How I passed the Google Cloud - Associate Cloud Engineer Exam
Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) exam is the entry level exam in Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Unlike AWS & Azure, GCP doesn't yet have a foundational exam but starts with Associate level.
As per Google, an Associate Cloud Engineer is expected to deploy applications, monitor operations, manage enterprise solutions and able to use Google Cloud Console and the command-line interface to perform common platform-based tasks to maintain one or more deployed solutions that leverage Google-managed or self-managed services on Google Cloud
Having achieved my Azure Solution Architect Expert certification in Aug '20, I was interested to explore on Google Cloud Platform as it's emerging as the preferred cloud partner for many organizations lately.
At that time Google offered a promotion of 1 month free access to their courses in Coursera and Qwiklabs plus 30% discount in the exam fee that I could make use of.
Exam Pattern
The exam has a total of 50 questions consisting of multiple choice or multi select questions and total exam duration is 2 hours
The GCP ACE exam assess your ability on following:
- Set up a cloud solution environment
- Plan and configure a cloud solution
- Deploy and implement a cloud solution
- Ensure successful operation of a cloud solution
- Configure access and security
The official exam guide provides the further drill-down on the individual topics covered in the exam.
Exam Preparation
Since the voucher expires by Dec '20, I had 3 months to prepare for the exam. I used the following materials to learn.
Coursera - Completed the Cloud Engineering with Google Cloud Professional Certificate suggested by Google
Qwiklabs - Completed the labs provided in GCP ACE learning path. You can also complete other labs and quests in Qwiklabs to improve your exposure with Google Cloud.
Official GCP ACE Study Guide - The study guide provided a quick reference on all key topics and also has got practice questions at the end of each chapter that helps us to better prepare for the exam.
Whizlabs - They have a very good set of exam questions . You can learn new things from the explanation given to the answers. Try to score consistently above 90%.
Finally once all you ready to take the exam, attempt the practice exam provided by Google that simulates the real exam. This will boost your confidence for taking the final exam.
Exam Registration
Kryterion is the testing partner for GCP exams. You need to register for the exam at https://www.webassessor.com. It currently costs $125. With my voucher, I managed to register for $88. You have 2 options for taking the exam - online proctored (at a testing center) or remote proctored (at home). I took the exam at home.
Exam Experience
I scheduled my exam at 10AM but a proctor was available only after 45 mins. It does happen during busy schedules, so don't get panic and just wait for them. The exam time only starts after the checks are complete. So we will get the full 2 hours.
Important question topics are:-
- account billing and cost management
- IAM - roles & permissions
- compute engine - understand various options available while creating a VM
- App Engine - know the deployment options and roles
- networks - create vpc, subnets, firewalls
- GKE - commands to create and manage cluster and applications
- stackdriver services like monitor, logging, tracer
- GCP CLI commands for major services
- cloud storage options
- overview on other GCP services
Once you have submitted the exam, you will receive your result immediately on screen stating pass or fail. You will receive your digital certificate within a couple of days if online proctored exam or between 1-2 weeks if remote proctored exam. Google doesn't reveal the score or pass percentage.
It was really an anxious moment for me until I see Pass in the final screen!!
All the best for your exam preparation and success!
Additional Learning Resources
- GCP Documentation
- GCP Products - to have a quick understanding of various offerings
- GCP Developer Cheatsheet - one pager of all GCP service offerings
- GCP Command Cheatsheet - quick refresher of key commands
- GCP Sketch Notes
- Compare AWS & Azure to GCP services