If you want to become a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps. With the right training, you can easily upgrade your skills and add to your resume.
Start by learning the ins and outs of the Google Cloud Platform. Then create a GCP account and familiarize yourself. You can enroll in free Google training courses and use free practice tests to study for the exam. Once you’re ready, take the final exam. Your certification is valid for two years. After that, you’ll need to renew it again.
Read on to learn more about the Google Cloud Platform, how it works, and what steps you can take to join the GCP community, and earn the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification is a credential offered by Google Cloud that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, developing, and managing solutions on the Google Cloud Platform.
To earn this certification, you must demonstrate knowledge and skills in several areas, including:
- Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture.
- Managing and provisioning the infrastructure.
- Ensuring compliance and security.
- Optimizing technical and business processes.
- Managing implementation and migration.
Achieving the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification can help you advance your career in cloud computing and demonstrate your proficiency in the Google Cloud Platform.
Let’s discuss the seven steps that you can take to prepare and earn the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification.
#1. Understand the Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
The first step in becoming a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect is to have a strong understanding of the platform.
This includes key concepts such as virtual machines, storage options, and networking. You should also know GCP’s key services like Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Cloud SQL.
A basic overview of the Google Cloud services is a solid place to start your journey. Once you’ve covered your bases, you can start looking into the details.
The best way to learn about this platform is through reading reports, watching videos, and exploring the GCP console. Google also provides various free resources for learning about GCP, such as Qwiklabs.
#2. Gain Experience
There is no better way to properly acquaint yourself with the Google Cloud Platform than by using it.
Once you’ve made your free GCP account, experiment with the various available features. Try building simple applications, creating a virtual network, or deploying virtual machines to get familiar with the platform.
While trial and error is the best way to learn the nuances of the GCP platform, you can also learn from the experiences of other professionals. Join GCP communities to connect with other professionals and pick up their tips and tricks!
There are many communities online, including the Google Cloud Certified Community, the Google Cloud User Group, and Learning & Certification Hub. You can also explore smaller groups in your area until you find the one that works best for you!
You can use Google Cloud Skills Boost to find a learning path, which contains a collection of courses, quests, and labs that have been curated to boost your cloud skills in a particular area.
#3. Enroll in Training Courses
Google offers a range of training courses for individuals looking to become GCP certified. These courses cover all the concepts necessary to pass the Professional Cloud Architect certification exam. Some popular courses include:
> Architecting with Google Cloud Platform – This course covers GCP fundamentals, including computing, storage, and networking, and prepares you for the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam.
> Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Architect – This course is explicitly designed to prepare you for the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam.
You can enroll in these courses online through the Google Cloud website and Pluralsight. Try not to rush through the content. Take your time implementing the skills you’ve learned in each lesson.
You can also enroll for free and prepare for the Google Cloud Certification: Cloud Architect Professional Certificate at Coursera.
#4. Prepare for the Exam
The training courses are a valuable resource for learning the ins and outs of the Google Certified Platform. However, completing a certain set of training materials does not guarantee you will pass the exam.
Once you have completed the basic set of training courses, you should upgrade your skillset with targeted exercises. Google provides a comprehensive exam guide outlining the topics covered on the exam.
You should review this guide thoroughly and make a note of any areas you haven’t covered so far.
During the exam for the Cloud Architect Certification, some of the questions may refer you to a case study that describes a fictitious business and solution concept. The following case studies are intended to provide additional context to help you choose your answers. Review the case studies that may be used in the exam.
This will give you solid insight into which topics require additional study. Google’s practice exams let you drill the question sets as you prepare for the real exam. These trial questions are designed using the same formula as the actual exam and can give you an idea of what to expect.
We highly recommend going through a practice test before you sit for the real exam. You can take the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect practice test at Whizlabs.
#5. Take the Exam
When you’re ready, schedule your test with a Google Cloud exam provider. The exam is typically two hours long and consists of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. You’ll need to pay an exam fee of $200.
You must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher to earn your certification.
The good news is that you’ll receive your results as soon as you’ve completed the exam. If you’ve successfully passed it, you will get a certificate and a digital badge to show your enhanced qualifications. Please note that Google does not give your exam score, it’s either you pass or you fail.
- Kryterion: a global provider with over 1,000 testing centers across the world.
- Webassessor: an authorized testing service for Japan.
Google Cloud Associate and Professional certifications are delivered through Kryterion’s Webassessor platform and can be taken either onsite at any available test center around the world or remotely from your home or office. Please check out the resources here if you wish to take online proctored exams.
You can search for a comprehensive list of authorized exam providers on the GCP website. Remember that the testing locations, fees, and registration procedures may vary depending on the exam you take.
Please note that each Google Cloud level of certification has a different cost: The associate exam cost – $125 USD, while the professional exams cost $200 USD.
#6. Maintain Your Certification
Once you’ve passed the exam, your certification will remain valid for two years. After that, you’ll need to retake the exam or complete a relevant certification renewal course.
There are many ways to keep updated on your GCP testing; explore the full range of options and decide accordingly.
#7. Join the Google Cloud Certified Community
Finally, you should consider joining the Google Cloud Certified Community. This is an online group for professionals who hold GCP certifications. Being a part of it gives you an opportunity to network with other professionals.
Finding and joining the community is extremely easy. You can use LinkedIn, Facebook, or the Google Cloud website to find a group that works for you. Joining an online community also allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
See Also: How to prepare and pass the Google Cloud Certified – Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE).
Other Google Professional Certificates
Google Cloud just announced three new Professional Certificates – the Google Advanced Data Analytics, Google Business Intelligence Professional, and Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificates.
Building upon the skills acquired in the popular, entry-level Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, these two new advanced-level Certificates help learners continue to develop in-demand skills. All of these Certificates are taught by Google Instructors and take about 2-6 months to complete.
The Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate is a 7-course series that focuses more on building regression and machine learning models, applying statistical methods to investigate and create data visualizations, and communicating insights from data analysis to stakeholders. Advanced-Data Analytics has over 144,000 open jobs and the median salary for entry-level roles is $118,000. Professionals in this field are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting extremely large amounts of data. These jobs require manipulating large data sets and using advanced analytics including machine learning, predictive modeling, and experimental design.
The Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate is a 3-course series that focuses on designing data visualizations that answer business questions, practicing data modeling and ETL processes, and creating dashboards. Business Intelligence has over 166,000 open jobs and the median salary for the entry-level role is $96,000. Professionals in this field collect, organize, interpret, and report on data to help organizations make informed business decisions. Some responsibilities include measuring performance, tracking revenue or spending, and monitoring progress.
The Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate doesn’t require previous experience or education, and all it takes is six months for beginner-level learners to get hands-on practice in Linux, Python, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and SQL. This is an exciting opportunity for new learners to launch their careers and gain in-demand skills in cybersecurity.
Final Thoughts
This simple seven-step process will help you become a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect and develop a full range of skills within the GCP field.
Once you’ve completed the training and courses, you can demonstrate your expertise in designing, developing, and managing scalable solutions on the Google Cloud Platform.
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-Charbel Nemnom-
