About This Domain
Domain 2 — Fundamentals of Generative AI — accounts for 24% of the AIF-C01 certification exam. This domain evaluates your understanding of what generative ai is and how it differs from traditional ml, foundation models: pre-training, fine-tuning, and transfer learning, transformer architecture and attention mechanisms, and related concepts. Domain 2 covers generative AI concepts, foundation models, transformer architecture, tokens, embeddings, and the fundamentals of how large language models work. To pass this section you need practical knowledge of how these services and patterns work together in real-world architectures.
What You'll Be Tested On
- What generative AI is and how it differs from traditional ML
- Foundation models: pre-training, fine-tuning, and transfer learning
- Transformer architecture and attention mechanisms
- Tokens, tokenization, and context windows
- Embeddings and vector representations
- Model parameters: temperature, top-p, top-k, and their effects
Key AWS Services in This Domain
Study Strategy for Domain 2
This domain represents 24% of the total exam, making it a significant scoring area. Balance theoretical study with hands-on practice. Use practice quizzes to identify weak spots and review the topics where you score below 75%.
Exam Tips for Domain 2
Understand how transformers use self-attention to process sequences.
Know what temperature, top-p, and top-k control in model outputs.
Know the difference between pre-training, fine-tuning, and prompt engineering.
Understand tokens — they are not always whole words, and context window limits matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions on the AIF-C01 exam come from Domain 2?
Domain 2 (Fundamentals of Generative AI) makes up 24% of the AIF-C01 exam. The exam has 65 scored questions, so approximately 16 questions will come from this domain.
What services should I focus on for Domain 2?
The key services for this domain include Foundation Models, Generative AI, Bedrock, Deep Learning, Prompt Engineering. Make sure you understand how each service works, its use cases, and how they integrate with one another.
How should I prepare for Fundamentals of Generative AI questions?
Start by reviewing the key topics listed above, then practice with domain-specific questions. Focus on understanding real-world scenarios rather than memorizing facts. Use our practice quizzes to test your knowledge and review explanations for any questions you get wrong.
What's the best order to study the AIF-C01 domains?
Many candidates start with the highest-weighted domains first. For the AIF-C01 exam, the domains in order of weight are: Fundamentals of AI and ML (20%), Fundamentals of Generative AI (24%), Applications of Foundation Models (28%), Guidelines for Responsible AI (14%), Security, Compliance, and Governance for AI Solutions (14%). However, start with whichever domain aligns best with your existing experience.
Practice Domain 2 Questions
Test your knowledge of Fundamentals of Generative AI with practice questions from our AIF-C01 question bank.
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