How to Schedule Your AWS Certification Exam
A practical, step-by-step walkthrough — from creating your AWS account to sitting in the test centre — including two benefits most candidates miss.
50% Repeat-Candidate Discount
Already hold an AWS certification? You automatically qualify for a half-price voucher on your next exam — saving you roughly $75–$150 depending on the level.
Save 50%+30 Min ESL Accommodation
If English is not your first language you can request 30 extra minutes at no charge. This must be applied before you book, not on exam day.
+30 minutesBefore you book — two things to sort first
1. Claim your 50% discount (if you hold any AWS certification)
AWS rewards certified candidates with a benefit voucher after each exam pass. This voucher gives you 50% off the registration fee for your next AWS exam — at any level. The discount applies whether you are recertifying or moving to a new certification.
Where to find it:
- Log in to aws.training and go to AWS Certification → Benefits.
- Your benefit voucher appears there automatically after each passing result is processed (usually within a few days).
- Copy the voucher code — you enter it at checkout on the Pearson VUE booking site.
Benefit vouchers expire. Check the expiry date shown in your Benefits dashboard and book before it lapses. You get one voucher per passed exam, and it applies to one future exam registration. It cannot be stacked with other discount codes.
2. Request the ESL (+30 min) accommodation
AWS offers a 30-minute time extension for candidates whose native language is not English and who are taking an English-language exam. There is no charge and no documentation required — you simply self-declare.
How to request it:
- In aws.training, go to AWS Certification → Upcoming Exams → Request Accommodations.
- Select ESL +30 MINUTES from the accommodation list.
- You must do this before you schedule your exam appointment. Once an appointment is booked without the accommodation, adding it retroactively requires contacting AWS support and may not be possible close to your exam date.
ESL accommodation is available for any exam delivered in English, regardless of your country of residence or citizenship. If you are more comfortable reading in English than speaking it, you still qualify — the self-declaration is on your honour.
Step-by-step: booking your exam
Create or sign in to your AWS account
Go to aws.training and sign in with your Amazon account (the same login you use for the AWS Console). If you don't have one, create a free account — no credit card is required just to register.
Complete your candidate profile
Navigate to AWS Certification in the top menu and fill in your profile if you haven't already. Make sure your name exactly matches a government-issued photo ID — this is what the test centre checks on exam day.
⚠️ Name mismatches can result in being turned away at the test centre with no refund.Apply your ESL accommodation (if needed)
Before scheduling, go to Request Accommodations and select ESL +30 MINUTES. Your accommodation is attached to your candidate profile and will automatically apply when you book an English-language exam.
Find your 50% benefit voucher (if eligible)
Go to AWS Certification → Benefits. If you hold any current AWS certification, your discount voucher code is listed here. Copy it — you'll paste it at checkout.
💡 Vouchers are issued after a result is published, not immediately after sitting the exam.Schedule with Pearson VUE
Click Schedule New Exam in your AWS Certification dashboard. You will be redirected to Pearson VUE, which is the testing provider for all AWS certifications. Search for your exam by name or code (e.g. SAA-C03 for Solutions Architect Associate).
Choose: test centre or online proctored
Pearson VUE offers two delivery options:
- Test centre — you attend a local Pearson VUE centre. Recommended if you want a controlled, distraction-free environment. You'll need photo ID.
- OnVUE (online proctored) — you sit at home, monitored by a live proctor via webcam. Requires a quiet private room, a reliable internet connection, and a webcam. You cannot use a second monitor.
Pick a date, time, and location
Select a date at least a week out to give yourself final preparation time. Pearson VUE shows available slots by location. For online proctored, choose a time when your home environment will be quiet.
Apply your discount voucher at checkout
On the payment screen, enter your benefit voucher code in the Voucher / Promo Code field before submitting payment. The 50% discount is applied instantly — you'll see the updated total before confirming.
💡 Exam fees (before discount): Foundation ~$100 · Associate ~$150 · Professional ~$300 · Specialty ~$300.Confirm and save your appointment details
Pearson VUE sends a confirmation email with your appointment ID, location or online instructions, and a link to reschedule if needed. Save this — you'll need the appointment ID if anything goes wrong on the day.
📅 You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your appointment. Cancellations within 24 hours forfeit the fee.On exam day
Arrive at the test centre 15 minutes early with your government-issued photo ID. You will be asked to store all personal belongings (phone, notes, watch) in a locker. For online proctored exams, the proctor will connect 15–30 minutes before your scheduled time to do an environment check.
After the exam
AWS exams use a scaled scoring system from 100 to 1,000. Your score appears on screen immediately after you submit, and an official score report is emailed within a few business days. If you pass, your new certification shows in your aws.training dashboard within five business days — along with a fresh 50% benefit voucher for your next exam.
If you don't pass, you must wait 14 days before rescheduling. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you pay the full fee each time (the 50% voucher is only issued on a pass).
Rescheduling and cancellation policy
- More than 24 hours before your appointment: reschedule or cancel for free.
- Within 24 hours: you forfeit the exam fee — no refund, no credit.
- No-show: same as a within-24-hour cancellation; fee is forfeited.
To reschedule, log in to Pearson VUE directly at home.pearsonvue.com/aws or via the link in your confirmation email.
Quick-reference summary
Not ready to book yet? Practise first.
Our free timed practice exams mirror the real AWS format — scored, timed, with per-domain breakdowns and full answer explanations. Get confident before you pay for the real thing.
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