Whether you just failed your first AWS exam or you are planning your certification path and want to understand the rules, this is the complete guide to AWS exam retake policies in 2026.
No fluff. No outdated information. Just the facts you need, plus a strategy to make your next attempt count.
AWS Retake Policy: The Complete Rules
The 14-Day Waiting Period
After any AWS certification exam attempt (pass or fail), you must wait a minimum of 14 calendar days before taking the same exam again.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 14 calendar days from the date of your last attempt |
| Maximum retakes | No limit. You can retake as many times as needed. |
| Fee per retake | Full exam fee required each time |
| Score report | Available immediately after the exam |
| Different exam | You can take a different exam at any time (no 14-day wait for different exams) |
Important clarification: The 14-day rule applies to the SAME exam only. If you fail the Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) today, you could take the Developer Associate (DVA-C02) tomorrow if you wanted to. The waiting period is exam-specific.
What Counts as an Attempt
Any of the following count as an attempt and trigger the 14-day waiting period:
- Completing the exam (pass or fail)
- Being removed by a proctor for a policy violation
- Abandoning the exam after it has started
The following do NOT count as an attempt:
- Cancelling a scheduled exam before it starts
- A no-show (though you lose the exam fee)
- A technical failure that prevents the exam from starting (handled on a case-by-case basis)
Passing the Same Exam
If you PASS an exam, you cannot retake the same exam until your certification is within 3 years of expiring. AWS does not allow you to retake a passed exam just to improve your score.
Exam Fees for Retakes
Retakes cost the same as the original attempt. There are no reduced retake fees by default.
| Exam Level | Standard Fee | With 50% Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational (CCP, AIF) | $100 | $50 |
| Associate (SAA, DVA, SOA, DEA, MLA) | $150 | $75 |
| Professional (SAP, DOP) | $300 | $150 |
| Specialty (SCS, MLS, DBS, ANS) | $300 | $150 |
The Cumulative Cost of Multiple Retakes
This is where retakes get expensive fast:
| Scenario | Attempt 1 | Attempt 2 | Attempt 3 | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational ($100) | $100 | $100 | $100 | $300 |
| Associate ($150) | $150 | $150 | $150 | $450 |
| Professional ($300) | $300 | $300 | $300 | $900 |
| Associate with voucher | $75 | $150 | $150 | $375 |
Notice that the 50% voucher only applies once. If you use a voucher on your first attempt and fail, the retake is full price unless you have another voucher.
Bottom line: Every retake you avoid saves you $100-300. Investing in proper preparation before booking is always cheaper than paying for retakes.
2026 Promotions and Discounts
AWS periodically offers promotions that can significantly reduce your costs. Here are the active and recent offers:
50% Discount Voucher (Ongoing)
Every time you pass any AWS certification exam, you receive a 50% discount voucher for your next exam. This is a permanent, ongoing benefit.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| How to get it | Pass any AWS certification exam |
| Discount amount | 50% off the next exam |
| Valid for | 12 months from date of issue |
| Restrictions | One use only, cannot be combined with other vouchers |
| Where to find it | AWS Certification account under "Benefits" |
Free Retake Promotion (Seasonal)
AWS ran a promotional offer from November 2025 through February 2026 providing a free retake for certain exam registrations.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | First-time exam takers who registered during the promo window |
| Retake window | Within 60 days of the original exam date |
| Where to check | AWS Certification account under "Vouchers" or "Benefits" |
| Combinable | Yes, could be used alongside the 25% discount code |
Note: Promotional offers change regularly. Always check the AWS Training and Certification website for current promotions before scheduling your exam.
25% Off Discount Code (Seasonal)
Alongside the free retake, AWS offered a 25% discount code during the same November 2025 to February 2026 window.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Discount | 25% off any AWS certification exam |
| How to get it | Promotional code distributed through AWS Training emails and events |
| Stackable | Cannot be stacked with the 50% voucher; use whichever saves more |
Employer and Partner Programs
Many AWS Partner Network (APN) companies receive bulk exam vouchers. If your employer is an AWS partner, ask about certification benefits before paying out of pocket.
Smart Retake Strategy
Failing an exam is not the end. But how you approach the retake matters more than whether you retake at all.
Step 1: Analyze Your Score Report
Your score report is broken down by exam domain. AWS uses performance indicators for each domain:
- "Competent" means you performed well in that area
- Lower performance indicators highlight your weak areas
Write down your domain performance from weakest to strongest. This is your retake roadmap.
Step 2: Change Your Study Method
If you studied a certain way and failed, doing the exact same thing will likely produce the same result.
| If You Did This Before | Try This Instead |
|---|---|
| Watched video courses | Read AWS documentation and whitepapers |
| Read documentation only | Do hands-on labs in the AWS console |
| Took practice exams only | Study the explanations, not just the answers |
| Studied all domains equally | Focus 80% of time on your weakest 1-2 domains |
| Studied alone | Join a study group or find an accountability partner |
Step 3: Set a Practice Exam Benchmark
Do not schedule your retake until you are consistently scoring 85% or higher on practice exams. Not 70%. Not 75%. 85%.
Why 85%? Because:
- Practice exams are not identical to the real exam
- Exam-day nerves reduce your performance by 5-10%
- Scoring 85% on practice consistently means you have a strong buffer above the 72% passing threshold
StudyTech AI provides a real-time readiness score that adapts as you study, showing you exactly when you are prepared to book your retake with confidence.
Step 4: Consider Switching Your Testing Method
If your first attempt was online proctored:
- You may have been distracted by your environment
- Technical issues with camera or microphone may have added stress
- The check-in process can eat into your mental energy
If your first attempt was at a test center:
- The formal environment may have increased anxiety
- Travel and logistics may have been stressful
- You might perform better in a familiar setting
Many people report improved performance simply by switching from online to test center or vice versa.
Step 5: Use the Full 14 Days Wisely
The 14-day mandatory wait aligns well with a focused retake study plan:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 | Analyze score report, identify weak domains |
| 2 | Build targeted study plan (15-20 specific topics) |
| 3-7 | Deep dive on weakest domain |
| 8-11 | Deep dive on second weakest domain |
| 12 | Full practice exam under timed conditions |
| 13 | Second practice exam, review all wrong answers |
| 14 | Light review, then take the exam |
Beta Exam Retake Rules
Beta exams have different retake rules than standard exams:
| Rule | Beta Exam | Standard Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Results timing | 3-4 months after beta closes | Immediately |
| Retake during beta | Not allowed | After 14 days |
| Retake after beta | 14-day wait after results | 14-day wait |
| Fee | $75 (half price) | $100-300 |
| Availability | Limited time only | Year-round |
Beta exam strategy: Beta exams cost $75 regardless of the exam level. If you fail a beta exam, you need to wait for results (3-4 months), then wait 14 more days before retaking the production version at full price. The low cost is attractive, but the long feedback loop is a significant downside.
How to Schedule Your Retake
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Log into your AWS Certification account at aws.training
- Navigate to "Manage Exams" or "Schedule an Exam"
- Select the same certification exam
- Choose your testing method (Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online)
- Select a date that is at least 14 days after your last attempt
- Apply any applicable voucher or promotional code at checkout
- Confirm and prepare
Scheduling tip: Book your retake date during the 14-day waiting period. Having a confirmed date creates accountability and helps structure your study time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I retake an AWS exam the next day?
No. AWS enforces a mandatory 14-day (calendar day) waiting period between attempts of the same exam. You can take a different AWS exam at any time, but the same exam requires a 14-day gap.
Do I get a discount on my retake?
Not by default. Retakes cost the full exam fee unless you have a promotional voucher (like the free retake promotion) or a 50% discount voucher from passing a previous exam. Check your AWS Certification account for available benefits before paying full price.
How many times can I retake an AWS exam?
There is no limit on the number of retakes. You can retake an AWS exam as many times as needed, with a 14-day waiting period between each attempt. However, each retake costs the full exam fee.
Is the retake exam different from the first attempt?
AWS draws questions from a large question pool, so your retake will have a different set of questions than your first attempt. The exam topics and domain weights remain the same, but the specific questions will vary.
The Bottom Line
The AWS retake policy is straightforward: 14 days, full price, no limit on attempts. But the real goal is to never need a retake in the first place.
If you do need to retake, use the 14-day window strategically. Analyze your score report, change your study method, target your weak domains, and do not book until your practice scores consistently hit 85% or higher.
Every retake costs $100-300 in exam fees and 14+ days of study time. That money and time is almost always better spent on proper preparation before the first attempt.
If you are preparing for your first attempt or your retake, start with a free gap assessment at StudyTech AI to identify exactly which topics need your attention. Ten minutes of assessment can save you hundreds of dollars in retake fees.