Cloud Exam Cheatsheet

In partnership with

Hey there,

Whether you’re grinding through AZ-104 or preparing to crush the AWS Solutions Architect Associate, you’ve probably realized: passing these exams isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about what you avoid doing wrong.

This week, we’re breaking down the most common landmines in Azure and AWS certification exams. Learn from others’ mistakes so you don’t have to repeat them.

Let’s dive in 👇

If someone forwarded this email to you, please consider clicking the button below to join 100K+ other cloud professionals on their cloud certification journey!

Also check out our Learn Azure and Learn AWS apps to help pass those exams on the first try.

1. Memorizing Instead of Understanding

The Mistake:

Many candidates try to brute-force their way through certification by cramming definitions, service names, and cheat sheets. The result? They freeze on scenario-based questions that require applying—not just recalling—knowledge.

Fix It:

Focus on why each service exists and the problems it solves. Instead of just knowing that Azure Blob Storage is for unstructured data, understand when it’s better than Disk or File Storage. Ask yourself: “What’s the business use case?” The exams are scenario-based, so build mental models that help you apply the knowledge. Try explaining the service to a non-tech friend—if you can do that, you truly understand it.

2. Skipping the Hands-On Practice

The Mistake:

You’ve watched 10+ hours of video, read the docs, and feel “ready”—but when you open the console, you’re lost. Skipping hands-on practice is like learning to swim by reading a book.

Fix It:

Book knowledge only takes you so far. The exams often describe real-world configurations—something you can’t fake without console time. Set up a free Azure or AWS account and recreate the examples you learn. Deploy an app, configure permissions, spin up a VM, or simulate a workload. It doesn’t need to be production-grade—just hands-on. Our apps help link concepts to the exact labs and resources that give you that muscle memory.

3. Running Out of Time on the Exam

The Mistake:

It’s easy to get stuck overthinking early questions, leaving you scrambling in the final 20 minutes. Worse, you might miss the easy ones at the end.

Fix It:

You get one shot at time management—so practice with the clock ticking. Divide your total minutes by the number of questions and stick to a rhythm. Learn to recognize “sinkhole questions” that aren’t worth 10 minutes of your time. Use practice tests with a timer on to simulate the pressure. After every session, review where you slowed down and refine your pacing. Remember: a good strategy can earn you 5–10 extra questions answered correctly.

Stay up-to-date with AI

The Rundown is the most trusted AI newsletter in the world, with 1,000,000+ readers and exclusive interviews with AI leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Demis Hassibis, Mustafa Suleyman, and more.

Their expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI and talking with industry experts, then distills the most important developments into one free email every morning.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

4. Ignoring the Official Exam Outline

The Mistake:

Some learners rely entirely on YouTube playlists or Udemy courses, not realizing they might be overemphasizing one domain and skipping another that’s worth 30% of the score.

Fix It:

Download the official guide (Microsoft or AWS provides one for every exam) and use it like a checklist. Every domain has a weight—and that weight = points. Prioritize your study time based on what’s most tested. For example, if Azure’s Identity & Governance makes up 30%, give it 30% of your time. Let your learning be data-driven, not content-random. You’ll retain more and score better.

5. Falling for Tricky Wordplay

The Mistake:

Scenario questions often use subtle qualifiers—like “most secure,” “least effort,” or “most cost-effective.” Misreading them leads to the right answer for the wrong question.

Fix It:

Words like “least effort,” “cost-effective,” or “most resilient” are not filler—they’re the real question. Start practicing active reading. Highlight key qualifiers. If two answers look right, the wording is often the clue. Make a habit of translating the question into your own words: “Which of these options gives me the lowest maintenance overhead?” Then go with that frame. It’s how the best test-takers stay sharp.

6. Confusing Similar Services

The Mistake:

SQS vs SNS. Azure Functions vs Logic Apps. Blob vs Disk Storage. Mixing them up is common—and deadly on test day.

Fix It:

Build a simple matrix or table comparing each service’s purpose, when to use it, pricing model, and limitations. Then test yourself daily. Create flashcards where the question is a real-world scenario and the answer is the correct service. Knowing that SQS is for decoupling with queues and SNS is for pub/sub messaging seems easy—until you’re under pressure. Our app’s flashcard mode helps reinforce these subtle but critical differences.

Start learning AI in 2025

Keeping up with AI is hard – we get it!

That’s why over 1M professionals read Superhuman AI to stay ahead.

• Get daily AI news, tools, and tutorials

• Learn new AI skills you can use at work in 3 mins a day

• Become 10X more productive

Sign up and start mastering AI

7. Underestimating Identity & Access Management

The Mistake:

Many learners skip IAM or RBAC until the end, thinking it’s just terminology. In reality, these questions often trip up even advanced users because they’re nuanced and scenario-heavy.

Fix It:

Treat IAM like it’s its own mini-certification. Draw out how policies apply to users, roles, and groups. Know the difference between identity-based and resource-based access. In Azure, understand how RBAC differs from ABAC. In AWS, know how trust policies differ from permission policies. Spend time configuring these settings in a sandbox and then trying to break them—that’s when it clicks. You’ll not only pass your exam—you’ll be ready to use these tools at work.

8. Not Reviewing Pricing or SLA Questions

The Mistake:

Cloud cost and SLA questions feel like business-side trivia—but they show up often, and missing them could cost you a pass.

Fix It:

Create a lightweight “Pricing & SLAs” study sheet. Focus on relative costs (not exact numbers), pricing calculators, and the impact of things like egress charges or data durability guarantees. Know which services offer 99.99% uptime and which don’t. These aren’t obscure topics—Microsoft and AWS want you to understand the economics of the cloud. Our app includes quick-access links to pricing documentation to make reviewing easier.

9. Not Simulating Real Test Conditions

The Mistake:

Doing casual practice in 5-question bursts doesn’t prepare you for the stamina or mental sharpness needed for a 2–3 hour exam.

Fix It:

Set aside one or two study sessions where you take a full-length exam, start to finish. Turn off music, put your phone away, and recreate the test-day environment. You’ll identify fatigue points, pacing issues, and mental lapses—things you’d never notice in a 10-question quiz. Don’t just review your incorrect answers afterward—ask why you got them wrong. Was it timing? Misreading? Lack of knowledge? That insight is gold.

10. Studying in Isolation

The Mistake:

Flying solo can lead to blind spots. You might think you’re prepared—until someone points out a weak area you overlooked.

Fix It:

You don’t have to go it alone. Join certification-focused subreddits, Slack channels, or Discord servers. Follow hashtags like #AzureCert or #AWSCert on LinkedIn or Twitter. Ask questions, share tips, and celebrate small wins. And if you’re using our app, take advantage of the explanations and performance feedback to guide your solo study. A community—even a virtual one—makes the journey faster and more fun.

✅ Ready to Avoid These Mistakes?

Our apps are built specifically to help you not fall into these traps. You’ll get:

• 🧪 Full-length, timed practice exams with real explanations

• 📚 Flashcards and cheat sheets tailored to your cert

• 🔗 Quick links to official docs, labs, and reference pages

• 📊 Performance tracking to pinpoint your weak areas

👉 Download Learn Azure

👉 Download Learn AWS

Sponsor Us:

Want to reach 100,000+ cloud and data enthusiasts? Sponsor our newsletter and gain valuable exposure for your brand! Send us an email to learn more.