The AWS Certified AI Practitioner (AIF-C01) exam is a 65-question, 100-minute test designed for individuals who want to validate their understanding of AI/ML on AWS — without deep coding. If you're planning to take it, you need to know exactly how the exam is structured, how it's scored, and what to expect on test day. Here's the breakdown, straight from the official exam guide (verify details on the AWS portal, as the exam guide is updated periodically).
Exam at a Glance
- Number of questions: 65 (includes 5 unscored questions)
- Time limit: 100 minutes
- Format: Multiple choice, multiple response
- Delivery: Pearson VUE (online proctored or test center)
- Passing score: 700/1000 (scaled score)
- Cost: Varies by country — verify the current fee on the official AWS page (fees were last revised in early 2026)
Section-by-Section Breakdown
The AIF-C01 exam has four domains. Each domain contributes a specific percentage to the overall score. Here's the official weightage:
Domain 1: Fundamentals of AI and ML (20%)
- Basic ML concepts: supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement learning
- Model types: regression, classification, clustering
- Key terms: features, labels, training, inference, overfitting
Domain 2: Fundamentals of Generative AI (24%)
- Core concepts: foundation models, transformers, tokens, context window
- Prompt engineering basics
- Model selection criteria (e.g., latency, cost, accuracy)
Domain 3: Applications of Foundation Models (36%)
- AWS services: Amazon Bedrock, SageMaker JumpStart, Amazon Q
- Use cases: text generation, summarization, chatbots, image generation
- Responsible AI: bias, fairness, transparency
Domain 4: Guidelines for Responsible AI (20%)
- AI ethics, governance, and compliance
- AWS AI service features for responsible AI (e.g., guardrails, transparency)
- Best practices for building trustworthy AI systems
Time per Section
The exam does not split time by section. You have 100 minutes for all 65 questions. That's roughly 1.5 minutes per question. The 5 unscored questions are randomly distributed, so you won't know which ones they are. Budget your time accordingly — don't get stuck on a single question.
Marking Scheme
- Each question is worth equal marks.
- Multiple-choice questions have one correct answer.
- Multiple-response questions ask you to select two or three correct answers from five or more options.
- No negative marking — wrong answers don't subtract from your score.
- Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score of 100–1000. You need 700 to pass.
Pass Criteria
- You must score 700 or above on a scale of 100–1000.
- There is no penalty for guessing, so always answer every question.
- The exam is not adaptive — every candidate sees the same set of questions.
- You'll receive a pass/fail result immediately after the exam, but your detailed score report takes up to 5 business days.
What to Expect on Test Day
- You'll get a 15-minute tutorial before the exam (not counted in your time).
- You can flag questions and review them before submitting.
- For online proctored exams, ensure a stable internet connection and a clean workspace.
- The exam is available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese (verify availability on the official portal).
How to Prepare for the AIF-C01 Pattern
- Know the domains: Focus on Domain 3 (Applications) — it's the heaviest at 36%.
- Practice with timed mocks: Simulate the 100-minute, 65-question format.
- Learn AWS services: Bedrock, SageMaker, and Q are essential.
- Review responsible AI: It's 20% — don't skip it.
- Take the official AWS practice exam to get a feel for question style.
Take a free AWS Certified AI Practitioner demo mock to find out where you stand: Try the demo →
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Ignoring unscored questions: You can't tell which are unscored, so treat all equally.
- Overthinking multiple-response: Read the prompt carefully — it will say "select two" or "select three."
- Not managing time: If you're stuck, flag and move on. Return if time permits.
- Memorizing instead of understanding: The exam tests concepts, not code.
Final Word on the Exam Pattern
The AIF-C01 exam is straightforward in structure but requires broad knowledge across AI/ML fundamentals, generative AI, AWS services, and responsible AI. The 65-question, 100-minute format is manageable if you've practiced with realistic mocks. Focus on the weightage — spend more time on Domain 3 and Domain 2.
See AWS Certified AI Practitioner mock-test packs and pricing: View plans →