Introduction
The Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a highly respected credential that validates an individual's ability to deploy, monitor, and manage applications on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). As cloud computing continues to dominate the IT industry, professionals with GCP expertise are in high demand.
What is the Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer Certification?
The Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer is an entry-level Google Cloud credential designed for professionals who can deploy and operate applications on GCP. It validates hands-on experience in:
- Setting up cloud solutions using Google Cloud Console and CLI
- Managing compute, storage, and networking services
- Configuring IAM (Identity and Access Management) policies
- Monitoring and troubleshooting cloud operations
Who Should Take This Exam?
- Cloud Engineers
- DevOps Engineers
- System Administrators
- IT Professionals transitioning to cloud roles
- Students looking to start a cloud career
Exam Details: Format, Duration, and Passing Score
- Exam Code: Not officially disclosed (Google frequently updates exam codes)
- Exam Duration: 2 hours
- Number of Questions: 50 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions
- Passing Score: ~70% (exact threshold varies)
- Exam Fee: $125 (plus taxes where applicable)
- Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese
Exam Topics Breakdown
The exam focuses on four major domains:
1. Setting up a cloud solution environment (20%)
- Billing configuration
- Installing and configuring Google Cloud SDK
- Managing user roles via IAM
2. Planning and configuring a cloud solution (20%)
- Selecting appropriate compute, storage, and networking services
- Configuring VPCs and subnets
3. Deploying and implementing a cloud solution (30%)
- Launching Compute Engine VMs
- Deploying Kubernetes clusters (GKE)
- Managing Cloud SQL and BigQuery
4. Ensuring successful cloud operations (30%)
- Monitoring with Cloud Monitoring & Logging
- Managing autoscaling and load balancing
- Troubleshooting common issues
How to Prepare for the Associate Cloud Engineer Exam?
A. Official Google Cloud Resources
1. Google Cloud Free Tier – Hands-on practice with GCP services.
2. Google Cloud Documentation – Deep dive into services.
B. Recommended Books & Courses
- "Official Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Study Guide" by Dumpsarena
- Dumpsarena (e.g., "Google Cloud Associate Engineer 2024")
C. Practice Tests & Exam Dumps (Why Dumpsarena is Useful)
While hands-on experience is crucial, practice tests help gauge readiness. Dumpsarena provides:
- Latest exam dumps with real questions
- Detailed explanations for answers
- Simulated exam environment
- Up-to-date content aligned with Google’s exam changes
Why Get Certified? Career Benefits
A. High Demand for GCP Professionals
- Google Cloud is the third-largest cloud provider (after AWS & Azure).
- Companies like Spotify, PayPal, and Target rely on GCP.
B. Salary Boost
- Associate Cloud Engineers earn $90,000–$130,000/year (varies by location).
- Certification can lead to roles like Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, or Solutions Architect.
C. Career Growth & Recognition
- Validates practical cloud skills to employers.
- Opens doors to advanced certifications (Professional Cloud Architect, Data Engineer).
Final Tips for Exam Success
Hands-on Practice – Use Google Cloud Free Tier to deploy real projects.
Take Practice Tests – Use Dumpsarena to assess weak areas.
Join Study Groups – Engage with communities on Reddit, LinkedIn, and Discord.
Review Exam Guide – Google’s official exam outline is a must-read.
Conclusion
The Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable credential for anyone starting or advancing in cloud computing. By combining hands-on labs, official study guides, and practice tests (like those from Dumpsarena), you can pass the exam confidently and boost your cloud career.
Ready to Get Certified?
Start your journey today with Google Cloud training and supplement your prep with Dumpsarena’s reliable exam dumps for the best results!
Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer Sample Questions and Answers
1. Which Google Cloud service allows you to run serverless containers?
A) Compute Engine
B) Cloud Run
C) Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
D) Cloud Functions
2. What command would you use to list all the VMs in a specific Google Cloud project?
A) `gcloud compute instances list`
B) `gcloud instances list`
C) `gcloud vm list`
D) `gcloud compute vms list`
3. Which storage class is best for frequently accessed data with low latency requirements?
A) Nearline Storage
B) Coldline Storage
C) Standard Storage
D) Archive Storage
4. How do you enable a Google Cloud API (e.g., Compute Engine API) for a project?
A) Using `gcloud services enable compute.googleapis.com`
B) Using the Google Cloud Console → APIs & Services → Enable APIs
C) Both A and B
D) Only through Terraform
5. Which IAM role grants full control over all resources in a Google Cloud project?
A) roles/viewer
B) roles/editor
C) roles/owner
D) roles/admin
6. What is the primary purpose of a VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) network in Google Cloud?
A) To provide a managed Kubernetes service
B) To isolate and securely connect cloud resources
C) To store encrypted object data
D) To manage billing accounts
7. Which command creates a new Google Cloud Storage bucket?
A) `gsutil mb gs://my-bucket`
B) `gcloud storage create gs://my-bucket`
C) `gcloud buckets create gs://my-bucket`
D) `gsutil create gs://my-bucket`
8. What is the correct way to SSH into a Compute Engine VM from the command line?
A) `gcloud compute ssh vm-name --zone=us-central1-a`
B) `gcloud ssh vm-name --zone=us-central1-a`
C) `gcloud compute connect vm-name --zone=us-central1-a`
D) `ssh vm-name --gcp`
9. Which service is used for real-time log analysis and monitoring in Google Cloud?
A) Cloud Logging (formerly Stackdriver Logging)
B) BigQuery
C) Cloud Storage
D) Cloud Spanner
10. What is the purpose of a Google Cloud IAM custom role?
A) To replace predefined roles with simpler permissions
B) To grant permissions beyond what predefined roles offer
C) To create a role with a specific set of permissions tailored to organizational needs
D) To automatically rotate access keys
These questions cover key topics like Compute, Storage, Networking, IAM, and CLI tools that are essential for the exam. Would you like more questions on a specific topic?
