Training guide
AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate: Exam Guide
A guide to the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate exam: format, topics, cost and how to prepare.
EU Job Hub Editorial Team · Updated 1 October 2026 · Based on AWS Certification information and exam guides
Introduction
The AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate exam tests how you build and manage data pipelines on AWS. It sits at associate level, so some hands-on experience helps.
This guide gives the format and cost, explains the topics and offers a study plan. Check the AWS page for the latest exam version.
Quick Information
| Provider |
Amazon Web Services |
| Level |
Associate |
| Exam code |
DEA-C01, as listed in exam guides |
| Format |
65 questions in 130 minutes |
| Fee |
150 USD |
| Pass mark |
720 out of 1,000, according to third-party guides |
| Validity |
3 years, according to third-party guides |
Key Points at a Glance
- Guides list 65 questions, 130 minutes and 150 USD.
- The exam focuses on ingesting, storing, processing and securing data.
- The pass score is listed as 720 by third-party guides.
- It is not an entry-level exam.
- AWS says one certification can earn a discount on the next exam.
What the Exam Tests
It tests how you ingest and transform data, manage data stores, run data operations and secure data. These are the daily tasks of a cloud data engineer.
Questions describe a business case and ask which service or design fits best.
Format and Cost
The exam has 65 questions in 130 minutes. The fee is listed at 150 USD, and local prices vary.
AWS says that earning one certification gives a discount on your next exam.
Who Should Take It
It suits data analysts who want to move into pipelines, software developers who work with data and engineers who run data platforms.
If you are new to AWS, start with Cloud Practitioner or the free Skill Builder courses.
Core Skills to Practise
Learn how batch and streaming data move through a pipeline. Practise storing data in different formats and cleaning it on the way.
Learn how to watch a pipeline and fix a failed job.
A Study Plan
Plan eight weeks at about eight hours a week. Use the first weeks for storage and ingestion, the middle for processing and the last for security and review.
Use the official practice question set. Review every wrong answer.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not study services one at a time. The exam links them in a pipeline.
Do not skip data security. Encryption and access are tested.
Do not rely on old guides. Check the exam code and date.
Know the Data Pipeline Steps
A pipeline starts with ingestion, which brings data in. Next comes transformation, which cleans and shapes it. Then comes storage, where the data waits for use.
Last come analysis and monitoring. Draw this flow on paper and add the AWS service you would use at each step.
A Small Practice Project
Build a tiny pipeline. Load a sample file into storage, clean it with a simple job and query the result.
Add an alarm that tells you when the job fails. Then break the job on purpose and fix it.
Booking and Exam Day
Book through your AWS Certification account. Pick a testing centre or an online exam.
Check the identification rules. Plan breaks in your day so that you arrive rested.
Key Terms Explained
Ingestion: Bringing data into a system.
Transformation: Cleaning and reshaping data so it can be used.
Batch processing: Handling data in large groups at set times.
Streaming: Handling data continuously as it arrives.
Data lake: A store that keeps raw data in many formats.
Data warehouse: A store built for fast reports on structured data.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
Check the current price on the official page. Check that the exam code or course name matches the guide you study from.
Ask whether your employer or school will pay. Ask how long the result stays valid.
Write down your goal first. Choose a course or exam only if it moves you towards that goal.
Using It in Europe
Roles include data engineer, analytics engineer and cloud data specialist. Add the certificate and the year to your Europass CV.
Show one small pipeline you built, with a short readme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the exam?
Guides list 150 USD.
How long is it?
It lasts 130 minutes and has 65 questions.
Is it for beginners?
It is associate level. Some hands-on experience helps.
Does AWS give a discount?
AWS says one certification can earn a discount on the next exam.
Find Jobs
Job titles to search for include data engineer, analytics engineer and cloud data specialist. Search current vacancies on the EURES portal.
Official Course Page
Read the current details on the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate page.
Disclaimer
This guide is independent and is not affiliated with Amazon Web Services. Prices, course lists and exam rules change, so check the official AWS page before you pay or enrol. A certificate does not give you the right to work in any country.
