About the AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) Exam

Quick Answer: The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam has 65 questions, a 90-minute time limit, and requires a scaled score of 700/1,000 to pass. It covers Cloud Concepts (24%), Security and Compliance (30%), Cloud Technology and Services (34%), and Billing, Pricing, and Support (12%). The exam costs $100 USD with no required prerequisites.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational-level credential in the AWS certification program. It validates a broad, role-agnostic understanding of the AWS Cloud, its core services, security, billing, and the value proposition of cloud computing. The current exam version is CLF-C02, which replaced CLF-C01 in September 2023 with updated content, more weight on security and compliance, and coverage of newer services such as the Sustainability pillar and modern AI/ML offerings.

Exam Format at a Glance

The exam is offered in many languages including English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. You can request a 30-minute time extension for non-native English speakers in advance through your AWS Certification account.

Domain Breakdown

On the Exam: Security and Compliance (30%) and Cloud Technology and Services (34%) together make up 64% of the exam — nearly two-thirds. Prioritize these two domains in your study plan, then shore up Cloud Concepts, and study Billing last.

Question Types Explained

Multiple-Choice (Single Select)

You are presented with a question and four answer options (A–D). One answer is correct, and the other three are distractors. These make up the majority of the exam.

Multiple-Response (Multi-Select)

You are given a question with five or more options and asked to select two or more correct answers. The question states exactly how many to pick (e.g., "Choose TWO"). There is no partial credit — you must select every correct answer and no incorrect answer to earn the point. If you are unsure of one required answer, eliminate the clearly wrong options first to improve your odds.

Scoring and Unscored Questions

The exam uses scaled scoring from 100 to 1,000, with 700 as the passing line. Of the 65 questions, 15 are unscored pretest items that AWS uses to evaluate future content. You cannot tell which questions are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts. AWS uses a compensatory scoring model: you do not need to pass each domain individually — a strong performance in one domain can offset a weaker performance in another, so long as your overall scaled score reaches 700.

After you submit, you receive a pass/fail notification on screen. A detailed score report showing your performance by domain (Meets Competencies / Needs Improvement) appears in your AWS Certification account, typically within 5 business days.

Prerequisites and Audience

AWS states there are no formal prerequisites, but recommends roughly 6 months of exposure to the AWS Cloud and a basic understanding of IT services. The CLF-C02 is ideal for:

• Cloud beginners starting the AWS certification path
• Business professionals (sales, finance, project managers, procurement) who work with technical teams
• IT professionals transitioning into cloud roles
• Students and career-changers building foundational cloud knowledge before pursuing Associate-level certifications such as Solutions Architect Associate

How to Register and Exam Day

Register through your account at aws.training (or the AWS Certification portal), choose CLF-C02, select Pearson VUE as the delivery provider, and pick a test center or online proctoring slot. The fee is $100 USD.

At a test center, bring two forms of valid ID (one government-issued photo ID); no personal items are allowed in the testing room. For online proctoring, you need a government-issued photo ID, a quiet private room with a clear desk, a working webcam, and a stable internet connection — no second monitors, phones, notes, or other people in the room. Check in 30 minutes early to complete identity verification.

Retake Policy and Recertification

If you do not pass, you must wait 14 days before retaking the exam, and there is no limit on the number of attempts within a 12-month period — though you pay the $100 fee each time. Use the domain-level feedback in your score report to target the domains marked "Needs Improvement" before re-sitting.

To recertify, you simply need to earn (or re-earn) the credential before your 3-year window closes. Passing a higher-level AWS exam — such as a Solutions Architect Associate — also keeps your record current and demonstrates progression beyond the foundational tier. AWS occasionally offers a 50% discount voucher for your next exam after you pass one, which can offset the cost of moving on to an Associate certification.