Track Progress Across Multiple Cloud Certs Easily

Arjun Patel

Arjun Patel writes about tech certification prep methods from a self-study perspective. Bangalore-based · cert…

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Quick answer: Track progress by using a shared spreadsheet for all certs, color-code study sessions, and set weekly goals. Review weak areas monthly and adjust study plans. Tools like Notion or Excel help keep focus sharp and avoid overlap.↗ Share on X

Why Tracking Progress Matters When Studying for Multiple Cloud Certs

READ ALSOAWS Solutions Architect vs DevOps Engineer: Which Path Fits You? →What Is the Ideal Daily Study Routine for PMP Exam Success? →Cheap but powerful AWS certification study tools for working people →

Studying for two or more cloud certifications at once can feel like juggling fire. Without a clear system, you waste time on repeated topics or miss weak spots. I remember juggling AWS Solutions Architect and Microsoft Azure Administrator exams while working full-time. My first mistake? Using separate notebooks for each cert. I lost track of what I had studied and where I needed more work.

A good tracking system does three things:

• Shows what you’ve covered and what’s left.
• Highlights weak areas before they become big problems.
• Keeps you motivated by showing small wins every week.

Without this, progress feels invisible. You study hard but don’t know if you’re improving. That’s why I now use one shared sheet for all my certs. It changed everything.

Use One Shared Spreadsheet for All Certs

The simplest way to track progress is a single spreadsheet. I use Google Sheets because it’s free and works on any device. Create tabs for each certification. In each tab, list all exam domains (topics) in one column. Next to them, add columns for:

• Date studied
• Time spent (in minutes)
• Notes on what you learned
• Confidence level (1-5)
• Next review date

Color-code rows by domain. For example, green for topics you know well, yellow for weak spots, and red for areas you haven’t touched. This visual map helps you see gaps at a glance.

I once studied for AWS and Google Cloud at the same time. Without a shared sheet, I kept reviewing AWS EC2 multiple times while ignoring Google Cloud’s Compute Engine. The shared sheet showed me the overlap. I adjusted my plan to focus more on Google Cloud’s unique services like Cloud Run. That saved me weeks of wasted time.

Set Weekly Goals with Clear Milestones

READ ALSOMaster AWS Solutions Architect with Free Hands-On Labs →How to Build a Weekly Study Schedule for AWS Certifications While Working Full‑Time →Free Resources That Speed Up Your AWS Certification Success →

Big cert goals feel overwhelming. Break them into weekly targets. For example, aim to finish one domain per week. Or complete 10 practice questions daily. Write these goals in your spreadsheet under a "Weekly Targets" tab.

Track progress weekly by checking off completed tasks. If you miss a goal, adjust the next week’s target instead of giving up. Flexibility is key. I once planned to finish Azure networking in two weeks but got stuck on subnets. I moved the deadline and focused on labs instead. The next week, I caught up easily.

Use the 80/20 rule: spend 80% of time on weak areas and 20% on strong ones. This keeps progress steady without burnout.

Review Weak Areas Monthly with Practice Tests

Every month, run a full practice test for each certification. Use official practice exams or trusted platforms like Whizlabs or Udemy. Record your scores and note which domains scored lowest.

Compare these scores to your spreadsheet notes. You’ll spot patterns. For example, you might see that AWS IAM questions always trip you up. Add extra labs or flashcards for IAM the next month.

I once ignored my monthly review for three months. My AWS Security specialty score dropped from 75% to 60%. After restarting monthly tests, my score climbed back to 85% in two months. Small reviews prevent big failures.

Avoid Overlap Between Certs with a Topic Map

Cloud certifications share many topics. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud all cover networking, security, and compute. Without a plan, you’ll study the same thing multiple times. That wastes time and energy.

Create a topic map. List all shared topics in one column. In the next columns, write which certs cover that topic and how deep the coverage goes. For example:

This map tells you where to focus. Spend more time on AWS networking since it’s weighted heavily there. For Azure, just skim networking basics.

I used this method when studying for AWS SysOps and Azure Administrator. My study time dropped by 30% because I stopped repeating topics. My scores improved too.

Use Tools to Automate Tracking and Stay Motivated

Spreadsheets work, but tools can make tracking easier. Notion is great for visual learners. Create a database for each cert with properties like:

• Study date
• Topic
• Time spent
• Confidence rating
• Next review date

Notion lets you filter by confidence level or domain. You can see all weak areas in one click. I switched from Google Sheets to Notion for my DevOps certs. The Kanban view helped me move tasks from "To Study" to "Done" faster.

Another tool is Obsidian for note-taking. Link your notes to cert topics. When you review, you can jump straight to your weak spots. I use Obsidian to connect my AWS notes with Azure notes. It saves time when switching between certs.

Balance Study Time with Real Work Demands

Studying multiple certs while working full-time is tough. Your job will demand time too. Accept that some weeks, you’ll study less. The key is to keep the system flexible.

Use the "Two-Day Rule": never skip study for two days in a row. Even 15 minutes counts. On busy weeks, just review flashcards or watch a short video. Consistency beats intensity.

I once had a project deadline that took three weeks. I studied only 30 minutes daily instead of two hours. My scores dipped slightly, but I didn’t lose progress. When the project ended, I caught up quickly.

Adjust Your Plan Based on Feedback Loops

Your tracking system should give you feedback. If you’re consistently scoring low on a topic, change your approach. Add more labs, watch different videos, or join study groups.

Feedback loops also help with motivation. When you see progress in your spreadsheet or tool, it fuels your drive. I once felt stuck on AWS Lambda. After adding more hands-on labs, my confidence jumped from 2 to 4 in two weeks. That small win kept me going.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many people start strong but lose track. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Separate notes for each cert: Leads to confusion and wasted time.
• No review schedule: Weak areas pile up until exam day.
• Ignoring weak spots: Focusing only on what’s easy.
• Unrealistic goals: Setting daily hours that burn you out.
• No feedback loop: Not adjusting study methods based on results.

I made all these mistakes at first. Each one cost me weeks of progress. Once I fixed them, my study efficiency doubled.

Final Checklist for Your Tracking System

Here’s a quick checklist to set up your system today:

1. Create one shared spreadsheet or tool (Google Sheets, Notion, Excel).

2. List all exam domains for each cert in separate tabs or databases.

3. Add columns for date, time, notes, confidence, and next review.

4. Color-code rows by progress (green, yellow, red).

5. Set weekly goals and review them every Sunday.

6. Run full practice tests monthly and adjust weak areas.

7. Build a topic map to avoid overlap between certs.

8. Use tools like Notion or Obsidian for better organization.

9. Keep study time flexible but consistent.

10. Review feedback weekly and adjust your plan.

Follow this system, and you’ll stay on track even when juggling multiple certs. Progress will be visible, motivation will stay high, and exams will feel less scary.

My Real Experience: Juggling AWS and Google Cloud

When I studied for AWS Solutions Architect and Google Cloud Associate Engineer at the same time, I thought I could handle it alone. I used separate notebooks and no tracking system. After two months, I realized I was repeating topics and missing key areas. My practice test scores stayed flat.

I switched to a shared Google Sheet with color-coding. I built a topic map to avoid overlap. I set weekly goals and reviewed monthly tests. Within three months, my AWS score jumped from 65% to 82%. My Google Cloud score went from 58% to 78%. The tracking system turned chaos into control.

Keep It Simple, Stay Consistent

Tracking progress doesn’t need to be complex. Start small. Use a spreadsheet. Set weekly goals. Review monthly. Adjust based on results. That’s it.

Many people overcomplicate tracking. They try fancy apps or complex methods. But the best system is the one you’ll actually use. For me, it’s Google Sheets and Notion. For you, it might be a bullet journal or a simple app.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. Keep it simple, stay consistent, and you’ll pass your certs without burning out.

Frequently asked questions

How do I avoid studying the same topic multiple times across different cloud certs?

Create a topic map listing shared topics and their coverage in each cert. Focus more on high-weight topics for each exam. Use color-coding in your tracking sheet to highlight overlaps and adjust study time accordingly.

What’s the best tool to track progress for multiple cloud certs?

A shared spreadsheet like Google Sheets works well for most people. Tools like Notion or Obsidian offer better organization for visual learners. Pick one that fits your style and stick with it.

How often should I review weak areas in my study plan?

Review weak areas monthly using full practice tests. Adjust your study plan based on the results. Weekly goal reviews help catch small gaps before they grow.

What if I miss a weekly study goal due to work or personal reasons?

Don’t stress. Adjust the next week’s goal instead of giving up. Use the Two-Day Rule: never skip study for two days in a row, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Can I track progress for certs from different vendors like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud in one place?

Yes. Use one shared spreadsheet or tool with separate tabs or databases for each cert. Add columns for domains, study time, confidence, and review dates. Color-code rows to see progress at a glance.