The GCP Cloud Architect certification was graded as one of the top-paying Information technology certifications of 2019 by Global Knowledge. This program gives candidates the skills they need to further their careers as professional cloud architects. It also recommends training to help prepare for the well-known GCP cloud architect certification. The GCP Cloud Architect, on the other hand, should be knowledgeable in all aspects of corporate cloud strategy, solution design, and architectural best practices.
This article is designed to assist you in preparation for the GCP Cloud Architect Exam.
Benefits of being a GCP Cloud Architect
To begin, let us discuss some of the benefits of working as a GCP Cloud Architect. The applicant will be able to distribute solution elements, which include infrastructure elements such as networks, systems and applications services, and networks. They also gain practical experience through a variety of hands-on lab assignments. Needless to say, a professional certified GCP cloud architect becomes job-ready and get a pleasing salary package.
Further, The GCP Cloud Architect has an excellent understanding of the Google cloud platform and cloud architecture. Thus, they ensure to project, develop, arrange, and manage the scalable, dynamic, highly accessible solutions to the objectives of the business.
GCP Cloud Architect: An Overview
The GCP cloud architect exam avail you to work on the various skills and enhance your knowledge in the areas of GCP services which includes Networking, Databases, Storage, Containers, App Engine, Virtual Machines, Security etc. The GCP cloud architect exam is most probably considered difficult with respect to other cloud architect certification that is available nowadays. Comparatively, the GCP cloud architect exam is designed to examine the candidate’s expertise in the concepts such as infrastructure services, logging and monitoring, Auto-scaling/HA – Core Platform, storage and database.
Further, following the productive completion of the GCP cloud architect exam, the candidate will earn a certificate of completion to share with your professional network and potential employers.
An expert cloud Architect ensures organizations to maximize Google Cloud technologies. The cloud architecture is suites to the undermentioned:
- Firstly, the list includes Developers, lead developer, or Information Technology (IT) experts who currently are familiar with Google cloud platform services, or any public cloud platform services.
- Secondly, Anyone who wants to pursue their career in the areas such as private cloud, public cloud, or hybrid cloud deployment.
- Further, those who want to raise their knowledge and skills with the GCP cloud architect certification and want to get an understanding of the GCP Cloud platform.
Exam Details
Let us jump on some basic details of the GCP Cloud Architect exam.
- Firstly, the exam gives you a time span of 2 hours i.e. you will be having 120 minutes for completing the exam. Also, the candidate should be able to manage to review their answers within these 2 hours only.
- If you are confused about the language of the exam, then here is the solution to your confusion. This exam is available in English, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese.
- The GCP Cloud Architect examination will charge $200 (USD) excluding tax.
- Moreover, the format of the questions will be Multiple select and multiple choice. And, the test will be taken in person at a test centre.
- The candidate needs to get approximately 80% to pass the GCP cloud architect exam.
- Not to mention, you should visit the official website and register yourself.
- Moreover, like any other google certifications, the GCP Cloud Architect certificate is also valid for 2 years and after that, you need to revise your certification.
- Further, if the candidate fails the exam then he/she has to wait for 14 days to retake the exam and if anyone fails twice then there is a duration of 60 days to retake the exam.
Exam Eligibility:
There are no such prerequisites but the candidate should consider the followings:
- The GCP Cloud Architect Exam is intended for cloud professionals who already have existing knowledge, skills and capabilities in the GCP workspace.
- Those who want to pursue as a cloud architect must have an understanding of software, infrastructure, or Information Technology.
- The candidate should be familiar with the general fundamentals of cloud computing and Cloud Platform. Also, it is assumed that learners previously are proficient to the level of the GCP Cloud Engineer exam.
Course Outline
The candidate should go through the course outline of the GCP cloud architect exam as it provides thorough guidance on what topics should be covered.
The GCP cloud architect examinations evaluate your abilities in the following domains:
Domain 1: Designing and planning for a cloud solution architecture.
- Firstly, to design a solution for infrastructure that meets the requirements of a business
- Secondly, to design a solution for infrastructure that meets the requirements of technical services
- Also, to design networking, storage, and compute resources
- Then, creating a migration plan which is the infrastructural diagrams and documents. Lastly, the visualizing future solution improvements
Doman 2: Analyzing and optimising the business and technical process.
- Understanding and analyzing technical processes
- Analyzing and defining the business process
- Developing the strategies to ensure the resilience of solution in the production
Domain 3: Manage and preparation of the cloud solution Architecture.
- It includes optimizing network topologies
- To configuring the individual storage systems
- Configuring the compute systems
Domain 4: Managing the implementations of cloud architecture.
- Advising development or operation teams to ensure productive deployment of the solution
- Then, Interaction with Google Cloud using GCP SDK
Domain 5: Designing and maintaining compliance and security.
- Developing for security
- Then, designing compliance
Domain 6: Ensuring operations and solution reliability.
- Logging/Monitoring/alerting solution/profiling
- Deployment and releasing the management
- Helping with the help of solutions in operations
- To assessing quality control measures
GCP Exam Preparatory Guide 
Once the candidate begins their preparation, they should understand and learn the basic concepts such as the GCP cloud platform and what it is and how it works. The GCP cloud architect study guide is an important source for those who are preparing for this highly professional-level certification. It is considered clear and accurate and provides the best guidance for the exam.
1. Analyse Objective of GCP Cloud Architect
Reviewing the objective of the exam is the necessary step as it clarifies the concepts and topics which will be there in the exam. As mentioned above in the course outline, the objectives are generally as follows:
- Designing and planning a cloud solution architecture.
- Analyzing and optimising the business and technical process.
- Manage and preparation of the cloud solution Architecture.
- Managing the implementations of cloud architecture.
- Designing and maintaining compliance and security.
- Ensuring operations and solution reliability.
2. Cite the Blueprint
The exam guide or blueprint curbs a finished list of topics that may consist of the exam. Review the exam guide to specify if your skills and knowledge align with the areas on the exam. It is one of the most important study materials you need. So, don’t forget to download the blueprint.
3. Impressive Study Material
Picking the right study material can be a difficult task for someone. For making this difficult step easy, here is a list of study material which you can refer to.
- Official Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect Study Guide 1st Edition by Dan Sullivan.
- Professional Cloud Architect – Google Cloud Certification Guide: A handy guide to designing, developing and managing enterprise-grade GCP cloud solutions by Konrad Clapa, and Brian Gerrard.
- Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect: Introducing Google Cloud (Third Edition) by Soumen Chatterjee.
The above mentioned are some highly recommended books, you can go for these or can opt for any other you want.
Also, the candidate should read some case studies, these are highly effective for understanding the question and its actual meaning.
4. Cloud Architect Training Program
Today, all platforms provide their own training programs. Google also renders its Cloud training program for all of its certifications. However, right now our focus is on Cloud Architect Training Program.
Additionally, we are going to discourse on the brief of Google cloud architect training for the GCP cloud architect exam.
Module 1: To Understand the Professional Cloud Architect Certification
- Firstly, positioning the GCP cloud architect certification amongst the offerings
- Secondly, to identify between Professional and Associate
- Then, It provides direction between Professional Cloud Architect and Associate Cloud Engineer
Module 2: Sample Case Studies
- MountKirk Games
- Dress4Win
- TerramEarth
Module 3: Designing and Implementing
- To review the layered model from Process and Design
- It provides tips regarding exam focused on technical design and business
- Design solution infrastructure that meets business and technical requirements
- Anticipating the future solution improvements
- Configuring network topologies, storage systems, compute systems
Module 4: Optimizing and Operating
- Understanding and defining the technical process
- Designing for security and legal compliance
- Learning about security and compliance
- Operation teams to assure the successful deployment of solutions
- Resources for learning about controlling the implementations
- Easy buttons, playbooks
Module 5: Succeeding Steps
- To identify the Instructor-Led Training courses and what they cover
- Review or feedback of the course
5. Take some Practice Tests
They say practice makes a man perfect! This quote is absolute motivation in order to prepare for such examinations. When a candidate understands and learns the whole course, he/she must try their hands-on practice. Many online practice tests are available on the internet, some are free practice tests while some you have to buy. You can choose whichever you want to attempt. Practice tests are a very valuable step during preparing for the GCP cloud architect exam.
6. Make a Strategy
The candidate must prepare a unique strategy during the preparation. You need to commit enough time on each and every area of the exam. Once you have studied all the concepts, you should optimally review all the courses and make yourself confident enough. So, go and make a strategy and achieve your goals.
Here are some tips:
While preparing the broad areas, do not miss the basic topics which you should know. Keep the following points in mind:
- To understand the concept of the Hybrid Cloud
- You should know how to transfer data to Google Cloud
- Learning the Google Cloud IAM inside out
- Choosing the correct database and storage offerings
- Take a glance on the Enterprise Case Studies
Let’s Conclude
To sum up, the GCP cloud architect certification is highly in demand these days and likewise, add credentials to your resume. It helps you to stand out of the crowd. Studying and practising on a regular basis will surely help you to accomplish your dreams. So, wake up and start practising! For more practice tests CLICK HERE!
Make your resume stand out and become a Certified GCP Cloud Architect. Try free practice tests here!
