Best AWS Solutions Architect Associate practice tests in 2026 (an honest comparison)

CrushCert · Updated July 2026 · ~7 min read

The short version: Tutorials Dojo (Jon Bonso) has the community-favorite practice exams, Stephane Maarek's Udemy course-plus-tests is the best way to learn and drill, and CrushCert adds adaptive practice plus hands-on labs. SAA-C03 is scenario-heavy, so most people who pass use more than one question source.

We build AWS prep ourselves, so weigh our own entry accordingly — the rest is an honest rundown of what the AWS community actually uses for the Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) exam, and who each option is genuinely best for.

What SAA-C03 actually is: 65 questions in 130 minutes, scored 100–1000 with a 720 pass mark, across four design domains — secure (30%), resilient (26%), high-performing (24%), and cost-optimized (20%) architectures. It's a step up from Cloud Practitioner: fewer definition questions, far more "given this scenario, pick the best architecture."

The pattern that works: learn the services from a course, then stress-test with a separate, tougher scenario bank. Because SAA-C03 rewards judgment over recall, seeing varied wording is exactly how you avoid memorizing one provider's phrasing instead of the actual trade-offs.

Quick comparison

Tool	Best for	Price (approx.)
Tutorials Dojo	Best-value practice exams	~$15–30
Stephane Maarek (Udemy)	Best course + solid practice tests	~$15–20 on sale (each)
Whizlabs	High question volume on a budget	~$10–20
CrushCert	Adaptive practice + hands-on labs	From $15 / mo
Official AWS Skill Builder	Free official sample questions	Free

1. Tutorials Dojo

BEST PRACTICE EXAMSJon Bonso's Tutorials Dojo practice exams are the community go-to for SAA-C03 — patterned closely on the real exam, with timed, review, and section-based modes and genuinely thorough explanations for every option. A useful quirk: they run a little harder than the real thing, so a steady mid-80s on Dojo is a reassuring signal. They typically run about $15–30.

Best for: final-stage, realistic practice before test day. Trade-off: it's a question bank, not a course — pair it with something that teaches the services first.

2. Stephane Maarek (Udemy)

BEST COURSEMaarek's "Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate" course is the most popular way to learn the material, and his companion practice-test set (co-authored with Abhishek Singh) adds hundreds of well-explained scenario questions written from scratch. Both are often around $15–20 each on sale.

Best for: learning AWS architecture properly, then drilling. Trade-off: the course and tests are sold separately — budget for both, and many people still add Tutorials Dojo on top.

3. Whizlabs

BUDGET VOLUMEWhizlabs offers a large pool of SAA-C03 practice questions and section quizzes at a low price. Quality is a notch below Dojo and Maarek and some items feel dated, but the sheer volume makes it a cheap way to get extra reps once you know the material.

Best for: extra low-cost question volume. Trade-off: uneven explanations — verify anything that surprises you against the AWS docs.

4. CrushCert

LABS + ADAPTIVEThat's us. CrushCert pairs an adaptive SAA-C03 question bank with hands-on AWS labs and full timed mock exams, plus a readiness score that tells you when you're actually ready — from $15/month, with a 7-day free trial. The adaptive engine keeps surfacing your weakest design domains instead of what you already know. Here's CrushCert's Solutions Architect prep.

Best for: adaptive practice plus hands-on reps in one place. Trade-off: we're newer than the names above, and a subscription suits ongoing study more than a one-time cram.

5. Official AWS Skill Builder

AWS's own Skill Builder includes a free official practice question set and the SAA-C03 exam-prep plan, plus the paid Official Practice Exam. It's authoritative, but the free question volume is limited — a good sanity check, not a full practice bank.

Avoid "brain dumps." Sites selling leaked real exam questions violate the AWS Certification agreement and NDA and can cost you your certification. Stick to legitimate practice with explanations.

Our honest recommendation

Learn the services and architecture patterns with Stephane Maarek. Drill your weak domains with an adaptive bank plus hands-on labs (where CrushCert fits) so the design trade-offs stick. Then stress-test with Tutorials Dojo until you're consistently in the mid-80s on fresh, timed exams. New to AWS certs? Start with the best Cloud Practitioner practice tests and how long to study for Cloud Practitioner first.

Try the adaptive + labs piece free

Adaptive SAA-C03 quizzes, hands-on AWS labs, and full timed mock exams — 7-day free trial, no card required.

See CrushCert's AWS SA prep →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best AWS Solutions Architect Associate practice test?

Tutorials Dojo (Jon Bonso) is the community favorite for SAA-C03 practice exams; Stephane Maarek's Udemy set is a strong, well-explained alternative and pairs naturally with his course; and tools like CrushCert add adaptive practice plus hands-on labs. Most people who pass combine a course with a separate, tougher question bank.

Are AWS brain dumps safe to use for SAA-C03?

No. Brain dumps (leaked real exam questions) violate the AWS Certification agreement and NDA and can get your certification revoked. Use legitimate practice tests with explanations instead.

What score should I hit on practice tests before booking SAA-C03?

Aim for a consistent 80–85% on fresh, timed practice exams. Tutorials Dojo runs a little harder than the real exam, so steady mid-80s there is a strong signal you're ready for the 720/1000 pass mark.

Is one practice test set enough for SAA-C03?

Usually not. Most successful candidates use two or more sets so they see varied wording and scenario framing rather than memorizing one provider's phrasing. SAA-C03 is scenario-heavy, so variety matters more than on the Cloud Practitioner exam.