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How to Pass (GCP) Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect?

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Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is one of the fastest-growing cloud computing platforms, offering a range of services for hosting, managing, and deploying applications and infrastructure. As businesses continue to move their operations to the cloud, the demand for skilled cloud architects has increased exponentially. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect is a highly respected and recognized certification in the industry, validating the expertise of an individual in designing, developing, and managing robust, scalable, and secure cloud solutions.

A Professional Cloud Architect permits organizations to leverage Google Cloud technologies. With a thorough understanding of cloud architecture and Google Cloud Platform, the individual can style, develop, and manage robust, secure, scalable, highly obtainable, and dynamic solutions to drive business objectives.

More and more companies are opting for cloud services, which eventually has augmented the demand for people with expertise in this skill. Therefore, it has become highly crucial to know how to handle a cloud service. In this blog, we will discuss the essential tips and strategies to pass the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam and boost your career in cloud computing.

GCP Cloud Architect Glossary

Here are some key terms and definitions related to Google Cloud Platform (GCP) architecture:

  1. Compute Engine: A virtual machine (VM) service that lets you create and run VMs on Google’s infrastructure.
  2. Kubernetes Engine: A managed service for running containerized applications on GCP.
  3. Cloud Storage: A highly durable and available object storage service for storing and retrieving data.
  4. Cloud SQL: A managed service for running relational databases on GCP.
  5. Cloud Bigtable: A fully managed NoSQL database service that is designed for large, high-performance workloads.
  6. Cloud Pub/Sub: A messaging service that enables asynchronous communication between independent applications.
  7. Cloud Functions: An event-driven, serverless computing platform that allows you to run code in response to events.
  8. Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM): A service that provides centralized access control for GCP resources.
  9. Cloud Deployment Manager: A service that automates the creation and management of GCP resources.
  10. Cloud Monitoring: A monitoring and logging service that allows you to monitor the health and performance of your GCP resources.

Preparation resources for the GCP Cloud Architect exam

Google Cloud offers a variety of resources to help you prepare for the Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Architect exam. Here are some official preparation resources:

  1. Exam guide: The Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Architect exam guide provides a detailed outline of the exam, including the topics covered and the skills tested. It also provides information about exam format and scoring.

Link: https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-architect

  1. Sample questions: Google Cloud provides sample questions to help you prepare for the exam. These questions cover the same topics as the actual exam and can help you gauge your readiness.

Link: https://cloud.google.com/certification/sample-questions/cloud-architect

  1. Practice exam: Google Cloud offers a practice exam that is designed to simulate the actual exam experience. Taking this exam can help you identify areas where you need to improve your knowledge and skills.

Link: https://cloud.google.com/certification/practice-exam/cloud-architect

  1. Official training: Google Cloud offers official training courses that cover the topics tested on the exam. These courses are taught by Google Cloud experts and provide hands-on experience with Google Cloud products and services.

Link: https://cloud.google.com/training/certification/cloud-architect

Why certification in Google Cloud Architect?

Increase in demand of cloud service professionals in IT industry has made cloud service popular than ever before. It has been observed that people are involving more in cloud services and therefore, certification in Google Certified Professional – Cloud Architect came into picture. 

  • High Demand and Destined to Grow: As stated earlier, nowadays employers look after people who are IT professionals. They have a much better understanding which help them to build their career around IT industry. Moreover, it helps them create a cloud environment into their infrastructure as evident as possible. By taking a comprehensive cloud computing training and certification, you are one step closer to a job which will offer you growth and success.
  • Door to a Better-Paid job: This title is a clear statement and speaks for itself. Who doesn’t like a job which pays better? Certification in cloud service is not just an ornament in your living room; however it will surely raise your chances to get a job which pays better. In addition, certification is an investment which offers you the rewards at the right and required time.  The Google Certified Professional – Cloud Architect Salary is $164,000 annually on an average.
  • Knock-Down the Opponent at Job Interview: We all know the hustle behind job-hunt situation. Job interview often makes people anxious and worried. Remember those sweaty hands and shivery legs. It’s time to bid goodbye to all these things. All these interview problems can be eliminated if you have a proper and reliable certification. In other words, certification in cloud services can certainly increase your chances of getting selected for the job in the first round and you may walk out with a job letter in your hand. 

Benefits of GCP Cloud Architect Certificate Exam

Before you land a job in cloud service, it becomes important for you to know the key benefits attached to cloud architect certification. Following are a few benefits which might help you find the answer –

  • Demonstrates your skills to design, develop, administer, and manage solutions on GCP
  • Identifies you as a Google Cloud Certified professional globally
  • Validates your expertise and skills to work with Google Cloud technologies
  • Results in overall improved capabilities as Cloud Architect
  • Add a credential to your resume and help you stand out of the crowd
  • Bring more job opportunities and increase your chances to get a better job

If you wish to board your voyage to Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification, it is highly important to know what it exactly is. Further, Exam overview is a simple and brief way to guide and deliver the relevant information about the exam which is required to be known by the applicant. Professional Cloud Architect Certification is basically designed for professionals who have in-depth knowledge to work with Google Cloud technologies.

Professional Cloud Architect – Exam Details

  • Firstly, the certification associated is Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect.
  • Secondly, there will be multiple choice and multiple select types of questions in the exam.
  • Thirdly, there will 40 questions with a time duration of 2 hours.
  • The Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Exam Cost is $200 USD.
  • This exam is valid for 2 years.
  • Lastly, the exam can be given in English and Japanese Language.

Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Requirements

After scrolling through the exam details, make sure you are an eligible candidate for the exam. Not everybody is eligible for every other exam. Therefore, it becomes important for the aspirant to read the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Eligibility section thoroughly.

  • Firstly, Good understanding of Google technology cloud architecture
  • Ability to design, develop and manage secure, robust, highly scalable, available, and dynamic solutions
  • Proficiency in various aspects of developing solutions involving prototype development, implementation details, and best architectural practices. 
  • Lastly, Experienced in multi-tiered distributed applications and micro-services

Exam Outline

Google has divided the entire syllabus into different sections and then into subject areas. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification Course topics are as follows:

Domain 1: Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture (24%)

1.1 Designing a solution infrastructure that meets business requirements. Considerations include:

1.2 Designing a solution infrastructure that meets technical requirements. Considerations include:

1.3 Designing network, storage, and compute resources. Considerations include:

1.4 Creating a migration plan (i.e., documents and architectural diagrams). Considerations include:

1.5 Envisioning future solution improvements. Considerations include:

Domain 2: Managing and provisioning a solution Infrastructure (15%)

2.1 Configuring network topologies. Considerations include:

2.2 Configuring individual storage systems. Considerations include:

2.3 Configuring compute systems. Considerations include:

Domain 3: Designing for security and compliance (18%)

3.1 Designing for security. Considerations include:

3.2 Designing for compliance. Considerations include:

Domain 4: Analyzing and optimizing technology and business processes (18%)

4.1 Analyzing and defining technical processes. Considerations include:

4.2 Analyzing and defining business processes. Considerations include:

4.3 Developing procedures to ensure reliability of solutions in production (e.g., chaos engineering, penetration testing) (Google Documentation: Patterns for scalable and resilient apps)

Domain 5: Managing implementation (11%)

5.1 Advising development/operation team(s) to ensure successful deployment of the solution. Considerations include:

5.2 Interacting with Google Cloud programmatically. Considerations include:

  • Google Cloud Shell
  • Google Cloud SDK (gcloud, gsutil and bq)
  • Cloud Emulators (e.g. Cloud Bigtable, Datastore, Spanner, Pub/Sub, Firestore)
Domain 6: Ensuring solution and operations reliability (14%)

6.1 Monitoring/logging/profiling/alerting solution (Google Documentation: Introduction to alerting, Alerting behavior)

6.2 Deployment and release management (Google Documentation: Google Cloud Deployment Manager)

6.3 Assisting with the support of solutions in operation (Google Documentation: Cloud Monitoring, Operations)

6.4 Evaluating quality control measures (Google Documentation: Google security whitepaper)

Now, moving forward in the blog.

What makes Google Cloud Architect Certification exam difficult?

There is no denying the fact that Google Professional Cloud Architect plays a crucial role in building one’s career. In other words, once you clear the exam, you are on your road to success. 

Some exams are not duck soup to participate and achieve success in. Being upfront, Professional-Cloud-Architect IT certification exam falls under the same category. Reason being, there are limited Professional-Cloud-Architect study materials and lack of professional guide in the real market which can offer help to the potential candidates. 

Another reason why Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Exam Difficulty is high and is not easy to achieve lies in the process of certification which revolves entirely around professionally performing the Cloud Architect role, rather than around the platform itself. This adds a great value to it because doing this can better-represent real-world ability. However, this can turn as a major disadvantage to the candidates as many questions have nothing to do with Google.


Exam Resources 

I think it’s important to study from a variety of good resources and understand as many as concepts possible. Different resources have different sets of knowledge and understandings. However, revision should be something subjective within academic life. Therefore, it is crucial to match the type of revision you are doing with your resource material. 

Check this Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Study Guide which incorporates important exam resources that will help you keep updated with the current developments for the exam:


1. Google Exam Guide

Google exam guide should be your first stop. I can totally vouch for this one. The guide is not just a course but it also contains different case studies that describe a fictitious business and solution concept. This case study is intended to provide additional context to help you choose your answer(s) which can benefit you for the Google Cloud Architect exam Preparation. Therefore, you must go through this particular guide before you move on to any other study material.

2. Google Cloud Platform Documentation

This is the second most important thing that you must study, right after the exam guide. It will help you understand all the aspects of the Google Cloud Platform from a developer’s perspective. It refers to a comprehensive yet precisedocumentation, guides, and resources for Google Cloud Platform products and services. Moreover, it can act as a tool which helps you decide which real-world application you would want to work with based on GCP, once your certification is done.

3. Google Cloud Solutions Reference Guide

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is basically a portfolio of cloud computing services. It helps you solve your toughest business challenges and explore new opportunities with Google Cloud. In other words, this is a straightforward reference guide for everything that can be accomplished using Google Cloud Platform. A unique feature of this guide is that it also lists various companies that partner with Google Cloud to create and run them. This way, by the time you finish your study of the material, you will have a working knowledge of all the big and small players involved in the industry.

4. Google Cloud Platform Blog

Change in cloud results to change in policies that govern it. With the advent of new technologies and ever-changing political policies, it is quite difficult to keep up with the latest developments in the field. However, this hurdle can be crossed if you have a dedicated source of information that can be trusted. The Cloud Platform blog by Google is the right place for you. In addition, by going through this blog on a regular basis, you will keep on getting the latest information whenever you decide to attempt the exam.


5. Mock Tests

Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Practice Tests are somewhat similar to final exams where the paper pattern is similar and so is the marking scheme used to gauge actual potential and iron out your weaknesses. In other words, the main aim of mock test is to identify your strong and weak areas. Solving mock test gives you an idea about the final exam. It helps you to analyse yourself and identify where you stand. Moreover, it gives you a score at the end to know your result. Testprep Training offers you both free and paid practice tests for the Google Cloud Architect exam preparation. You can try practice test right now by clicking on the link below:

TRY the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Free Practice Tests Now!

Step-by-Step Guide for Exam 

Once you are done reading all the pertinent details about the exam, its time you create a strategy of your own to get you pass the exam. In addition, when you have an exam around the corner, if is often easier to prepare using a study guide. Apparent from the above article Google Cloud Architect Certification Exam is dynamic in nature which brings into notice the need to create an equally dynamic strategy for the exam. 

Following is a step by step preparation guide which will direct your way to success.

Step 1- Time management:

It is the baseline for any exam. Therefore, it becomes highly important that you sort out your time management and give yourself enough time to study. In other words, do not leave it until the last minute. Last minute cramming is not the best way to approach an exam. This gamble may cost you your certification. It is advised to set up your time table and organize your study accordingly. You cannot take the risk to jeopardize your certification due to your laxity.  

Step 2- Use flow charts and diagrams:

 The next step is the use of flow charts and diagrams. As we all know picture is worth a thousand words. In other words, visuals can be really helpful while your revise for the exam. Pen down the ideas in flow charts and diagrams as it will help you quickly recall everything you might have studied thus far. Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one page diagram and highlight them. This will help you grabbing things easily.

Step 3- Explain your answers to others:

Your kins may be the biggest distraction around you during your exams. You often find their presence annoying when you study for the exam. However, you can turn the tables and make them your listeners. Explain your answers to a question to them. This will certainly help you getting things clear in your head. Also, you may be able to highlight the areas you need to work on.

Step 4- Prepare on old exams:

This is one of the most effective and well-known ways to prepare for the exams. You all know that there may be chances that you get questions from previous exams. Practicing past versions not only gives you a cue about the actual questions that may appear but it also enlightens you. Therefore, it is highly advised that you consider past versions while you prepare for your exam.

Step 5- Snack on brain food:

You may have an urge to treat yourself when you study. However you don’t have enough time to go to the kitchen and cook meal for yourself. Well in that case you can eat nutritious foods. In other words, you can choose eating foods which can really have a positive impact on your energy levels and focus. Keeping your body and brain well-fuelled is highly important so that they function properly.

A Word of Advice

A word of advice can be beneficial before you appear for the actual exam. In other words, after getting through all the tips and valuable resources for the exam, it is highly important to get a word of advice which may help you get through the exam smoothly. To support the aforesaid statement, below are a few tips that can do wonders for you in the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Preparation:

  1. Time and tide wait for none. You might have heard this proverb too. Time indeed is a major factor which can either make or break your exam. Therefore, it is advised that you spend your time attempting as many questions as possible so that you get all of them on the first try.
  2. If you feel dubious between two questions, rely on your gut and pick the answer that you feel is right. Also, you can always come back to revise at the end.
  3. Keep yourself calm and composed throughout the exam. Reason being, a frantic mind can make mistakes that a calm mind would easily avoid.
  4. Make case studies your close friends as they can be used to create multiple questions that are often linked together. 
  5. Nothing comes with guarantee. Similarly, do not rely too much on sample papers. There may or may not be chances that you get questions from previous years.
  6. Above all, do not forget to revise. Revision is meant for all questions and not just the ones that you haven’t answered yet. If latter is what you do, then you need to make the necessary change. 

Exam Day

Finally the day has come where your revision has met its end and your hard work is paid off. You might feel anxious and dizzy on exam day. However, this should be the other way around. You have to keep your nerves calm and make sure you are well rested and confident to enter into the exam hall to write an amazing paper. 

Here are a few tips you need to follow to ensure that you are all ready to ace your exam: 

  • When taking the exam, you must arrive at the testing centre before the exam time with proof of identity. Therefore, contact the testing centre the day before your exam to confirm what you must bring with you.
  • No paper is permitted during your exam session. In other words, you are required to leave every piece of paper behind or in a locker.
  • Remember you will be under observation during the exam, usually with cameras or a live proctor which means there is no room for misconduct.

Expert Corner

In conclusion, Google Cloud Architect Certification Examination is a typical exam. However, the article consists of detailed information, preparation guide and other above mentioned resources which will make your journey easy. Moreover, the article will help you digest the GCP portion easily and you can watch this space anytime you want. 

Remember achieving the Google certificate professional cloud architect comes with a lot of opportunities in IT industry. You are lucky enough that we have got your back. Testprep Training provides a series of practice tests which will make you confident enough that you will be able to pass the certification exam in the first attempt.

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