Do I need to write code during the exam?

No. It is entirely multiple choice and multiple response. But questions show code and configuration snippets and expect you to read them, so the exam is much harder without real programming experience.

What score do I need to pass?

720 on a scaled range of 100 to 1000. Scoring is compensatory, so you must pass overall rather than each domain individually. The scale is not a straight percentage of questions correct, so treat practice-exam percentages as an approximation.

Which language should I know?

Any high-level language is fine. The exam does not target a specific SDK. Questions are framed so that the concept, not the syntax, is what is being tested.

Should I take Solutions Architect - Associate first?

Neither requires the other. Take the one matching your work: Architect if you choose and combine services, Developer if you build on them. Many people do both, and the security and deployment material overlaps.

How long does the certification last?

Three years. Recertify by passing the current version, or automatically by earning a higher-level AWS certification.

AWS Certified Developer - Associate (DVA-C02)

DVA-C02· Associate· Intermediate

Developer - Associate covers building, deploying, securing and debugging applications that run on AWS. This is the associate exam for people who write code. Expect SDKs and service APIs, IAM from the application's point of view, CI/CD pipelines, and tracing a failure symptom back to its cause. It assumes you are comfortable in at least one high-level programming language.

65
Questions: 130 min
Duration: 720 on a 100 to 1000 scaled score
Passing score: US$150
Exam cost

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Exam facts reviewed July 2026 · Independent study resource, not affiliated with Amazon Web Services

Who should take it

Software engineers already building on AWS, and backend or platform developers who want a credential that matches their day-to-day work. AWS recommends a year or more developing and maintaining AWS applications, plus proficiency in a high-level language and familiarity with application lifecycle management.

Skills measured

Domains and weightings as published by Amazon Web Services. Full objectives →

32%Development with AWS Services
26%Security
24%Deployment
18%Troubleshooting and Optimization

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need to write code during the exam?: No. It is entirely multiple choice and multiple response. But questions show code and configuration snippets and expect you to read them, so the exam is much harder without real programming experience.
What score do I need to pass?: 720 on a scaled range of 100 to 1000. Scoring is compensatory, so you must pass overall rather than each domain individually. The scale is not a straight percentage of questions correct, so treat practice-exam percentages as an approximation.
Which language should I know?: Any high-level language is fine. The exam does not target a specific SDK. Questions are framed so that the concept, not the syntax, is what is being tested.
Should I take Solutions Architect - Associate first?: Neither requires the other. Take the one matching your work: Architect if you choose and combine services, Developer if you build on them. Many people do both, and the security and deployment material overlaps.
How long does the certification last?: Three years. Recertify by passing the current version, or automatically by earning a higher-level AWS certification.

Related certifications

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C03): The same level, from the design-and-selection side
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): The foundational exam if AWS itself is still new