How to Pass the GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam 2024 (Expert Tips)

Many Associate Cloud Engineers have transitioned from managing physical servers to embracing the cloud era, eager to enhance their skills. Earning the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable step in advancing an IT career, with over 50,000 candidates taking the exam annually.

The 70% passing rate of the GCP ACE exam highlights its challenge and the need for thorough preparation. This certification not only opens doors to roles such as cloud developer or architect but can also lead to significant salary increases, with certified professionals earning up to 20% more than their non-certified peers.

In this article, we will explore the GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Certification exam, cover the exam details, preparation tips, and jobs after achieving the certification. It is one of the most sought-after Google Cloud Platform certifications, so buckle up! 

GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam Details

Here are some important details about the GCP ACE certification exam:  

● Exam Duration: 2 Hours

● Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Multiple Select Questions ( MSQs)

● Cost: The registration fee for the exam is $125, plus any applicable taxes depending on your location

● Language Availability: English, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese   

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● Exam Delivery Options: The exam offers two delivery methods to accommodate different needs and preferences:   

1. Online Proctoring: You can take the exam remotely from any location, provided you have a stable internet connection, a functioning webcam, and a quiet environment to ensure exam integrity. A proctor monitors the exam via webcam throughout the duration.

2. Onsite Proctoring at a Testing Center: The exam can also be taken at a designated testing center for those who prefer a controlled environment. This option ensures a quiet and distraction-free setting, with in-person supervision to maintain exam security.   

The GCP Associate Cloud engineer certification exam tests you on specific skills:

●  Setting up a cloud solution environment   

● Planning and configuring a cloud solution   

● Deploying and implementing a cloud solution   

● Ensuring the smooth operation of a cloud solution   

● Configuring access and security   

Prerequisites and Recommended Experience

There are no formal prerequisites for taking the Associate Cloud Engineer exam, meaning anyone can register and attempt the exam regardless of their background. However, it is strongly recommended that candidates have at least six months of hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) before attempting the exam.

This experience should cover areas such as:   

● Deploying and managing applications and services on GCP   

● Configuring access and security for cloud resources   

● Monitoring and maintaining cloud infrastructure   

● Working with various GCP services, such as Compute Engine, Kubernetes Engine, App Engine, Cloud Storage, and BigQuery   

Tips on How to Pass the GCP Associate Cloud Engineer Exam 

Follow the given tips to pass the GCP Associate Cloud Engineer exam on your first attempt:

1. Get an Overview of the Certification Exam: Visit the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer page to learn about the exam and its certification requirements. 

2. Prepare with an Exam Guide: Review the exam guide thoroughly to understand the topics covered and what you need to prepare for. For example, the “Official Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Study Guide” by Dan Sullivan, is available for purchase online. The book offers review questions, but the actual exam will be more challenging. 

3. Read Official Documentations: Study the official Google Cloud Platform documentation to gain a deep understanding of GCP services. 

4. Focus on Syllabus and Key Topics: To excel in the Google Cloud Associate certification exam, it's important to focus on the following key topics: 

● Identity Services: Understand Identity and Access Management (IAM), including permissions, roles, Cloud Identity, and service accounts. 

● Data Services: Gain knowledge of various data services such as Cloud Storage, Pub/Sub, Cloud Dataflow, BigQuery, Cloud Dataprep, Dataproc, and Datalab. 

● Data Storage: Familiarize yourself with different storage solutions like Google Cloud Storage, Cloud Spanner, Firestore, Bigtable, Cloud Datastore, Filestore, Cloud SQL, and the various storage classes. 

● Networking: Study Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), subnets, VPNs, Cloud Interconnect, and Cloud Routers. Additionally, focus on topics like firewalls, Cloud CDN, and load balancing. 

● Monitoring: Learn about monitoring tools and services like Stackdriver and Audit Logs. 

● Compute: Understand key compute services such as Google Compute Engine, App Engine, and Google Cloud Functions, as well as concepts like backups, images, preemptible virtual machines, and live migration. 

● Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE): Familiarize yourself with Cloud Shell and Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), which is Google's implementation of Kubernetes. 

5. Focus on gaining hands-on experience 

6. Earn skill badges: Showcase your developing Google Cloud skills by earning and sharing skill badges. Relevant badges to help you prepare for the Associate Cloud Engineer certification include:   

● Perform Foundational Infrastructure Tasks in Google Cloud   

● Automating Infrastructure on Google Cloud with Terraform   

● Create and Manage Cloud Resources   

● Set Up and Configure a Cloud Environment in Google Cloud   

7. Review extra resources: Test your understanding with sample exam questions.   

The Associate Cloud Engineer Learning Path

1. Understand the exam content:  Start by reviewing the exam guide to assess if your skills match the topics covered in the exam.   

2. Create a study plan: Use the “Preparing for Your Associate Cloud Engineer Journey” course to help organize your exam preparation. This course provides insights into the Google Cloud domains included in the exam and guides you in developing a study plan to enhance your domain knowledge. 

3. Begin your preparation: Follow the Cloud Engineer learning path, where you’ll explore Google Cloud services such as Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, App Engine, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, and BigQuery.

4. Get certified: Finally, register for the exam and choose whether to take it online or at a nearby testing center. 

GCP ACE Jobs and Salaries 

After earning the Associate Cloud Engineer certification, you can apply for various roles in cloud computing and IT. Here are some potential job titles and their estimated average salaries: 

How to Pass the GCP ACE Exam - Conclusion  

Passing the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer exam requires a solid understanding of the core concepts, hands-on experience with Google Cloud services, and a well-structured study plan. Start by familiarizing yourself with the exam content and reviewing the official resources, including the exam guide, study guides, and documentation.

Utilize additional materials such as online courses, GitHub repositories, and practice questions to deepen your understanding. Most importantly, apply what you learn through practical experience to build the skills necessary to confidently tackle the exam.

With dedication, preparation, and practice, you can successfully earn your Associate Cloud Engineer certification and advance your career in cloud computing. 

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