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AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate (DEA-C01) | 2025 Exam Guide & Study Tips

What is AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate (DEA-C01)?

The AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate (DEA-C01) is an associate-level certification that validates your ability to design and implement AWS data pipelines, manage data stores, monitor pipelines, ensure data quality, and enforce governance and security.

Exam Overview – DEA-C01 (2025)

Duration: 130 minutes
Question Format: 65 Multiple Choice / Multiple Response
Cost: US $150
Delivery: Pearson VUE or online proctored
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese

Domain Breakdown

Data Ingestion & Transformation – 34%
Data Store Management – 26%
Data Operations & Support – 22%
Data Security & Governance – 18%

Why Take the DEA-C01 Certification?

Validates expertise in AWS data engineering and pipelines.
Growing demand for data engineers skilled in AWS—boosts recognition and salary potential.

Preparation Strategy for DEA-C01

1. Learn via Structured Courses

AWS Skill Builder offers free/exam-prep courses tailored to DEA-C01. Popular paid options: Udemy (Stephane Maarek & Frank Kane), Whizlabs, Coursera.

2. Hands-On Practice Labs

Focus on AWS Glue pipelines, Redshift data warehousing, Athena queries, S3 lakes, Step Functions orchestration, and IAM/KMS security.

3. Practice with Realistic Exams

Official AWS practice set (20 questions). User-recommended sets: TutorialsDojo, Skillcertpro (800+ Qs).

4. Example Study Plan

Week 1–2: Ingestion, transformation, orchestration
Week 3: Data stores, modeling, lifecycle, operations
Week 4: Governance, encryption, data quality, full mock tests

Key AWS Services to Master

Data Ingestion & Processing: AWS Glue, Kinesis, MSK, DMS, Lambda
Analytics & Storage: S3, Redshift, Athena, EMR, Lake Formation
Orchestration: Step Functions, EventBridge, AppFlow, MWAA
Governance & Security: IAM, KMS, Macie, CloudTrail, Config

GoHackersCloud Advantage

Structured video course covering all DEA-C01 domains
Hands-on labs simulating pipelines and orchestration
400+ practice questions and full-length mock exams
Guides on AWS architecture, SQL optimization, and security
Mentorship, peer reviews, and resume guidance

Tips to Crack the Exam

Use diagram-based learning for pipelines and workflows.
Sharpen SQL query writing and debug transformation logic.
Allocate prep time per domain weight for efficiency.
Practice under timed conditions to build pace and endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is AWS Data Engineer – Associate (DEA-C01) certification worth it in 2025?

Absolutely—it validates real-world AWS data engineering skills like pipeline design, transformation, and governance. As demand for data engineers grows, this cert can enhance your visibility and career opportunities.

How hard is DEA-C01?

It’s a challenging associate-level cert that tests both practical AWS knowledge and strategic pipeline planning. Consistent hands-on practice, mock exams, and domain-focused study are key to success.

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Ready to start your certification journey?

join thousands of successful certified professionals!

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