Passing Scores:
- Fundamentals Exam. (Passing score 85%, 99 questions.)
- Search Advanced (Passing score 80%, 90 questions)
- Display Advanced (Passing score 70%, 90 questions)
You cannot pause once you start the exam. Eat, go to the bathroom, stretch- do everything you need to before the test.
Have a snack & drink next to you just in case
Remove yourself from all distractions
Google WILL try and trick you. They love to ask the same question 2-3 times with different wording
The test also tests application heavily. This means you will see plenty of scenario's. I.e. "Sally wants her ads to show up to these people at this time.. She should implement X Feature...."
Have your notes organized & ready
Get a good nights sleep
Though they still claim to, Google no longer locks your browser while taking the exam. So it is highly recommended to download the exam study guide and keep it open during exam. CTRL+F or CMND+F (mac) to search the document & double check yourself during the exam.
There CAN be more than 1 right answer. it's about choosing the best possible option.
It's also helpful to actually have AdWords open during the exam. Many questions are on features & tools.
Make a list of acceptable Display Ad sizes. I promise you will be asked... Probably more than once.
Make a list of bidding options
Take screen shots of questions that really stumped you. If you don't make the passing grade (85%) you can look back on where you struggled
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There are many more tips that I will add here periodically, but these are the biggest things to remember for the exam.
Continue to helpful resources for the exam...
That exam sounds like the ASE exam for mechanics. There exam was a pain. They had multiple choice with several ways to answer the question. I never had much success passing the stupid thing.
How much does this cost. Will it help make me more profitable with them. I'm already tied in with adsense.
Have to go for now. Thanks !
Brian E.
Reply
If nothing else, getting certified is for you. It gives you the extra confidence. Gives you the extra exposure. I was hired in May straight out of college as an SEM Specialist, even though I had no PPC experience to speak of. The first thing they had on my agenda was to get certified and get the company to become a Google Partner. Most ad agency want someone who is certified when hiring. And best of all- it's free. The training and certification tests are all free.
I hope this has helped some. If there's any confusion or you have any questions I didn't really answer let me know, I'm happy to explain further. I'm actually leaving work right now so this reply is admittedly rushed.
Best,
Dev
In one sense I can see where this could be beneficial to one's future career. But, in another sense, I can't help but think that Google thrives off the need to somehow be "in control" of everyone's online marketing endeavors. Their position as the "big brother" (always watching) of SEO is (to me) is a little disconcerting. Their ability to make or break someones success appears to be based solely on towing their line. Almost like the government, they'll wag their finger in disapproval and make an invisible judgment call with no advanced warning. I don't believe in government control, or the way Google appears to be positioning themselves as the "government" of online success.
Please don't mistake my rant for disrespect with regards to your achievement. I'm sure I'd be proud of attaining this level as well. It's just the driving force behind it that makes me think - "okay, NOW what must I do to stay in your good graces"?
It's one of those unfortunate obligations of online marketing. Over 90% of searches are done through Google, we cannot change that. Getting certified really just teaches you the ins & outs of AdWords so you know all the different tools & features, when they should be implemented, etc. It really just means you are recognized by Google as a Paid Advertising Professional, which as you said- who is Google to determine such a thing... Well, nobody really. Except for the above figure, where they handle over 90% of the webs searches..
Believe me, I wish the web was a more level playing field but unfortunately Google has monopolized it more or less AND has ties with the government to boot. Anytime you search, they know... Scary isn't it?
Yes, it is! And thanks for understanding :-)
