AWS stands for Amazon Web Service. AWS interview questions check your knowledge if you have hands-on experience in configuring and managing various AWS services.
These questions do not only focus on words. They focus on real use. If you understand how to solve a problem, then you can answer well. For this reason, practical skill is important. Sometimes the question is about one tool and sometimes it is about a whole system. The goal is to find out if you can do real work.
Some questions are short. Some are based on full situations. You may get asked how to set up a network. Or how to make a service fast. Or how to keep data safe.
By this way, interviewers learn what you know. They also learn how you think.
Why Do Interviewers Ask AWS Questions?
Interviewers want to know your skills regarding Amazon Web Services. They want real answers. Not only what you read. For this reason, they ask AWS questions.
Interviewers check your ability. You must know how to use the cloud. You must also know what each service does.
They test your thinking. If something fails, what will you do? If the system slows down, can you fix it?
They ask how you set things up. Maybe create a server. Maybe build a network. Maybe protect the data.
They check cost use. So, you need to avoid waste. Turn off what you do not use. Use automation if needed and Save time.
If they ask questions, they learn about your choices. By this way, they know how you build and manage systems.
25 AWS Interview Questions
Here are 25 AWS interview questions. These are often asked. Some are simple. Others are used in advanced roles. There also not difficult, but you have to have practical experience.
Each one includes a reason and a short answer. So, you can understand both the question and how to answer.
1. What is Amazon EC2?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They check if you understand how AWS runs virtual machines.
Example Answer: Amazon EC2 means Elastic Compute Cloud. You use it to start and stop cloud-based computers. These are called instances. If you want to run an app. Then you launch one or more EC2 instances. You can change the size. You can also increase or decrease the number of instances. We can add or remove spaces on-demand. This is why EC2 is powerful.
2. What is the difference between stopping and terminating an EC2 instance?
Why You Would Be Asked This: Interviewers check if you know how to manage resources and save cost.
Example Answer: Stopping turns the instance off. But the data stays. You can start it later. Terminating deletes the instance. The data is gone. If you cease to using temporarily, you will want to stop it. And in case you no longer need the instance, you may decide to terminate it. This is how you reduce cost.
3. Explain Amazon S3.
Why You Would Be Asked This: They check how you store and access data in AWS.
Example Answer: S3 means Simple Storage Service. It stores files like images or logs. These files are called objects. They are kept in folders called buckets. S3 is easy to use and super cost effective. It works with various systems. So, it is often used for backup and data sharing. For even cheaper storage, S3 Glacier is used for data that is infrequently accessed or archived.
A person points at a MacBook screen displaying the Amazon S3 dashboard with labelled icons for "S3 Bucket" and "Object" in a clean, modern office setting.
4. What are IAM roles and policies?
Why You Would Be Asked This: Interviewers test if you understand how to control who does what.
Example Answer: IAM lets you manage users. You can also manage services and polices. A policy is a rule. It determines what is allowed. A role is temporary. A person or service can use it for a short time. By this way, access becomes safe and well-managed.
5. What is a VPC in AWS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check that what you know how to create private cloud networks.
Example Answer: A VPC is a Virtual Private Cloud. You make it in your AWS account. You decide the IP range. You make subnets. You add gateways if needed. So, you get full control over the network.
6. What is the difference between Public and Private Subnet?
Why You Would Be Asked This: Interviewers want to know your understanding of internet access.
Example Answer: A public subnet has internet. A private subnet does not. If you want to host a website, then use a public subnet. If you want to keep data safe, then use a private subnet.
7. What is Auto Scaling?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They check if you can handle changes in traffic.
Example Answer: Auto Scaling adds or removes instances. This depends on load. If the load increases, more instances start. If the load drops, some stop. So, the system stays fast. But the cost stays low.
8. What is an Elastic load Balancer?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check how you handle too much traffic.
Example Answer: ELB spreads the traffic. It sends users to different servers. This stops one server from getting too much. If a server is down, ELB skips it. So, the app stays up.
9.How does AWS Lambda work?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They usually check if you know about serverless tools.
Example Answer: Lambda runs your code. You do not take the hassle to configure a server. You just write the function. Then AWS runs it when needed. So, you pay only when the code runs.
10. What are Security Groups?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check if you can allow or block network access.
Example Answer: A Security Group is like a rule book. It lets traffic in or out. You write rules for each direction. If a request follows the rule, it works. If not, AWS blocks it.
11. What is the difference between a role and a user in IAM?
Why You Would Be Asked This: Interviewers wants to know that how to you manage different types of access.
Example Answer: A user is for people. A role is not fixed. You give it to services or apps. A user logs in. A role is used when something needs short access.
12. What are AWS Availability Zones and Regions?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To test if you understand how AWS spreads data.
Example Answer: A region is a large area. It can have many zones. A zone is one place, like a data centre. If one zone fails, others can keep working. This is how AWS ensures reliability.
13. What is Amazon RDS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check if you can use AWS for databases.
Example Answer:RDS is a managed database. You choose the type. AWS takes care of updates and backups. You can scale up or down. You do not handle hardware.
Two engineers sitting in a room are looking at laptop screen showing Amazon RDS - MySQL and Auto Backup.
14. What is the difference between RDS and DynamoDB?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check what you can choose the right tool.
Example Answer: RDS is SQL. It works with tables and rows. DynamoDB is NoSQL. It uses key-value pairs. DynamoDB is better for fast changes. RDS is better for complex queries and write-heavy applications. DynamoDB is designed to handle big data efficiently.
15. What is CloudWatch?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To test to you how can track AWS services.
Example Answer: CloudWatch watches your system. It collects logs. It shows graphs. You can add alarms. If something breaks, you get a message.
16. What is S3 Versioning?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They want to test how you protect files.
Example Answer: Versioning keeps old files. Each file gets a version. If someone changes or deletes a file, you can go back. For this you can stay safe.
17. How do you secure data in transit and at rest in AWS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check what you know encryption basics.
Example Answer: In transit means moving data. Use HTTPS. At rest means stored data. Use KMS. S3 and EBS both support encryption.
18. What is AWS CloudFormation?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They test if you automate system setup.
Example Answer: CloudFormation uses templates. You write the setup. Then AWS builds it. If you need 10 servers, it creates them. This saves time.
19. What is the Shared Responsibility Model in AWS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To check if you know who does what.
Example Answer: AWS protects the cloud. You protect what you put in it. So, you handle your settings and AWS handles hardware.
20. What is Elastic Beanstalk?
Why You Would Be Asked This: Interviewers wants to test you that what you can managing each parts without deploy apps.
Example Answer: You upload your app. AWS makes the rest. It sets up EC2, Load Balancer, and more. You focus on code.
21. What is AWS Route 53?
Why You Would Be Asked This: They check your DNS and traffic skills.
Example Answer:Route 53 is a DNS tool. It sends users to the right place. It also checks if the service is alive. You can also register domains.
22. What is AWS EBS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To test if you understand storage for EC2.
Example Answer: EBS means block storage. You attach it to EC2. It works like a hard drive. It stays safe even if EC2 stops.
23. What is the use of Tags in AWS?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To test what can you organize AWS resources.
Example Answer: A tag is a name you give to a resource. You can sort or search by tags. You can also track cost.
24. What is AWS Trusted Advisor?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To see if you use tools that improve your setup.
Example Answer: Trusted Advisor checks your account. It gives tips. You see how to save money or improve safety.
25. What is the AWS Well-Architected Framework?
Why You Would Be Asked This: To test if you follow design rules.
Example Answer: This framework has five parts. These are cost, security, performance, reliability, and operations. If you follow them, then your system works better.
A person stands near a screen. The screen shows five words. These are cost, security, performance, reliability, operations.
Tips to Prepare for AWS Questions
AWS interviews need preparation. Maybe they ask you technical things. Or, they check how you think. So, try to get ready for both.
Understand Core Services Start with the basics. Learn EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, VPC, IAM. These are used often. If they ask you where to store data. You say S3. If they ask how to manage users, then you talk about IAM. This is why these services are important.
Practice Real Scenarios Use the AWS Free Tier. You can build small systems. Try making an EC2 instance. Try creating a database. Test auto scaling. By this way, you see how the cloud works. You do not only read. You do something. This helps you remember.
Use the STAR Method STAR means Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is for story-type answers. If they ask, "How did you fix a mistake?" Then you start with what happened. Then you say what you did. Then the result. This keeps your answer short and clean.
If you follow these three tips, then you improve. Maybe you feel nervous. That is normal. But with practice, you speak better. You also answer with more clarity.
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The Author
Synco
I believe that success in interviews isn't just about having the right answers—it's about presenting your authentic self in the best light. My advice combines practical tactics with empowering mindset strategies.
