AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional Preparation Plan

I recently cleared my AWS SA Professional and here is my recommendation on how to prepare. 

Candidate Profile:

• Cleared AWS SA Associate 2 years back
• Did not take any other certification
• Work as a Cloud Architect focused on AWS

Phase 0

• Purchase course on Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-solutions-architect-professional/
• Purchase Practice Exams on Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/course/aws-solutions-architect-professional-practice-exams-amazon/
• Purchase Practice Exams on WhizLabs - https://www.whizlabs.com/aws-solutions-architect-professional/
• Optional: ACloudGuru and Linux Academy Practice Exams

Phase 1 (2 Weeks)

• During Week 1 take a Friday and following Monday off
• Review each section in the content and categorize the content as easy, medium, difficult
• Review the content again with the goal of converting all difficult topics to medium and medium to easy.
• Schedule an exam on a Saturday 1 month out after completing the content
• Take practice exams from Whizlabs - one each on a Saturday and Sunday during the same time as the exam.

Phase 2 (4 Weeks)

• Review the content for 2 hours daily
• Review the exam mistakes for 1 hour daily
• Take a practice exams from Whizlabs - one each on a Saturday and Sunday during the same time as the exam.
• Once you exhaust all the Whizlabs exams, switch to Tutorialsdojo exams.

Phase 3 (2 Weeks)

• Depending on your ability to handle stress, take the exam or reschedule it 2 weeks out. 
• Do not spend more time than this.

Evaluating a startup pitch

Short compilation of things to watch out for when evaluating a start up pitch -

1. Problem being addressed
2. Disruptive-ness
3. Value proposition
4. Ideal Customer, Need and Urgency
5. Defensibility or Barriers to entry
6. Competitive Advantage - SWOT
7. Market Research
8. Team Diversity and Coach-ability
9. Launch Plan
10. Customer Acquisition Cost and Lifetime Value
11. Exit Strategy
12. Risk - Regulatory, others

Here are a few videos that provide insight into VC funding.

5 steps for effective meetings

Prior to the meeting 

1. Understand the purpose.
2. Delegate if you don't need to be there.
3. Understand your role and the role of other attendees.
4. Block some time and prepare.
5. Reflect on the meeting once done.

GMAT Test Taking Strategy

I would classify myself as a GMAT test taker with the following profile:
- non native speaker.
- above average quantitative skills.
- average verbal skills.
- average essay writing skills.
- work full time

I took GMAT last week and scored 650 (v 32, q 47, awa 5). If you are preparing for GMAT and have profile similar to that of mine, here is my suggestion on how to get a 650+ score.

Preparation Phase 1

Resources: Manhattan GMAT SC, GMAT Pill SC, Powerscore CR Bible, GMAT Pill RC, Official Guide AOI/AOA samples

Duration: Approximately 6 weeks. (4 hours per day)

Invest your time carefully on the above resources and revise thoroughly a couple of times. Once ready, take a diagnostic test in Official Guide to measure yourself.


Preparation Phase 2

Additional Resources:  Official Guide Practice Questions

Duration: Approximately 4 weeks. (2 hours practice + 2 hours review - per day)

Iteration#1

Solve 17 SC, 13 CR, 24 PS, 14 DS, 1 AOI, 1 AOA in one sitting. Analyze the mistakes and create an error log similar to the following. Repeat this processes until you complete all the problems in Official Guide. Do remember to review notes once every week.

Iteration#2

Using error log as the source, repeat iteration#1. Do remember to review notes once every week.

Preparation Phase 3

Additional Resources:  Manhattan GMAT Practice Tests, Manhattan exam simulation pad, GMAT Prep test simulation software

Duration: Approximately 6 weeks. (4 hours review or 4 hours exam)

Travel to the library closest to the exam center and take a MGMAT practice test during the same time as that of the original exam one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Spend the whole rest of the week analyzing the mistakes and brushing up the concepts. Once done with all the 6 exams, take a mock GMAT Prep test. Repeat the process once again. Generate an assessment report (a feature available in MGMAT tests) and create a personal error log and concentrate more on the mistakes committed. If your average of GMAT Prep is 650+, schedule your exam. If not, follow instructions in phase 4.

Preparation Phase 4

Additional Resources: Quantitative 700+, Brutal SC, Brutal CR (All from www.gmatclub.com)

Duration: Approximately 4 weeks. (4 hours per day as required)


Travel to the library closest to the exam center and take a MGMAT practice test during the same time as that of the original exam one on Saturday and another on Sunday. Spend the whole rest of the week analyzing the mistakes and brushing up the concepts. Once done with all the 6 exams, take a mock GMAT Prep test. Repeat the process once again. If your average of GMAT Prep  is 700+, you can be sure of getting same score in the actual test. If not, GMAT is not worth any more of your time you have to live with the score you get. Schedule your exam and get done with it.


Approach

Answering a tough question correctly improves your score more than answering an easy question correctly.

Answering an easy question incorrectly lowers your score more than answering a tough question incorrectly.

Ensure that there are no consecutive errors. So if you have to guess, guess alternate questions.

Have a preset template to answer essay questions

Discussion Forums:
http://www.beatthegmat.com/
http://gmatclub.com/