My 12-Day Journey to AWS Security Specialty Certification – 2025 Edition

First and foremost, I give glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for blessing me with the ability to pass this challenging certification exam. His guidance and grace made this achievement possible.

In 2025, I set a personal challenge: to pass the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam in just 12 days without using any paid resources. I relied entirely on official AWS documentation, my hands-on experience, and a structured plan. With over 16 years of experience using AWS both professionally and personally, I wanted to test whether discipline and strategic study could outperform expensive courses and long prep cycles.

While this method may not suit everyone, the principles behind it—targeted focus, structured review, and a solid foundation—can benefit anyone preparing for this certification. In this first part of the series, I’ll walk you through the exam structure, my mindset going in, and exactly how I approached the first week of preparation.

Understanding the AWS Certified Security – Specialty Exam

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification is designed for cloud security professionals who want to validate their ability to secure AWS environments. It requires an in-depth understanding of services like IAM, KMS, GuardDuty, Security Hub, CloudTrail, and many more.

The exam has six domains:

Threat Detection and Incident Response
Security Logging and Monitoring
Infrastructure Security
Identity and Access Management
Data Protection
Management and Security Governance

You are given 170 minutes to complete 65 questions. Of these, only 50 are scored. The remaining 15 are unmarked and used for evaluation purposes by AWS, but you won’t know which ones count.

Questions can be scenario-based and often contain closely worded answer options. Subtle differences in terms like “most secure,” “cost-effective,” or “least privilege” can determine the correct choice. Understanding these nuances is crucial.

Booking the Exam Early: Why Commitment Matters

I scheduled my exam at a Pearson VUE certification center, which cost $300. This step was more than administrative—it was psychological. Committing to a date upfront made the goal real and gave me an immovable deadline. It forced discipline into my study schedule from day one.

I deliberately chose a test center over online proctoring. While online exams are convenient, they come with potential distractions and technical issues. A controlled environment eliminates these risks, giving you the best chance to focus fully during your exam.

Day 1: Building a Game Plan

The first day of study was all about orientation. I carefully reviewed the official AWS exam guide and the exam blueprint. These documents break down the domains and tell you what AWS expects from you.

I then mapped each exam domain to its relevant AWS services. For example, I connected the Identity and Access Management domain to IAM, IAM Identity Center, AWS STS, Directory Service, and related tools. The goal was to create a one-to-one mapping so that no topic was left uncovered.

I also created a 14-day study plan and blocked time each day to focus on different domains. This gave me a visual roadmap and helped me stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

Days 2–6: Deep Dive into Documentation

From days two to six, I immersed myself in AWS documentation. Instead of bouncing between different courses or platforms, I stuck to the official AWS docs, FAQs, whitepapers, and security best practices.

My goal during this phase was to reinforce what I already knew and fill in any gaps, particularly with services I hadn’t worked with recently or deeply. I focused on the following:

Threat Detection and Incident Response

I reviewed Amazon GuardDuty, Security Hub, AWS Config, Amazon Macie, Amazon Inspector, and AWS Detective. I paid close attention to how these services interact and integrate to deliver a layered security approach.

For example, GuardDuty’s threat detection feeds into Security Hub, which aggregates findings across services. I also looked at how Lambda functions can automate incident response workflows triggered by CloudWatch Events or EventBridge.

Security Logging and Monitoring

I spent time on CloudTrail, VPC Flow Logs, CloudWatch Logs, and DNS query logs. These are the core services AWS uses to generate audit trails and monitoring dashboards. Understanding where logs are stored, how to access them, and how to query them with Athena is vital.

Infrastructure Security

This domain covers services like AWS WAF, AWS Shield, Elastic Load Balancers, Route 53, CloudFront, and AWS Network Firewall. I reviewed how to architect secure network boundaries and how to mitigate DDoS attacks.

I also revisited topics like Transit Gateways, Direct Connect, and VPNs to understand how hybrid architectures affect your security posture.

Identity and Access Management

IAM is the backbone of any AWS security plan. I focused on policies, trust relationships, IAM roles, policy evaluation logic, permission boundaries, and tools like IAM Access Analyzer.

Understanding the subtle differences between resource-based policies and identity-based policies helped in answering complex questions. I also reviewed IAM Identity Center and its integration with AWS SSO.

Data Protection

I studied services like AWS KMS, CloudHSM, AWS Secrets Manager, and how encryption is handled in S3, EBS, and RDS. The goal was to understand when to use ccustomer-managedkeys keys versus AWS-managed keys, and how envelope encryption works.

Management and Security Governance

This domain includes AWS Organizations, Control Tower, Service Catalog, and Firewall Manager. I studied how to manage multiple accounts securely, enforce guardrails, and align workloads with compliance requirements.

Note-Taking and Efficiency

I didn’t take traditional notes. Instead, I used a spreadsheet where I listed each service, its key features, use cases, and any edge cases or exceptions I encountered. This format allowed for easy filtering and quick reviews.

I avoided rabbit holes. For example, if I noticed an advanced topic like certificate pinning in a TLS context and it wasn’t relevant to the exam guide, I moved on. Staying focused on exam-related content was crucial.

Day 7: Rest and Reset

After six days of intense study, I took a full rest day on Day 7. This wasn’t wasted time—it was essential for long-term retention. Stepping back gave my brain time to process and organize the information.

I also used this day to casually review my checklist, flag services I didn’t feel confident about, and prepare mentally for the second week of preparation.

Lessons Learned in Week 1

Booking the exam first gives structure and urgency.
The AWS exam guide is your map—follow it closely.
Official documentation is the most reliable source.e
Mapping domains to services helps track progress.s
Resting is just as important as studying.

Week one was all about understanding the foundation. By day seven, I had covered all domains at least once, built a knowledge map, and flagged weak areas for review.

I’ll break down week two: how I used service FAQs, practice exams, gap analysis, and rest to finalize my preparation. The final stretch was all about converting knowledge into exam confidence.

From Knowledge to Readiness – Sharpening Skills in Week 2 of AWS Security Specialty Prep

After laying a solid foundation during Week 1 of my AWS Security Specialty exam prep, Week 2 was about sharpening that knowledge into exam readiness. This is where I moved from consuming AWS documentation to applying that understanding through FAQs, practice tests, and targeted gap analysis.

The final stretch of any certification journey is where most people lose focus, rush review, or get overwhelmed. I chose to slow down, assess my knowledge gaps, and simulate real exam conditions. This allowed me to boost both my confidence and performance just in time for test day.

Week 2: Transition from Learning to Mastery

The second week started on June 2, 2025, exactly eight days before my scheduled exam. At this stage, I had already covered all six domains using official AWS documentation. Now it was time to refine.

I split this week into specific focus areas:

Days 8 to 10: AWS FAQs and scenario review
Day 11: Official practice questions
Day 12: Full practice exam
Day 13: Gap analysis and reinforcement
Day 14: Final rest and mental prep

This breakdown helped me work smarter instead of harder, using each day to build focus and avoid burnout.

Days 8–10: Mastering the AWS FAQs

The AWS Frequently Asked Questions pages are one of the most underrated exam prep resources. While documentation provides detailed explanations of service features, the FAQ sections highlight edge cases, exceptions, limitations, and design patterns. These are the exact things the exam likes to test.

For example, in the KMS FAQ, I reviewed when you should use customer-managed keys versus AWS-managed keys and how key policies interact with IAM policies. In the IAM FAQ, I found clarification on permission boundaries and the behavior of implicit versus explicit denies.

Over these three days, I reviewed FAQs for over 30 services. I prioritized services tied directly to security:

IAM
AWS KMS
GuardDuty
Security Hub
Macie
Inspector
AWS WAF
CloudTrail
AWS Organizations
Secrets Manager
AWS Config
CloudHSM

These documents are less dense than full documentation but are full of insight. I went through them with a highlighter and updated my notes with answers to “what happens if…” questions. This reinforced how services behave in uncommon or edge scenarios, exactly what the exam targets.

Day 11: Official Practice Questions

By Day 11, I felt ready to test my readiness using the official AWS practice questions. I used AWS Skill Builder to access the official sample set. It consisted of 20 multiple-choice questions formatted similarly to the real exam.

I scored 19 out of 20.

While the score gave me confidence, I wasn’t fixated on perfection. What mattered more was the rationale behind each answer. For every question—even the ones I got right—I went back and validated why it was correct, why the others were wrong, and how the services involved were working together.

This exercise exposed subtle areas of weakness. For example, I realized I wasn’t entirely clear on how cross-account access was established using IAM roles versus resource-based policies. I added this to my Day 13 review list.

The official practice questions also gave me a sense of timing. I aimed to answer each question in under two minutes, mirroring real exam conditions.

Day 12: Full Practice Exam Simulation

On Day 12, I simulated the real exam experience with a full-length practice test consisting of 65 questions. I used a combination of AWS practice material and sample questions from reputable sources that closely mirror the AWS exam style.

I created a quiet, distraction-free environment and used a countdown timer set to 170 minutes. I answered every question seriously, marked those I felt unsure about, and resisted the temptation to check answers on the spot.

My final score was 57 out of 65.

This result wasn’t just a number. It helped identify patterns in my strengths and weaknesses. I was performing strongly in Data Protection, Logging and Monitoring, and Infrastructure Security, but I still had room for improvement in Identity and Access Management and Governance.

More importantly, I was confident in my pacing. I completed the test in just under 150 minutes, leaving time to review marked questions.

Day 13: Gap Analysis and Focused Review

Armed with performance data from the practice test, I dedicated Day 13 to closing knowledge gaps. This was perhaps the most valuable day of the entire preparation process.

I categorized the questions I got wrong or marked as unsure and grouped them by domain:

IAM: Needed better clarity on trust policies and permission boundaries
Governance: Confused between AWS Control Tower, Organizations, and Service Catalog
Inspector vs Macie: Needed a better understanding of use cases and when each is best used.

I revisited the documentation for these topics, reread relevant FAQs, and watched short AWS re: Invent videos where available. I also reviewed architecture diagrams and service interaction patterns.

For IAM, I revisited how policy evaluation logic works, especially with multiple policies applied to the same identity. I reviewed use cases involving federated access, temporary credentials via AWS STS, and how trust relationships enable role assumption across accounts.

For AWS governance, I made sure I could differentiate what each service does:

Control Tower automates landing zone setup
Organizations handle multi-account management.
.
Service Catalog ensures only approved resources are launched

This gap analysis ensured that by the time I hit the exam room, I wasn’t just guessing—I had reasons for every choice.

Day 14: Final Rest Day

I kept the last day completely light. No studying. No videos. No cramming. I took this day to disconnect, reflect, and get good sleep.

Mental sharpness is critical on exam day, especially for scenario-heavy tests like the AWS Security Specialty exam. A tired brain leads to mistakes, second-guessing, and poor time management. Rest is a legitimate part of preparation, not a luxury.

Review Strategy Recap

My Week 2 strategy was based on refining, not relearning. Here are the key tactics that made it work:

Leveraging AWS FAQs to find exam-relevant insights
Using practice questions to test concepts in context
Simulating the real exam to build pacing and confidence
Conducting honest gap analysis and targeting weak areas
Prioritizing rest for mental clarity

Each of these steps ensured I entered the exam room not only well-prepared but mentally focused.

What I Avoided

There are some things I deliberately skipped during this phase to protect my time and energy:

I didn’t read the new whitepapers
I didn’t start any new video series or deep dives.
I didn’t follow forum debates about tricky questions

By Week 2, it’s about deepening and refining what you already know, not expanding your study pool. The exam isn’t about rare edge cases or obscure service features—it’s about real-world AWS security best practices.

This second week was where my preparation matured from theoretical to practical. Everything I had read in the documentation became usable knowledge through questions, mistakes, and reflection.

By the end of Day 14, I felt clear-headed, confident, and grateful. I wasn’t aiming for a perfect score. I was aiming to demonstrate competence across all six domains, and I was ready.

Exam Day – Facing the AWS Security Specialty Challenge with Confidence

After two intense weeks of focused preparation, June 10, 2025, finally arrived. Exam day.

Twelve days earlier, I had booked the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. I set an ambitious goal—to pass this expert-level certification using only free resources, prior hands-on experience, and a disciplined study schedule. What followed was a journey that tested both my technical understanding and mental resilience.

In this part of the series, I’ll walk you through what happened on the day of the exam—how I prepared the night before, what I experienced at the testing center, how I handled the questions, and the moment I received my results.

The Night Before the Exam

Preparation the day before the test did not involve studying. That may sound counterintuitive, but by this point, I had already done the work. I spent Day 14 resting deliberately. No notes, no documentation, no last-minute cramming.

Instead, I ensured a full night of sleep, maintained hydration, and kept stress to a minimum. This helped reset my mind, cleared the cognitive clutter, and gave me the mental sharpness needed to manage a high-stakes, scenario-heavy exam.

I laid out everything for exam day in advance—confirmation email, ID, directions to the test center, and a light snack. Preparation outside of study helped eliminate distractions that could have affected my mindset on the big day.

Arriving at the Testing Center

I arrived early at the Pearson VUE certification center. The environment was quiet, secure, and professional. After checking in with a valid ID and going through the security screening, I was escorted to a testing station.

The room was clean, with minimal noise and no distractions. This is one of the reasons I always recommend choosing a testing center over the online exam option. There’s no risk of network issues, webcam misreads, or background interruptions that could jeopardize your test session.

The Test Format and Interface

The exam consisted of 65 questions, and I was given 170 minutes to complete them. The format was a mix of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions, with some having two or more correct answers.

The user interface was clean, with easy navigation and a flagging system to mark questions for review. I used this feature frequently, marking questions where I was unsure or needed more time.

Right from the beginning, I noticed that the difficulty was higher than expected, not because the questions were unsolvable, but because they were densely worded and the answer choices often differed by one subtle but critical detail.

Managing Time and Mental Focus

I approached the exam with a disciplined time management strategy:

2.4 minutes per question (on average)
Skipped and flagged any question I couldn’t answer in under 90 seconds
Saved 15 minutes at the end for review

I moved swiftly through familiar questions, applying what I’d practiced: looking for keywords like “most secure,” “least privilege,” “cost-effective,” and “best practice.” These phrases hint at what the exam is testing: risk reduction, compliance alignment, and operational efficiency.

Time management became even more important when facing long scenario-based questions. These often involved multiple services and required careful elimination of answers that sounded right but failed to meet a subtle security requirement.

I kept an eye on the countdown timer but never let it dictate panic. Staying calm helped me focus and process each question clearly, especially when two or more answers seemed correct.

Tackling Tricky Questions

Many questions didn’t ask for just technical knowledge—they tested how you would apply security principles in real-world AWS environments.

Here are a few recurring themes I encountered:

Cross-Account Access Scenarios

Understanding how IAM roles, trust policies, and resource-based permissions interact across accounts was essential. The exam repeatedly tested whether I could identify the secure and scalable solution for granting access between accounts.

Encryption Strategies

I saw questions focused on when to use AWS KMS versus CloudHSM, how to protect data at rest and in transit, and how to manage customer-managed keys for compliance scenarios.

Some questions tested key rotation, key policy inheritance, and access control within multi-account setups using AWS Organizations.

Incident Response and Logging

Expecting questions on GuardDuty, CloudTrail, Security Hub, and Macie was the right call. Many scenarios involved recognizing an ongoing breach or suspicious activity and choosing the appropriate mitigation and escalation strategy.

I had to know where logs are stored, how to aggregate them across regions, and how to query them efficiently—skills that are critical in live environments.

Service Limits and Governance

A few tricky questions centered around AWS Organizations, Control Tower, and Service Catalog. These tested how to enforce policies, isolate workloads, and ensure a consistent security posture across multiple accounts.

If I hadn’t studied the distinct purposes of these services during my gap analysis, these questions could have been confusing.

Reviewing and Submitting

I completed all 65 questions with about 20 minutes remaining. I used the extra time to revisit all flagged questions—there were around 10. For each one, I re-read both the question and the answers very carefully.

In some cases, I made a change. In others, I stuck with my first instinct. The important thing was that I didn’t rush. With calm, steady focus, I submitted the exam with a sense of peace. I had done my part.

The Wait and the Result

AWS says that certification results can take up to five business days, but I received mine in less than 24 hours. It came via email.

Seeing that “Pass” notification brought an incredible sense of joy and gratitude. This wasn’t just a certification—it was a validation of deep experience, strategic learning, and God’s guidance through a challenging process.

I give all thanks and glory to Jesus Christ, whose grace sustained me through this journey and brought me to this result.

Key Observations from the Exam

The exam is difficult not because it’s obscure, but because it’s deep. Real-world experience gives a major edge.
Time management is crucial. Some questions can take a while to read and process.
Subtle differences in wording make or break a correct answer—terms like “most secure,” “cost-effective,” or “quickest recovery” each imply different things.
You need to think like a security architect. The exam expects you to balance technical accuracy with business constraints like cost, compliance, and maintainability.
Scenario-based questions dominate. Memorization alone will not help; applied understanding is key.

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam is one of the more challenging certifications in the AWS ecosystem. It’s not something you pass by accident or by cramming.

But if you prepare smartly, build your study strategy around AWS’s resources, and bring real-world context into your review, it becomes a manageable challenge.

I walked out of the exam room not just with a certification but with a deeper understanding of how to secure cloud environments effectively. That is the true reward of the process.

Lessons Beyond the Badge – Applying the AWS Security Specialty Journey

Earning the AWS Certified Security–Specialty certification in just 12 days was a challenging and fulfilling achievement. But this journey wasn’t just about clearing an exam or collecting a badge—it was about sharpening cloud security skills, building discipline, and growing through focused effort.

This final part of the series reflects on what I learned during this process, what worked well, what I’d do differently, and how this certification journey translates into real-world impact. Whether you’re preparing for this exam or another cloud certification, the takeaways here can help shape your approach.

The Real Value of the Certification Process

A certification like AWS Security Specialty doesn’t just validate technical knowledge—it proves your ability to apply that knowledge under pressure, in real-world scenarios. Throughout the exam, you’re tested not on whether you’ve memorized facts, but whether you can think like a cloud security architect.

You must know how to:

Protect sensitive data in a variety of AWS services
Design access controls that balance security and usability
Detect threats using native AWS tools and respond effectively.
Apply governance across a multi-account environment.s
Make decisions that are secure, scalable, and cost-effective

The value of this learning goes far beyond test day. It enhances your confidence, your decision-making in real-world architectures, and your ability to contribute meaningfully to cloud security initiatives.

What Worked Well in My 12-Day Plan

The approach I followed was intense, but effective. Here’s what I found most helpful and would recommend to others, even on a more flexible timeline:

Focusing on Official Documentation and FAQs

Instead of relying on paid courses or third-party summaries, I stuck with AWS’s resources. The official documentation, whitepapers, and especially the service FAQs helped me internalize how AWS expects you to think about their services.

This was particularly valuable for topics like IAM role chaining, key management practices, logging architecture, and governance tools like AWS Organizations and Control Tower.

Breaking the Study Plan into Phases

By dividing my study schedule into learning (Week 1) and refinement (Week 2), I avoided overload and had time to absorb the material. It also helped me mentally shift from “learning mode” to “performance mode,” which is important for confidence and exam readiness.

Using Practice Tests for Gap Analysis

Taking practice questions wasn’t about scoring high—it was about finding weaknesses. Identifying weak areas and reviewing those specifically gave me the targeted reinforcement I needed to move from “I sort of understand this” to “I can answer this under pressure.”

Rest and Reflection Before Exam Day

Many people underestimate the value of rest. But after pushing hard for nearly two weeks, taking the day before the exam to relax, sleep well, and clear my mind helped me perform far better during the actual test.

What I Would Do Differently

Even though the plan worked, there are things I would consider doing differently if I had more time:

Incorporating Real-World Scenarios Earlier

While I relied heavily on AWS documentation, I could have started scenario-based thinking earlier in the process. Reviewing use cases—like securing cross-account APIs or implementing data classification at scale—helps connect theory to real-world applications faster.

Building a Personal Lab Environment

Although I had years of AWS experience, those without extensive hands-on exposure would benefit greatly from spinning up a controlled lab environment. Even just testing IAM policies, CloudTrail trails, GuardDuty findings, or KMS key usage in a sandbox account can deepen your understanding quickly.

Using AWS Whitepapers Strategically

I intentionally skipped deep dives into whitepapers during my 12-day prep to stay efficient. But if you have more time, I recommend reading whitepapers like the AWS Well-Architected Framework (Security Pillar), the Encryption whitepaper, and the IAM Best Practices guide. These are written in the style AWS favors in their exams.

Core Lessons Learned

As I reflect on this experience, there are several lessons that stand out beyond the technical knowledge.

Preparation is About Strategy, Not Time

You don’t need months to pass a certification exam—you need a strategy. With a focused, domain-aligned plan, even complex certifications like the AWS Security Specialty can be tackled efficiently. It’s about deliberate effort, not just long hours.

Clarity Comes from Constraints

Limiting myself to 12 days forced me to cut out distractions, avoid rabbit holes, and get clear on what really matters. When your time is limited, you learn to study smarter, not longer.

Real Growth Happens in the Process

The exam result was gratifying, but the real growth came from pushing myself, facing uncertainty, and making decisions under pressure. These are the same qualities that matter in real-world cloud security roles.

Give Credit Where It’s Due

This achievement wasn’t just about planning or discipline—it was a blessing. I give all credit to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Chris, for the clarity, energy, and grace I needed to complete this journey successfully.

How to Apply the Knowledge Post-Certification

The certification isn’t the end. It’s a launch point for applying your skills in your organization, your consulting practice, or your learning path. Here’s how I’ve already applied some of the knowledge gained:

Improved our CloudTrail setup to enable organization-level governance
Reviewed and tightened IAM role assumptions between accounts
Integrated GuardDuty findings with response automation via EventBridge
Worked with compliance teams to align key management policies with business objectives
Created internal training materials based on lessons from this journey

The value of passing this exam is best realized when the knowledge is used to drive real-world impact.

Encouragement for Candidates

If you’re thinking about pursuing the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam, know this:

It’s difficult, but achievable.
You don’t need expensive courses to succeed.
You do need focus, curiosity, and commitment.
Your hands-on experience is more valuable than any flashcards.
Don’t just chase the badge—chase the growth.

Whether you study over two weeks or two months, make every day count. Lean on official resources, test your understanding, and remember that rest is part of the process.

Clearing the AWS Security Specialty exam in 12 days was a challenge of both skill and discipline. It deepened my understanding of cloud security and reinforced my belief that focused effort, guided by faith and purpose, can lead to significant achievement.

To everyone reading this who is considering or currently preparing for this exam: you’ve got this. Stay disciplined. Trust the process. Know why you’re doing it. And when it gets hard, remember that the growth you gain through preparation is more lasting than the certificate itself.

Final Thoughts

Looking back on this 12-day journey to earning the AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification, one thing is clear: the process taught me far more than the exam itself ever could. It wasn’t just about passing a test—it was about renewing focus, sharpening discipline, and reaffirming what really drives my learning and growth.

In a world full of shortcuts and quick fixes, there’s something powerful about committing fully to a challenge, pushing through resistance, and walking out on the other side with both knowledge and character refined. For me, this journey was an act of stewardship—of time, experience, and opportunity. And I’m incredibly grateful for it.

To anyone embarking on this path: don’t underestimate your ability to rise to the occasion. Whether you have 12 days or 12 weeks, show up with intention. Learn with purpose. And don’t forget to pause and recognize how far you’ve come along the way.

Most importantly, never lose sight of the Source of your strength. For me, it was the grace, peace, and clarity given to me by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that made all the difference.

Now that the badge is earned and the milestone crossed, the real journey continues—the journey of securing what matters, building with integrity, and helping others do the same.