DVA-C02 FAQ — Format, Depth, and Study Strategy

What is the exam format?

DVA-C02 is a 65-question exam with a 130-minute time limit. Question styles are multiple-choice and multiple-response (no hands-on labs).

What score do I need to pass?

The published minimum passing score is 720 on a 100–1000 scaled score.

Do I need deep AWS networking knowledge?

Not typically. You do need practical awareness of VPC basics, endpoints, and secure connectivity patterns, but DVA-C02 is primarily about building and operating applications with AWS services.

What should I memorize?

• The “best-fit” use cases for Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, S3, SNS/SQS/EventBridge, Step Functions.
• Core security primitives: IAM roles/policies, KMS, Secrets Manager/SSM, basic auth patterns.
• Common failure modes: throttling, timeouts, retries, DLQs, permissions, cold starts.

What’s the most efficient way to study?

1. Read the Overview and internalize domain weights.
2. Work the Syllabus domain-by-domain and drill after each section.
3. Keep the Cheatsheet open while practicing.
4. Finish with timed mixed mocks in Practice.

How does DVA-C02 compare to SAA-C03?

SAA-C03 is more architecture-heavy across many services. DVA-C02 is more developer-centric: SDK usage, event-driven patterns, deployment automation, and troubleshooting with logs/metrics/traces.

Where do I find official information and registration?

See Resources for the official AWS exam page and exam guide PDF.