The AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam costs $150 USD and gives you 130 minutes for 65 questions, of which 50 are scored. Every question is either multiple choice (one correct answer of four) or multiple response (two or more of five or more), and you need a scaled score of 720 out of 1,000 to pass.
Last updated October 2026.
The fee is $150 USD, the standard price for an AWS associate exam. AWS lists local-currency prices for some countries and updates prices at least once a year, so check the figure when you book. The price covers one attempt.
Retake and voucher rules from the AWS Certification policies and benefits pages; fee and duration from the AWS certification page, checked 22 October 2026.
| SAA-C03 | |
|---|---|
| Questions | 65 in total |
| Scored | 50 (15 unscored, mixed in and not identified) |
| Time | 130 minutes, two minutes a question |
| Question types | Multiple choice and multiple response |
| Passing score | 720 on a 100 to 1,000 scaled score |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or online proctored |
One correct answer and three distractors. On SAA-C03 the distractors are usually real AWS designs that would work, just not as well for the stated requirement. An option that is more expensive, more complex or less available than needed is wrong even though it is technically sound.
Two or more correct answers from five or more options, and the question says how many to pick. There is no partial credit: one wrong selection loses the whole question. Judge each option against the scenario on its own; do not pick a second answer because it seems to pair with the first.
No ordering, matching or case-study items. Some newer AWS exams, such as the AI Practitioner, add those formats. SAA-C03 uses only the two classic types, so practice on single-answer and multiple-response scenarios is practice on the real format.
Your raw result on the 50 scored questions is converted to a scaled score from 100 to 1,000, and 720 passes. The scaled score is not a percentage, so 720 does not mean 72% correct. AWS does not publish the exact conversion.
Scoring is compensatory: there is no pass mark per domain, only one for the whole exam. The score report can show how you did in each of the four domains, which is the useful part if you need to retake. There is also no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank.
Book a date before you feel completely ready: a fixed date keeps the study plan honest, and rescheduling is usually possible if you need more time.
$150 USD per attempt. Retakes are paid in full, and passing any AWS exam gives access to a 50% discount voucher for a later exam or recertification.
65 questions in 130 minutes. 50 are scored and 15 are unscored trial questions that you cannot tell apart from the rest.
No. A multiple-response question is only marked correct if every selection is correct, so one wrong pick loses the whole question.
14 calendar days after a failed attempt. AWS sets no limit on the number of attempts, but each one costs the full exam fee.
Yes. SAA-C03 can be taken online with a remote proctor or at a Pearson VUE test center. Online delivery needs a quiet private room and passes a system check before the exam starts.
The Certified SAA-C03 course teaches each exam guide skill as a short visual chapter with scenario questions in the exam's own style. Unit 1 is free.
Open the SAA-C03 course →