The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) passing score is 700 on a scale of 100 to 1000. That much is published. What's less obvious is that 700 is not 70% of questions right, and that the score works across the whole exam rather than per domain.
A scaled score, not a percentage
AWS reports CLF-C02 results on a scaled 100–1000 range. Scaling lets AWS keep the pass standard the same across different exam forms: if one form happens to be slightly harder, the raw-to-scaled conversion accounts for it. AWS does not publish that conversion, so there is no official "you need X questions right" figure. A commonly cited working estimate is around 70% correct, and it's a reasonable target, but treat it as an estimate, not a rule.
How many questions count
The exam has 65 questions in 90 minutes. AWS includes a number of unscored questions that it uses to evaluate future items; they look exactly like the scored ones and you can't tell which is which. For CLF-C02 AWS states 50 scored and 15 unscored questions. Practically, that means you answer every question as if it counts.
The score covers the whole exam
AWS uses a compensatory scoring model: you pass on the total, not by clearing each domain separately. A strong result in Cloud Technology and Services (34% of the exam) can make up for a weaker one in Billing, Pricing and Support (12%). Your score report shows how you did in each domain, which is useful if you need to retake, but there's no per-domain minimum.
That's also why the domain weights matter for preparation. The two largest domains, Cloud Technology and Services and Security and Compliance, make up almost two-thirds of the score between them.
What happens if you fail
You can retake the exam after a waiting period (AWS currently requires 14 days) and pay the exam fee again. The score report from the failed attempt shows your performance per domain, so you know where to focus. Check AWS's current exam policies before booking, as they can change.
How to know you're ready
- Score consistently above about 80% on full-length, timed practice exams that match the real format, not just on short quizzes.
- Check your weakest domain on each attempt. If one domain stays well below the others, spend a session on it before the next full exam.
- Be able to explain why the wrong options are wrong. Recognising the right answer isn't the same as knowing it.
Start with the free 10-question CLF-C02 diagnostic or the 15 free practice questions with answers. Related: is the Cloud Practitioner exam hard?
Frequently asked questions
What is the passing score for AWS Cloud Practitioner?
700 on a scaled range of 100 to 1000. AWS does not publish the exact number of correct answers that equals 700.
Is 700 the same as 70%?
Not exactly. The score is scaled so that different exam forms have the same standard. Around 70% correct is a common working estimate, but it isn't an official conversion.
Do I need to pass every domain?
No. CLF-C02 uses compensatory scoring: you pass on your total score. Your report shows per-domain performance, but there is no per-domain minimum.
How long do I wait to retake CLF-C02?
AWS currently requires 14 days between attempts, and each attempt is paid. Check AWS's exam policies for the current rules before booking.