AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C03) Practice Test
Prepare for the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam with free practice tests built around the official SCS-C03 exam guide. Each test has 20 questions with a proportional timer matching the actual exam pace of approximately 2.6 minutes per question.
Mixed Set — AWS Certified Security Specialty Practice Tests
Questions distributed across all 6 domains according to the official SCS-C03 exam blueprint. Higher-weighted domains like Identity and Access Management (20%) and Infrastructure Security (18%) appear more frequently — just like the real exam.
Domain Wise — AWS Certified Security Specialty Mock Tests
Target individual SCS-C03 domains with focused practice. Each mock test covers 20 questions from a single domain to help you build the specialized depth the AWS Security Specialty exam demands.
About the AWS Certified Security – Specialty Exam
Everything you need to know about the SCS-C03 exam format, eligibility, and what makes the AWS Security Specialty one of the most respected advanced credentials in cloud security.
What Is the AWS Certified Security – Specialty?
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C03) is Amazon Web Services' premier advanced security certification. It validates deep expertise in securing AWS workloads across identity management, threat detection, incident response, infrastructure protection, data encryption, and multi-account governance. The SCS-C03 version launched in December 2025, introducing restructured domains and new coverage areas including generative AI security and updated incident response responsibilities.
The certification is widely sought by security engineers, cloud architects, SOC analysts, and DevSecOps professionals working in AWS environments. AWS Certified Security – Specialty holders see salary premiums of 25 to 35% over non-certified peers, with U.S. salaries typically ranging from $130,000 to $180,000. The credential validates the skills needed for roles including AWS Security Engineer, Cloud Security Architect, Security Operations Lead, and Compliance Specialist.
Exam Format (2026)
Exam code: SCS-C03 (launched December 2, 2025; replaces the retired SCS-C02).
Questions: 65 total — 50 scored questions plus 15 unscored research questions not identified during the exam.
Duration: 170 minutes.
Question types: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, ordering (place steps in correct sequence), and matching questions.
Passing score: 750 on a scaled score of 100–1,000. Uses a compensatory model — no per-domain minimum required.
Exam fee: $300 USD via Pearson VUE (online or test center).
Eligibility Requirements
Recommended experience: 3 to 5 years of experience securing cloud solutions, including hands-on AWS security work.
No mandatory prerequisites: AWS does not require prior certifications. However, most successful candidates hold the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or equivalent before attempting this exam.
AWS knowledge expected: Shared responsibility model, IAM at scale, multi-account governance, encryption methodologies, logging and monitoring, incident response, and vulnerability management in the cloud.
Renewal: Certification is valid for 3 years. Recertify by passing the latest exam version or completing an online renewal assessment. AWS provides a 50% discount voucher for your next exam upon certification.
SCS-C03 Domain Weights — 2025–2026 Exam Guide
The SCS-C03 exam tests expertise across six domains. Weights are from the official AWS exam guide published December 2, 2025, and reflect the proportion of scored questions per domain on the actual exam.
| Domain | Topic | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1 | Detection | 16% |
| Domain 2 | Incident Response | 14% |
| Domain 3 | Infrastructure Security | 18% |
| Domain 4 | Identity and Access Management | 20% |
| Domain 5 | Data Protection | 18% |
| Domain 6 | Security Foundations and Governance | 14% |
How Our Practice Tests Are Designed
Scenario-based question style — The SCS-C03 exam is built around real-world security scenarios, not trivia. Our questions follow the same format: a multi-sentence scenario describes an AWS environment, a security requirement, or an incident, and you must identify the correct AWS service configuration, policy design, or remediation path. This mirrors the depth and phrasing of actual exam questions.
Blueprint-aligned mixed sets — Mixed practice tests distribute questions proportionally across all 6 domains per the official SCS-C03 exam guide. Identity and Access Management (20%) appears most frequently, followed by Infrastructure Security and Data Protection (18% each), with Incident Response and Security Foundations weighing in equally at 14% — matching the real exam distribution exactly.
Proportional timer — The real exam allows 170 minutes for 65 questions, approximately 2.6 minutes per question. Each 20-question practice test is timed at about 52 minutes to replicate this pace and build the time discipline you need before exam day.
Domain-specific deep dives — Use domain-wise tests to isolate weak areas. Because SCS-C03 covers a broad range of highly specialized AWS services — from GuardDuty and Macie to KMS multi-Region keys and AWS Organizations SCPs — targeted domain practice is especially effective for closing knowledge gaps efficiently.
SCS-C03 Exam Preparation Tips
Study Strategy
Start with the official SCS-C03 exam guide: The AWS exam guide published in December 2025 outlines every task statement and skill. Read it carefully to identify which AWS services and configuration patterns you need to master. Flag anything unfamiliar for hands-on lab work.
Prioritize IAM and KMS: Identity and Access Management (20%) and Data Protection (18%) together represent more than a third of the exam. Master IAM policy types — resource-based, identity-based, permission boundaries, SCPs, and session policies — and understand how AWS KMS handles CMKs, key policies, and cross-Region replication.
Build hands-on experience in AWS: The SCS-C03 is designed to test applied skills, not memorized facts. Work directly in the AWS console and CLI with GuardDuty, Security Hub, AWS Config conformance packs, and VPC security configurations. Hands-on exposure with these services is the single most effective preparation strategy.
Test-Taking Strategy
Read for the constraint: Most SCS-C03 scenarios include a key constraint — least privilege, no long-term credentials, cost efficiency, or regulatory compliance. Identifying that constraint before evaluating answer choices eliminates two or three options immediately and focuses your selection.
Know your service boundaries: AWS has many overlapping security services. AWS WAF handles web-layer filtering; AWS Shield defends against DDoS; Firewall Manager enforces WAF and Shield rules at scale across accounts. GuardDuty detects threats; Security Hub aggregates findings; Macie identifies sensitive data in S3. Knowing precisely what each service does prevents common mix-up errors.
Pace at 2.6 minutes per question: With 170 minutes and 65 questions, you have adequate but not generous time for lengthy scenario questions. Use our 52-minute timed practice tests to build the habit of committing to answers efficiently rather than rereading questions indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Test Your AWS Security Knowledge?
Start with a mixed set to benchmark your readiness across all 6 SCS-C03 domains, then use domain-specific tests to sharpen the areas where you need the most work.
Start SCS-C03 Practice Test 1 →
