Cloud computing has seen a significant rise in the technology market sector, with many services being provided by leading suppliers such as Google. Google Cloud computing services provide a safe and helpful environment for making work easier while reducing expenses and resources. And, in order to make it a success, certifications are critical for professionals to improve their expertise and give better solutions.
However, in order to stay on track, Google must keep up with the latest technologies and advances. That is to say, the certification and its content must be updated to reflect current technology. So that applicants can take advantage of the opportunity by learning new skills. So, to better understand let’s check out the changes and modifications in the GCP exams including the list of its active exams.
What’s new in the Google Certifications?
1. Addition of Looker’s Certification
Looker Certification exams are well known for validating data expert skills. Candidates will be able to distinguish themselves as experts in the data world by demonstrating their Looker expertise by acquiring a certification in this area. This aids in the expansion of your CV by demonstrating established talents that will lead to a stable job.
You must know that as of July 1, 2021, Looker Certification and registration are now migrated to Google Cloud.
The Looker offers two certifications:
1. Looker Business Analyst
A Looker Business Analyst uses Looker daily for creating and curating content, developing reports, and using visualizations for representing data. For this exam, a Business Analyst must have the ability to use Looker for querying data and creating actionable metrics, validating data accuracy, and applying procedural concepts to identify error sources. They should know how to apply procedural concepts for curating content for intuitive navigation and control it for security. However, the exam checks the candidate’s ability for:
- Firstly, scheduling and sharing Looks and dashboards
- Secondly, table calculations
- Thirdly, looker expressions
- Fourthly, custom and advanced filters
- Then, impacts of pivoting
- Lastly, best practices around designing dashboards
Exam Course Outline
The topics areas include:
- Analyze
- Build
- Curate
Further, the exam time duration is 100 minutes and the questions will be of type multiple choice and multiple select. The cost of the exam is $250 and is available in the English language. Lastly, the recommended experience for the exam is that the business analysts must have more than 5 months of experience using Looker for report development, data visualization, and dashboard best practices.
2. Looker LookML Developer
A Looker LookML Developer operates with datasets and LookML and has proficiency with SQL and BI tools. They have knowledge in model management, including troubleshooting existing model errors, implementing data security requirements, building LookML objects, and maintaining LookML project health. Further, the LookML Developers plans new LookML dimensions and measures and creates explores for users to answer business questions. They know how to maintain quality, use version control to analyze code quality, and use SQL runner for data validation. This test, on the other hand, will assess a candidate’s ability to:
- Firstly, maintaining and debugging LookML code
- Secondly, creating user-friendly Explores
- Thirdly, designing robust models
- Fourthly, defining caching policies
- Lastly, understanding various datasets, associated schemas, and looker tools like:
- Looker IDE
- Text editor
- Looker’s SQL Runner
- Content Validator
- LookML Validator
- Version control
Exam Course Outline
The topic areas include:
- Model management
- Customization
- Optimization
- Quality
Further, the exam time duration is 100 minutes and the questions will be of type multiple choice and multiple select. The cost of the exam is $250 and is available in the English language. Lastly, the recommended experience for the exam is that the business analysts must have more than 5 months of experience using Looker for report development, data visualization, and dashboard best practices.
2. New Foundational Exam: Cloud Digital Leader
A Cloud Digital Leader can articulate the abilities of Google Cloud core products and services and how they benefit organizations. They have the skills to explain common business use cases and how cloud solutions support an enterprise. This Cloud Digital Leader exam job role does not require hands-on experience with Google Cloud. However, the exam checks candidates knowledge in three areas:
- Firstly, general cloud knowledge
- Secondly, general Google Cloud knowledge
- Lastly, Google Cloud products and services
Further, the exam time duration is 90 minutes and the questions will be of type multiple choice and multiple select. The cost of the exam is $99 and is available in the English language. Lastly, the exam can be taken as online proctored from a remote location or as onsite proctored from a testing center.
3. New Professional Machine Learning Engineer Exam
A Professional Machine Learning Engineer can develop, construct, and generate machine learning models for solving business problems utilising Google Cloud technologies and has a working understanding of established machine learning models and approaches. They examine responsible AI throughout the ML development process and collaborate closely with other job roles for ensuring the long-term success of models. Moreover, the ML Engineer has familiarity with all aspects of model architecture, data pipeline interaction, and metrics interpretation. And, an understanding of training, retraining, deploying, scheduling, monitoring, and improving models, the ML Engineer designs and builds scalable solutions for optimal performance. Further, the exam check candidates in the following areas:
- Firstly, Frame ML problems
- Secondly, Architect ML solutions
- Thirdly, Design data preparation and processing systems
- Next, Develop ML models
- Then, Automate & orchestrate ML pipelines
- Lastly, Monitor, optimize, and maintain ML solutions
Further, the exam time duration is 2 hours and the questions will be of type multiple choice and multiple select. The cost of the exam is $200 and is available in the English language. Lastly, the recommended experience for the exam is to have more than three years of industry experience including one plus years of experience in designing and managing solutions using Google Cloud.
4. Retirement of Google Workspace (G-Suite) Exam
G Suite (Google Workspace) provided the ability for completing common workplace activities using cloud-based tools for creating and sharing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and files. However, it is constantly evolving, and with that evolution comes the challenge for the learner to sharpen their skills. That is to say, users expect to have a deep understanding of all applications within the Google Workspace product set and executing advanced functions inside those applications. But, sadly, the Google Workspace exam does not meet these requirements. That’s why the Google Workspace Exam was retired effective December 31, 2020.
Things you must know about G-Suite:
- Firstly, the Google Workspace certification has a 2-year expiration date. This means that you will continue to be certified until your credential expires. And, there is no recertification for this exam.
- Secondly, if your certification expired and you did not retake the exam before December 31, 2020, then, you cannot recertify.
Above we have covered the changes and modifications in the Google Cloud Exam. Now, its time to take a quick reviewof all the GCP exams.
Summing up the GCP Exams
1. Foundational Certification
The foundational level certification verifies knowledge of cloud concepts and Google Cloud products, services, tools, features, benefits, and use cases, specifically understanding the capabilities of Google Cloud.
Exams: Cloud Digital Leader (New Exam)
2. Associate certification
The associate-level certification is focused on the basic skills of deploying, monitoring, and maintaining projects on Google Cloud.
Exams: Associate Cloud Engineer
3. Professional certification
Professional certifications examine advanced skills for designing, implementing, and managing.
Exams:
- Professional Cloud Architect
- Professional Cloud Developer
- Professional Data Engineer
- Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Professional Cloud Security Engineer
- Professional Cloud Network Engineer
- Professional Collaboration Engineer
- Professional Machine Learning Engineer (New Exam)
4. Looker’s Certification
Looker Certification exams are well known for validating data expert skills. By earning a certification in this, candidates will be able to stand out as an expert within the data community by showcasing their Looker knowledge. This helps in expanding your resume with proven skills that will provide a secure career.
Exams:
Final Words
Above we have understood the changes and updates related to the Google certification and training. Google performs these modifications with its exams and training in order to stay up to date with the latest technology. Individuals who achieve this certification will also benefit from learning the most up-to-date abilities. Make use of the given information to keep up with the newest GCP developments. Also, determine which exam is most appropriate for you and begin studying for it.
