The short version
MLA-C02 uses multiple-choice and multiple-response questions only. AWS’s exam guide says scores run from 100 to 1,000 and that 720 passes. The exam is in beta as of October 18, 2026, and the beta numbers (170 minutes, 85 questions) differ from the exam guide’s description (65 questions). Treat the AWS pages as the authority and re-check them when you book.
Time and number of questions
AWS publishes two sets of numbers, and it helps to know why.
- The beta. AWS’s certification page lists 170 minutes and 85 questions for the MLA-C02 beta. Beta exams include extra unscored items that AWS uses to test new questions.
- The exam guide. It describes 50 questions that affect your score plus 15 unscored questions, so 65 in total. It does not state the exam time.
The practical reading: expect the beta to be longer than the standard exam. Once AWS announces general availability, it will publish the final time and count. We do not guess at them here. AWS also says the unscored questions are not identified, so treat every question as if it counts.
AWS adds that some candidates who take the exam in English as a non-native speaker can request an extra 30 minutes. You request it once, in your AWS Certification account, before you register.
Passing score and how scoring works
Results are reported as a scaled score between 100 and 1,000, and the minimum passing score is 720. Scaling matters because different versions of the exam can differ a little in difficulty. A scaled score is therefore not a percentage of questions answered correctly, and 720 is not the same as 72%.
Other scoring rules from the exam guide:
- Unanswered questions count as incorrect, and there is no penalty for guessing. Answer everything.
- The exam is scored compensatorily. You do not have to pass each domain, only the exam as a whole.
- Your score report may show how you did in each section. AWS warns that you should read this with care, because sections have different numbers of questions.
- Multiple-response questions give credit only when you select all the correct answers.
One wrinkle for the beta: the exam guide says its pass or fail designation does not apply to the beta. AWS’s testing policy page says beta candidates are held to the same standard and that those who pass earn the certification. Because those two statements point in different directions, confirm on the AWS pages how results work for your appointment.
Question types
There are two types.
- Multiple choice: one correct answer and three incorrect options.
- Multiple response: two or more correct answers among five or more options. You must select every correct one.
Do not expect simulations or hands-on labs from the exam guide’s list. Expect short scenarios: a team, a requirement, a constraint, and four or five options. The skill being tested is choosing the best AWS service or setting for the constraint. Read our question types guide for general tactics.
Languages
During the beta, AWS offers MLA-C02 in English only, and says more languages will arrive at general availability. If you take a localized exam, AWS says you can view questions in English with a toggle.
Delivery
You can take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or with online proctoring. AWS says online proctoring is available for all its exams through Pearson VUE, and that you must be able to communicate with the proctor.
- Rescheduling and cancelling. AWS allows changes up to 24 hours before the appointment. Each appointment can be rescheduled twice. Inside 24 hours, or if you do not show up, you lose the fee.
- ID. You need valid government-issued ID, and sometimes a second one. The rules differ for test center and online exams, so read AWS’s guidelines for the format you pick.
Our exam day guide covers preparation for both options.
Retakes
For standard exams, AWS says you must wait 14 calendar days after a fail before trying again. There is no limit on attempts, but you pay the full registration fee every time. After a pass you cannot retake the same exam for two years.
The beta has its own rule: each candidate can sit the beta version once. If you want another attempt, you wait for the standard version to be released.
The beta, in plain terms
- Results typically appear in your AWS account within five business days.
- Beta exams are usually offered for one to three months.
- Beta registration opened September 1, 2026, and delivery began September 29, 2026.
- An AWS blog from September 2026 gives January 14, 2027 as the date general-availability delivery begins; the AWS certification page still said TBD on October 27, 2026.
If you prefer to wait for the standard exam, that is a fair choice. A standard exam gives you a final time limit and question count, and a retake path.
More guides for MLA-C02
- MLA-C02 Domains Explained
- MLA-C02 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the MLA-C02 Exam Hard?
- MLA-C02 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- MLA-C02 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is MLA-C02 Worth It? An Honest Look
- MLA-C02 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AIF-C01 vs MLA-C02: Which First?
Next step
Read the study plan to turn the format into a schedule. When you want to rehearse under time pressure, our MLA-C02 practice tests include a full-length set for that.
Frequently asked questions
Is 720 the same as 72%?
No. The score is scaled from 100 to 1,000, so 720 is not a percentage of correct answers.
Is there a penalty for guessing?
No. AWS says unanswered questions are marked wrong and guessing carries no penalty, so answer every question.
Do I need to pass every domain?
No. The exam is scored as a whole, so a weaker domain can be offset by a stronger one.
Can I retake the beta?
AWS says the beta can be taken once. You wait for the standard version if you want another attempt.