Billing, Pricing, and Support of AWS Services. Understanding cost management and support plans.
Who Should Take the AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam?
Cloud Beginners
You are new to cloud and need to learn the fundamentals. This certification provides the foundational knowledge required for all future AWS certifications.
Executive and Management Roles
You are in the executive, management, or sales level and need to acquire strategic information about cloud for adoption or migration decisions.
Knowledge Refresh
You are a Senior Cloud Engineer or Solutions Architect who needs to reset or refresh your AWS knowledge after working for multiple years.
Exam Domains and Weightings
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is divided into 4 domains, each with their own weighting. The weighting determines the number of questions about that domain that will appear on the exam.
| Domain | Weighting | Approx. Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: Cloud Concepts | 26% | ~17 questions |
| Domain 2: Security and Compliance | 25% | ~16 questions |
| Domain 3: Technology | 33% | ~22 questions |
| Domain 4: Billing and Pricing | 16% | ~10 questions |
The official exam guide lists a very long list of possible services, technologies, and concepts that could appear on the exam. In actuality, only one third of the content that could appear will appear on the exam. This means you should focus on understanding core concepts deeply rather than trying to memorize every single AWS service.
How to Get Certified: Exam Registration and Format
AWS uses Pearson VUE and PSI test centers to deliver the exam. You can take the exam in-person at a testing center or online from your own location. If you want to schedule the exam with either testing method, you do that via the AWS Training Account certification portal.
| Exam Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | CLF-C02 (updated from CLF-C01) |
| Question Count | 65 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions |
| Passing Score | 70% (scaled score of 700 out of 1000) |
| Exam Cost | $100 USD |
| Delivery Methods | In-person at Pearson VUE/PSI test centers or online proctored |
| Certification Validity | 3 years from the date of passing |
Important: Exam Difficulty Has Increased
AWS has increased the difficulty of this exam. The second edition of the Cloud Practitioner course has three times more content than the 2019 version, and all previous content has been revised, expanded, and re-filmed. Make sure you are studying the most current exam guide.
Complete Study Plan: Step by Step Preparation
How much you need to study will vary, but on average it will require about 24 hours over 2 weeks to be prepared to successfully pass this AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Simply watching videos is not enough. Having hands-on experience and utilizing practice exams are essential if you want to pass the exam.
Phase 1: Foundation Learning (Days 1-5)
Watch Video Course - Cloud Concepts
Start with the free 13-hour AWS Cloud Practitioner course on freeCodeCamp's YouTube channel. Focus on Domain 1: Cloud Concepts covering cloud fundamentals, architecture, and deployment models.
Study Core AWS Services
Move to Domain 3: Technology which covers the vast amount of AWS services. This is the largest domain at 33% weighting. Focus on compute (EC2, Lambda), storage (S3, EBS), database (RDS, DynamoDB), and networking (VPC, Route 53).
Learn Security and Compliance
Study Domain 2: Security and Compliance (25% weighting). Understand IAM roles and policies, shared responsibility model, AWS security services, and compliance frameworks.
Master Billing and Pricing
Complete Domain 4: Billing and Pricing (16% weighting). Learn about AWS pricing models, Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets, billing alerts, and the different AWS support plans.
Phase 2: Hands-On Practice (Days 6-10)
Create Free AWS Account
Sign up for a free AWS account and explore the AWS Management Console. Navigate through the core services you studied to gain practical familiarity with the interface and service configurations.
Complete Hands-On Labs
Practice launching EC2 instances, creating S3 buckets, setting up IAM users and groups, and exploring the billing dashboard. Hands-on experience is essential for passing the exam.
Phase 3: Practice Exams (Days 11-14)
Take Free Practice Exam
Sign up on ExamPro to redeem a free practice exam with no credit card required. This will help you identify weak areas and get comfortable with the exam format and question styles.
Review Weak Areas and Retake
Review the domains where you scored lowest. Re-watch relevant video sections and take additional practice exams. Paid practice exams are available on ExamPro and other platforms to increase your chances of passing.
Exam Preparation Resources
| Resource | Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| freeCodeCamp YouTube Course | 13-hour video course covering all exam domains | Free |
| ExamPro Free Practice Exam | Full practice exam redeemable with no credit card | Free |
| ExamPro Paid Practice Exams | Multiple practice exams with detailed explanations | Paid |
| AWS Official Exam Guide | Official domain breakdown and sample questions | Free |
| AWS Free Tier Account | Hands-on practice with core AWS services | Free (12 months) |
Key Exam Tips and Strategies
Do Not Just Watch Videos
While watching lecture videos is critical to passing, having hands-on experience and utilizing practice exams are essential if you want to pass the exam on your first attempt.
Focus on the Largest Domain
Domain 3: Technology carries the highest weighting at 33%. Spend the most study time here, especially on compute, storage, database, and networking services.
Understand the Shared Responsibility Model
This is a frequently tested concept. Know what AWS is responsible for versus what the customer is responsible for across different service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
Know the AWS Support Plans
Be able to differentiate between Basic, Developer, Business, and Enterprise support plans. Know which features are included in each tier and their respective costs.
Total Study Time: ~24 hours over 2 weeks
Phase 1 (Days 1-5): Video course + concept study
Phase 2 (Days 6-10): Hands-on AWS console practice
Phase 3 (Days 11-14): Practice exams + review
Exam Cost: $100 USD
Questions: 65 multiple-choice/multiple-select
Passing Score: 70% (700/1000)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam cost?
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam costs $100 USD. You can schedule the exam through Pearson VUE or PSI test centers, either in-person or online proctored.
How many questions are on the Cloud Practitioner exam?
There are 65 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions on the exam. You need to score 70% (700 out of 1000 scaled score) to pass the certification exam.
Can I pass by just watching the video course?
No. AWS has increased the exam difficulty. While watching videos is critical, hands-on experience and practice exams are essential for passing. Plan for about 24 hours of study over 2 weeks.
What is the exam code for AWS Cloud Practitioner?
The current exam code is CLF-C02, updated from the previous CLF-C01. The exam covers Cloud Concepts (26%), Security (25%), Technology (33%), and Billing (16%).
Where can I find free practice exams for AWS CCP?
ExamPro offers a free practice exam redeemable with no credit card required. You can also find free practice questions on the AWS Training portal and various community resources online.
Need Help with AWS Cloud Strategy?
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