Understanding the Cost of Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification


The Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification has grown in popularity among IT professionals looking to prove their cloud architecture expertise and enhance their careers.

However, the cost of acquiring this certification might vary based on a number of factors, including your nation or area of residence, the study materials you select, and the exam costs. 

Is the Google Professional Cloud Architect Certification worth It in 2023?

Cloud computing abilities are likely to be in high demand in 2023 and beyond, and the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification may help you demonstrate your knowledge in this field. 

  • This certification verifies your ability to use Google Cloud technologies to design, create, and manage secure, scalable, and reliable cloud systems.

  • Furthermore, Google is a well-known and frequently utilized cloud platform, and having a Google certification may boost your reputation and raise your chances of being employed or promoted in the IT business. 

How Much Does It Cost to Get Certified as a Professional Cloud Architect?

The cost of getting certified as a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect can vary depending on several factors such as the study materials you choose, training courses, and the exam fees.

As of March 2023, the exam fee for the Professional Cloud Architect certification is $200 USD. 

In addition to the exam fee, you may also need to invest in study materials such as books, practice tests, and online courses, which can range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars depending on the quality and extent of the material.

Are There Any Additional Costs to Maintain the Cloud Architect Certification?

Yes, after passing the initial exam, there are ongoing fees to keep the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect credential.  To maintain your certification, you must pass a renewal exam, which is usually less expensive than the first exam. 

  • Renewal Exam

    The renewal exam price is now $125 USD as of March 2023, however, this pricing is subject to change, thus the most up-to-date information may be found on the official Google Cloud certification page.

  • Training courses

    Google offers official training courses for the Professional Cloud Architect certification, and the cost can range from $1,200 to $2,400 USD depending on the course format and duration.

Who Is Eligible to Take the Google Professional Cloud Architect Exam?

The Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect exam is designed for individuals who have extensive experience and expertise in designing, implementing, and managing solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

The eligibility criteria for taking the exam are as follows:

  • Experience

    Candidates should have a minimum of 3 years of industry experience, including at least 1 year of hands-on experience with GCP.

  • GCP Knowledge

    Candidates should have a deep understanding of GCP services, architecture, best practices, and solutions. They should be proficient in designing and implementing GCP-based solutions for various use cases.

  • Job Role

    The exam is targeted towards individuals who work or aspire to work as cloud architects, solution architects, enterprise architects, or technology leaders responsible for designing and implementing GCP solutions.

  • Prerequisites

    Google recommends having a fundamental understanding of GCP services and solutions, and completing the Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer exam as a foundation.

What Topics Does the Google Professional Cloud Architect Exam Cover? 

The test covers a broad spectrum of cloud architecture, infrastructure, networking, security, data storage, and management subjects. The following are some of the major subjects covered in the exam:

  1. 1

    Building and designing a cloud solution architecture 

    This subject entails comprehending cloud computing principles, picking acceptable cloud service and deployment models, planning for scalability, and selecting appropriate storage and database solutions.

  2. 2

    Infrastructure management and provisioning

    This topic discusses how to manage and provision the infrastructure required for your cloud solution, such as virtual machines, containers, and managed services. 

  3. 3

    Security and compliance design

    This subject discusses how to create a safe and compliant cloud solution that protects your organization's data and assets. 

  4. 4

    Technical and business process analysis and optimization

    This topic discusses how to assess and optimize your cloud solution to increase technical and business performance. 

  5. 5

    Designing for dependability and business continuity

    This topic discusses how to create a dependable and resilient cloud system that reduces downtime and assures business continuity. 

  6. 6

    High availability and catastrophe recovery design

    This topic discusses how to develop a cloud system that can manage large traffic and offer continuous service to your clients. 

How to Prepare for the Professional Cloud Architect Certification Exam? 

  • Acquire practical experience

    Before taking the test, Google recommended that you have at least three years of industry experience, including one year of creating and managing solutions using GCP. 

  • Examine the test guide

    Google offers an exam guide that describes the exam subjects. Examine the guide to ensure that you understand each section.

  • Study the documentation

    Google provides comprehensive documentation on GCP that covers all the topics in the exam guide. Study the documentation and make sure you understand how to use each service and feature.

  • Take online courses

    Google provides a number of online courses and tutorials that cover GCP and the topics in the exam guide. Take some of these courses to supplement your understanding of the technology.

  • Practice with labs

    Google provides a number of labs that let you practice using GCP in a real-world scenario. Take some of these labs to gain practical experience and familiarize yourself with the GCP interface.

  • Study Groups

    Joining a study group can be beneficial in sharing knowledge and experience with other professionals preparing for the exam. 

Top Online Resources That Can Help You Learn and Prepare for This Exam

Google Cloud Official Documentation

The Google Cloud documentation is a comprehensive resource that covers all the topics included in the exam guide.

This resource provides detailed explanations and examples of how to use different GCP services, making it an essential resource for preparing for the exam.

Udemy | Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Practice Tests

Udemy offers a Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification practice exam that includes many questions and covers all of the topics covered in the actual certification exam.

This sample exam can assist you in identifying your strengths and weaknesses, as well as preparing you for the types of questions you will encounter on the real exam.

Whizlabs | Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect

Whizlabs offers a practice test for the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect Certification, which includes 150 questions and simulates the actual certification exam.

This practice test can help you identify areas where you need to focus your studies and can also help you build your confidence for the actual exam. 

Best Learning Methods You Can Use to Successfully Pass the Exam on the First Attempt

To pass the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification exam on the first attempt, use the following learning methods:

  • Practical experience

    Gain practical experience with GCP by working on projects or taking online courses that offer hands-on experience.

  • Online courses and tutorials

    Take advantage of online courses and tutorials that cover GCP and the exam topics.

  • Exam guide

    Review the exam guide and study the documentation to ensure you have a good understanding of the topics.

  • Practice with labs

    Practice with labs to gain practical experience and familiarize yourself with the GCP interface.

  • Practice exams

    Take practice exams to gauge your readiness and identify areas where you need to improve.

  • Study groups

    Join study groups to learn from others and get feedback on your understanding of the material.

What Career Opportunities and Salary Range Can You Expect after Getting Certified?

Obtaining the Google Professional Cloud Architect certification can lead to a number of professional prospects as well as a pay raise. Upon certification, you may be able to pursue the following career pathways and earn the following pay ranges:

  • Cloud Architect

    As a certified cloud architect, you may use GCP to build and deploy cloud-based solutions for businesses. Cloud architects earn between $120,000 and $200,000 per year on average.

  • Cloud Engineer

    With a GCP certification, you may also work as a cloud engineer, implementing, maintaining, and supporting cloud-based systems. Cloud engineers earn between $90,000 and $150,000 per year on average.

  • Cloud Consultant

    As a cloud consultant, you may assist businesses with their cloud infrastructure optimization and migration. Cloud consulting salaries often vary from $80,000 to $150,000 annually.

  • DevOps Engineer

    You can work as a DevOps engineer, who is in charge of automating software development processes and deploying software on the cloud. DevOps engineers often earn between $110,000 and $170,000 annually in pay.

Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining the Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect certification can be a valuable investment for your career.

By leveraging various study materials and preparing effectively, you can increase your chances of passing the exam on the first attempt and unlocking new career opportunities in the growing field of cloud computing.

FAQ

Is the Google Professional Cloud Architect Exam Hard?

The Google Professional Cloud Architect exam is considered challenging, as it tests a wide range of knowledge and skills required to design and implement cloud-based solutions using 

What is the Passing Score for the Exam?

The passing score for the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam is 70%, which means that you must score at least 70% on the exam to pass.

What Happens If I Fail the Exam?

If you fail the Google Professional Cloud Architect exam, you can retake the exam after a mandatory 14-day waiting period. However, you will need to pay the full exam fee each time you retake the exam.

Which Google Certification Is the Easiest?

The Google Associate Cloud Engineer certification is considered to be the easiest among all Google Cloud certifications. 

About the author

Youssef

Youssef is a Senior Cloud Consultant & Founder of ITCertificate.org

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