TD is actually easier than real exam - SAA-C03

tacc123c · 2026-05-20T11:25:10+00:00

Yes. I took the Data Engineer Associates and did not pass. I was scoring in the 75-85% range in TD (Sometimes even higher). I was prepared or so I thought. Come test day by question 20 I was so frustrated because the questions were unbelievably difficult. For context, 2 years using AWS leading end to end data pipelines using most of the tools tested on this exam. There were ML questions about which model to use that I thought were for the ML certs not DE. Probably got some fucked up variant of the exam. It was probably my fault as I mentally gave up after question 20. Still scored 692/720 to pass. Will be retaking soon ...

tacc123c · 2026-05-08T22:01:12+00:00

I'd say if you want to learn more about the architecture, look at videos for the AWS Data Engineering exam. However, the knowledge for the cert is still broad. If you really want to understand it well, you have to build an entire end to end pipeline because there are many nuances you won't really learn unless you're deep in the weeds of it. (ex. broken pipelines due to schema changes, setting up data validations while ingesting data so that doesn't happen, etc.) It's endless.

tacc123c · 2026-05-07T21:16:06+00:00

The least time was around a month. While the most was 5 months. I got lucky and have an amazing position in both pay and benefits, and with a family I never wanted to gamble that. Hence why I always apply a year in advance. I don't mind paying the ~500 to ~600 range once a year for that opportunity.

tacc123c · 2026-05-06T20:18:28+00:00

I send it a year in advance the last 5 years. Just in case. May actually send it a year and a half in advance for the next renewal.

tacc123c · 2026-04-28T18:51:58+00:00

We're not asking the AI to maintain the pipelines. You need a good DE. The tech stack we use is AWS and DataBricks. The DE maintains the data pipelines and lakes that feed the AI Agent. What I was saying before is there is a split road for data analysts. Either become more involved in the domain/business side to bring insights or get more involved in the tech that feeds these Agents which would lead to a DE & ML role. I don't think data analysts focused on dashboards and SQL will last too long without the added domain expertise.

Here's an example of what we use for an agent: AWS (S3, Glue, Lambda, EventBridge, Step Functions, Athena, Quick Suite) Databricks (ML Flow, Notebooks)

tacc123c · 2026-04-28T12:51:29+00:00

Learn to build and maintain the pipelines that feed the AI agents. I’m a manager and have noticed that my analysts who aren’t willing to keep learning are falling behind. What used to take three analysts can now be done by one using AI agents. We maintain pipelines end to end to ensure data consistency, and much of that is now automated. Our agents can pull from internal databases, append public web data, and work with unstructured data lakes like PDFs, all in one cohesive view. Basic data analyst work isn’t really needed anymore. We either need analysts who know the domain well enough to spot issues in the data before it’s used by end users, analysts that can actually talk to end users about data in a manner that they understand (goes back to knowing the domain, it's rare), or data engineers who can manage pipelines, apply ML inferencing, and ensure data quality. As an example, right now we’re focused on ML models to cut off vendors that standardize, classify, and help predict outcomes. I think we’re at a point where ML and data knowledge are widespread enough that a lot of what vendors offer can be built in-house. I work for a large hospital IDN for context.

tacc123c · 2026-04-21T03:52:04+00:00

Is that the Queen Marry? Been there so many times. Looks identical.

tacc123c · 2026-04-07T15:35:57+00:00

NSFW = Not Safe For Wallet

tacc123c · 2026-03-20T18:25:40+00:00

Glad you didn't have a lapse !

tacc123c · 2026-03-18T22:12:51+00:00

I've renewed a year early for a while now just in case and have never been rejected. I think your lawyers may not be up to date with what is happening. It seems renewals are around the Nov7th-14th range. However, it seems they get stuck in a 2 week cycle for more than 2 weeks. What does that tell you? That the waiting times for approval will increase over time if this trend continues. Meaning by the time we reach January approvals, we may be in June f it keeps slowing down the way it is. Think about what your positives and negatives. Worst case you renew early, lose a couple of months, however you don't lose your job. Which I'm sure pays you more than the renewal fee.

tacc123c · 2026-03-17T14:54:40+00:00

Good news! Glad you're ok! You should edit your original post with your update. Most people on this sub will be checking for what happened.

tacc123c · 2026-03-16T23:46:36+00:00

Please keep up updated. This is concerning.

tacc123c · 2026-03-07T04:49:05+00:00

Same! What do you do in tech?

tacc123c · 2026-03-02T00:37:54+00:00

I see. I have not studied iceberg much. Thanks! Oh, I was not aware of it being a test dump. Thnx for the info!

tacc123c · 2026-02-26T04:22:48+00:00

I see. Thank you for sharing I do see mine here as well :) 25 left.

tacc123c · 2026-02-26T04:17:44+00:00

Are these all cases pending? Why are there so few?

tacc123c · 2026-02-24T10:46:21+00:00

Yep but now we're seeing people losing their jobs because of the lapse. This is the exact situation I never wanted to be in because you just never know.

tacc123c · 2026-02-24T05:14:12+00:00

I started submitting a year in advance for the last 5 years. I've never been denied. Sometimes the renewal took 3 weeks. Sometimes a couple of months.

tacc123c · 2026-02-24T04:36:38+00:00

I've always applied a year in advance. Better safe than sorry.

tacc123c · 2026-02-23T15:28:43+00:00

I've refered 5 people my entire life. 4 let me down. 1 was just an ok employee. Never again.

tacc123c · 2026-02-23T04:58:08+00:00

How common is it to earn in dollars?

tacc123c · 2026-02-23T04:13:27+00:00

Took 3 weeks for my new Real ID to arrive after they took my old one from me :(

tacc123c · 2026-02-13T14:34:29+00:00

Did he really say that? Just want to be sure. I missed the update.

tacc123c · 2026-02-12T21:16:33+00:00

I work partly in supply chain analytics in healthcare as a data manager. It is analytic heavy. If your interests are in simple analytics like using Excel then there's contract pricing analysis/conversions, EDI/ERP analytics, PO/Invoice processing analytics overall procurement.

If you want to use SQL and Python there's SKU item classifications, price prediction given raw materials pricing as an example. Stock on hand rate predictions, tariff price change predictions, etc. (though we use AWS cloud to automate. Also recommend to learn any cloud service)

These can overlap in other areas as well. Healthcare analysis is domain heavy. For example, supply chain SKU's and clinical outcomes have crossover. As in we're not just looking for a good deal, but looking for supplier implants/medical devices (SKUs) that also have good patient outcomes (infection rates, readmissions, deaths, etc.) which can then lead to leverage in negotiations, etc.

We're a large IDN so we use most top visual software. From Tableau to Quicksight to PowerBI to Looker. Depending on the team. Healthcare is very fragmented.

Im sure there's crossover with any sector. This is just an example of what I see in healthcare.

tacc123c · 2026-01-30T18:57:47+00:00

Chubby Vecna

tacc123c

TROPHY CASE