AWS and PMP at the Same Time: A 16-Week Dual Study Plan
Quick answer: Yes, you can prepare for both, but do not give them equal time at once. Pick one primary exam, schedule it first, and give it about 70% of your study hours while the other gets light review. After the first exam, flip the split. Plan on roughly 16 weeks at 8 to 10 hours a week.↗ Share on X
You can study for an AWS certification and the PMP exam at the same time, but the trick is not to split your time 50/50. Choose one exam as your main focus, book it first, and give it about 70% of your study time. Keep the other one warm with short, light sessions. After you pass the first exam, flip the split. For most working adults, this takes about 16 weeks at 8 to 10 hours a week.
Here is how to choose the order, a week-by-week plan, and the habits that keep two very different exams from turning into one big mess in your head.
Why is studying for both at once so hard?
AWS Exam Rescheduling Rules: How to Keep Your Exam Fee →
Cloud Cert Study Log: Track Focused Hours That Count →
Spaced Repetition for AWS Exams: A 6-Week Flashcard Plan →The two exams test different parts of your brain.
| AWS (Cloud Practitioner or Associate) | PMP | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Cloud services, pricing, security, architecture | Leading projects, people, process, agile and predictive methods |
| Question style | "Which service solves this?" | "What should the project manager do next?" |
| Best study tool | Hands-on labs + practice tests | Situational practice questions + mindset |
| Memorization | Heavy (service names, use cases) | Moderate (terms, processes) |
| Prerequisites | None required | Project experience + 35 hours of training |
When you switch between them every day, you lose time "warming up" each session. You also start mixing up vocabulary. That is why one exam needs to lead.
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Which exam should you take first?
Ask yourself these four questions:
1. Is your PMP application already approved? PMI reviews applications and may audit some of them. If you have not applied yet, start that paperwork now, because it takes time no matter what.
2. Which one does your current job need sooner? If your boss wants you leading a cloud migration next quarter, AWS may come first.
3. Which exam are you closer to ready for? A quick win builds confidence for the harder one.
4. Which AWS exam are you taking? Cloud Practitioner is a much lighter lift than Solutions Architect Associate.
A simple rule: if your PMP paperwork is done, lead with PMP. If not, lead with AWS and submit your PMP application during the first few weeks so it is ready when you switch.
What does a 16-week dual study plan look like?
No IT Experience? How to Pick Your First Cloud Cert →
How to Pass the PMP Exam: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide →
Cloud Cert Notes: Cut Them to 1 Page per Domain Before Exam →This plan assumes you take AWS first and PMP second, at about 9 hours a week. If you lead with PMP, swap the two columns.
Phase 1: Weeks 1–7 (AWS primary, PMP light)
| Week | AWS focus (about 6–7 hrs) | PMP focus (about 2–3 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloud concepts, global infrastructure, create a free-tier account | Read the exam content outline; submit application if not done |
| 2 | Compute: EC2, Lambda, auto scaling | Project life cycles: predictive vs agile |
| 3 | Storage: S3, EBS, storage classes | Agile basics: Scrum roles and events |
| 4 | Networking: VPC, subnets, security groups | Stakeholder and team topics |
| 5 | Security: IAM, shared responsibility model | 20 practice questions, review each answer |
| 6 | Billing, pricing, support plans; first full practice test | Light review only |
| 7 | Weak areas + two more full practice tests; take the AWS exam | Rest from PMP this week |
Phase 2: Weeks 8–16 (PMP primary, AWS light)
| Week | PMP focus (about 7–8 hrs) | AWS focus (about 1 hr) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | People domain: leadership, conflict, team building | Write a one-page summary of what you learned |
| 9 | Process domain: scope, schedule, cost | Repeat one lab you struggled with |
| 10 | Process domain: risk, quality, procurement | Skim AWS updates or a blog post |
| 11 | Business environment: compliance, value, change | Nothing required |
| 12 | Agile and hybrid deep dive | Nothing required |
| 13 | First full-length PMP practice exam (timed) | Nothing required |
| 14 | Review every wrong answer; target weak domains | Nothing required |
| 15 | Second and third full-length practice exams | Nothing required |
| 16 | Light review, rest, take the PMP exam | — |
Why keep a little AWS in Phase 2? Because the hands-on cloud knowledge helps you on the job, and an hour a week stops it from fading completely.
How should you split a typical study week?
Here is a sample week during Phase 1, built for someone with a full-time job:
- Monday (1 hr): Watch AWS lessons on one topic.
- Tuesday (1.5 hrs): Do a hands-on lab on that topic.
- Wednesday (45 min): PMP reading or video.
- Thursday (1 hr): AWS practice questions on the week's topic.
- Friday: Off.
- Saturday (3 hrs): AWS review + one longer lab or a practice test.
- Sunday (1.5 hrs): PMP practice questions + review.
Notice the pattern: heavy days go to the main exam, short days go to the second one. Never do a full session of both on the same night. You will burn out fast.
How do you keep the two subjects from blurring together?
1. Use separate notebooks or digital folders. Mixing notes makes review slower.
2. Use different times or places. For example, AWS at your desk in the evening, PMP on your phone during lunch. Your brain links the subject to the setting.
3. Make two flashcard decks. One for AWS service names and use cases, one for PMP terms and processes. Review each in a separate sitting.
4. End each session with a 3-line summary. Write what you learned, what confused you, and what to review next time.
5. Do not take both exams in the same week. Leave at least a week of focused prep before each one.
How do you know you are ready to book the exam?
Practice tests are the best signal. Use these checkpoints:
- You can finish a full practice exam within the official time limit.
- Your practice scores are steady across two or three different tests, not just one lucky run.
- You can explain why each wrong answer is wrong, not just pick the right one.
- For AWS, you can name the right service for a common need without looking it up.
- For PMP, your answers follow the "servant leader" approach: you talk to the team, look at the root cause, and follow the process before escalating.
If your scores are uneven, add one more week rather than rushing.
What if your schedule falls apart halfway?
It happens: a work deadline, a sick kid, a trip. Here is how to recover without starting over:
1. Do not try to "catch up" by doubling hours. That usually leads to quitting.
2. Slide the whole plan one week. Move your exam date if the testing center allows it.
3. Protect the main exam. Drop the light sessions for the second exam until you are back on track.
4. Keep a minimum. Even 20 minutes of practice questions on a busy day keeps the habit alive.
Which study resources make sense on a budget?
You do not need to buy everything. A lean setup:
- AWS: the official AWS Skill Builder free courses, the AWS free tier for labs, and one set of paid practice exams.
- PMP: a course that gives your 35 contact hours, the PMI exam content outline (free to download), and one high-quality practice question bank.
Before you pay for anything, check whether your employer reimburses certifications or offers training platforms. Many companies do, and it is worth asking HR.
Is doing both at once even a good idea?
It can be. Project managers who understand cloud basics can talk to engineers more clearly and estimate cloud work more realistically. Engineers who understand project management can lead teams and talk to business stakeholders. The combination makes a strong resume line.
But be honest with yourself. If you are already stretched thin, doing them back to back with a one-week break in between is just as good and much less stressful. The plan above is really a back-to-back plan with a small overlap, which is the version most people can actually finish.
Your next step
Tonight, take 15 minutes to decide which exam is your primary one using the four questions above. If PMP is second, start your PMI application this week so it is approved by the time you need it. Then open your calendar and block the study sessions for weeks 1 and 2 using the sample week, with heavy days for the main exam. Finally, set a target exam date for your first certification about seven weeks out and write it at the top of your notes. A date on the calendar turns "someday" into a real plan.
FAQ
Which should I take first, AWS or PMP?
If you already have your PMP eligibility hours and 35 contact hours done, many people take PMP first because the application and audit process has a set timeline. If you work hands-on in the cloud, the AWS exam is often the faster win. Pick the one that helps your current job most.
Which AWS certification pairs best with PMP?
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the lightest and pairs well for project managers who lead cloud projects. Solutions Architect Associate is much deeper and better for technical people moving into project leadership.
How many hours a week do I need?
Plan on about 8 to 10 hours a week for a 16-week dual plan. If you can only manage 5 hours, stretch the plan to around 24 weeks instead of cutting topics.
Can I use the same study method for both?
Partly. Both reward practice questions and reviewing why wrong answers are wrong. AWS also needs hands-on lab time, while PMP needs practice with long situational questions.