Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

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Hello everyone, once again its that time of the year for certification renewals! The below guide is related to the new version of the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification in 2022.

It's really amazing how fast time goes and this will now be my second renewal of this certification and am really excited to share my study guide, advice, hints and helpful information on the latest version of the exam. This exam guide is based on the Cloud Architect exam written in March 2022.

As of last year, 2021, Google made a complete revision of the Cloud Architect exam which was really needed in order to keep up with the pace of innovation being displayed on the Google Cloud Platform over the last few years. This exam has changed dramatically but still follows the same underlying architecture principals that we have grown accustomed to over the last four years.

As previously, the exam is based on 50 questions, which are displayed across four separate case studies as well as additional questions. You have two hours to complete the exam and the cost is $200. The exam is able to be taken at a testing center or remotely through https://webassessor.com/googlecloud. The exam is an advanced level certification so it is recommended to have some extensive real life experience hands on working with Google Cloud. The Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) exam would be a good starting point if just entering the world of Google Cloud: https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-engineer

The biggest change in the new exam is the introduction of two brand new case studies, namely EHR Healthcare and Helicopter Racing League and the complete update of two previous case studies, Mountkirk Games and Terram Earth. These case studies are really vital to the exam and are the core focus that you need to spend your time on. When spending time studying these case studies you will be introduced or updated on various new products and skills that are vital in order to cover off the exam guide requirements.

For further exam details and requirements please check the official Google Cloud material: https://cloud.google.com/certification/cloud-architect https://cloud.google.com/certification/guides/professional-cloud-architect/

Please see below link to all four case studies that can be downloaded and reviewed from Google:

https://services.google.com/fh/files/blogs/master_case_study_ehr_healthcare.pdf

https://services.google.com/fh/files/blogs/master_case_study_helicopter_racing_league.pdf

https://services.google.com/fh/files/blogs/master_case_study_mountkirk_games.pdf

https://services.google.com/fh/files/blogs/master_case_study_terramearth.pdf

Please note: These case studies are at a high level and can be difficult to understand and digest. I will link some really great YouTube playlists that can assist you to study these in a practical way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSTDaMV8ZFc&list=PLiGDmIpNsrc3tOl-95mzKqXaHc3KoMblW&index=6&t=5s - All case studies explained with diagrams and hints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJqmcacktOE - All case studies explained with solutions

It's sometimes a lot easier to be able to visually see diagrams and watch videos on advice around the various solutions to solve the case study problems. These can be a great backup to using and actually writing your own solutions on the case studies. All areas and solutions that are mentioned need further research and reading to understand. The best place to go is always the Google Cloud documentation: https://cloud.google.com/docs

Exam hint: You will not have enough time to read and learn the case studies prior to taking the exam, so please take advantage of the fact that you can download and work through these in your preparation.

I'm going to also link below further resources that are really helpful in the study process for this exam and I can recommend spending time going through all of these in detail before attempting your exam:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LUtqhOEjUMySCfn3zj8Arhzcmazr3vrPzy7VzJwIshE/edit#gid=0 - Google Sheet with direct links to reading areas inside Google Cloud documentation. Time saver!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/preparing-google-cloud-certification-professional-architect-mohan?trk=articles_directory - Nice sum up of study resources.

https://cloud.google.com/architecture - Architecture designs and guides from Google.

https://cloud.google.com/architecture/framework - More architecture information

https://www.pluralsight.com/paths/cloud-architecture-with-google-cloud - Official on demand courses

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/preparing-professional-cloud-architect-exam-1- More courses

https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/gcp-cloud-architect - More courses

https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/course_templates/78?utm_source=gcp_training&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=cgc - Qwiklabs hands on labs

I also really recommend watching all of the Next 21 YouTube playlist, as this is really great content that provides you with the updates and information across all of the Google Cloud services and products:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIivdWyY5sqK5sIM83V8rOHWMoXaA2m4H

Overall the exam is not easy and there is a huge volume of knowledge areas that can be asked in the exam. Its really helpful in focusing on different formats during this study process. Watch video courses, YouTube, reading official Google Cloud architecture frameworks, reading documentation and understanding concepts that you are not familiar with. Hands on labs and/or experience are essential!

The only official practice test is the Google version which you can use to judge your skill set:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvf8Xq6m0kvyIoysdr8WZYCG32WHENStftiHTSdtW4ad2-0w/viewform

With the above information you will also be ready to certify Cloud Architect in 2022!

https://www.credential.net/2cfdbb42-e43e-433c-a898-b475740f356d

Google Cloud Platform