AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
October 9, 2022
The AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty Certification is unlike other AWS Certifications in that it includes both a focus on AWS solutions and Machine Learning in general. This exam was one of the more challenging I have experienced and I spent about 2 months of intense preparation before I passed it. It is geared towards Machine Learning Engineers and requires a fairly in depth knowledge of ML algorithms, hyperparameter optimization, and best practices. As a Technical Program Manager with experience working on Machine Learning Platforms, I had to spend extra time ensuring I understood the logic and application behind common algorithms.
If you need more foundational knowledge in ML, I would recommend starting with the Coursera 'Machine Learning Specialization' course. However, I was able to prepare for and pass the exam with the following study materials (and several years' experience working in ML Ops):
- Study Guide: 'AWS Certified Machine Learning Study Guide: Specialty (MLS-C01) Exam' by Shreyas Subramanian and Stefan Natu
- Udemy Course: AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty 2022 - Hands On!
- Udemy Practice Exams: AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty: 3 PRACTICE EXAMS
To prepare for this course, I set a goal date for my exam and a schedule to follow for studying. I usually watched 1 section of Coursera videos a day and read (or reviewed) 1 chapter of the study guide. Once I had covered all materials, I focused on practice exams and revisiting topics that I was struggling with. Once I averaged over 80% on the practice exams, I scheduled my exam. I chose to do at home proctoring through PSI. I found the at home proctoring to be more stressful due to technical issues and ensuring my space was clear and quiet; if your schedule and situation allows, I would recommend taking the test in a testing center.