Recently, I earned the newly launched Google Cloud Associate Data Practitioner certification, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my journey with all aspiring cloud professionals, especially those diving into the data side of Google Cloud.
With Google Cloud revamping its certification paths to better align with today’s industry demands, this certification stands as an excellent foundational credential for anyone looking to validate their practical understanding of data services in GCP — from storage and analytics to visualization and migration.
And yes, I passed it on my first attempt!
📚 What the Exam Covers (Based on My Experience)
This certification touches on a comprehensive suite of Google Cloud data tools and concepts. In my exam, I encountered a lot of questions from BigQuery, but here’s a broader view of the covered topics:
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BigQuery – Core analytics engine (central to the exam)
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Dataflow – Stream and batch data processing
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Data Fusion – Visual ETL tool for building pipelines
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Looker – Modern BI and data visualization platform
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Cloud Storage (GCS) – Object storage and its use cases
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Cloud SQL – Relational database for structured workloads
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Database Migration Service (DMS) – Seamless migrations to GCP
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Data Governance & Strategy – Policies, compliance, access control
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Data pipelines, data lakes, and warehouse concepts
The exam tested not just theoretical knowledge but practical application, use cases, and GCP service selection — making it suitable even for those with limited hands-on experience.
😅 The Only Annoying Part — A Real-Life Glitch
While the exam content was solid and the overall experience was smooth, I had a small hiccup (which became a memorable story).
Just after the proctor completed scanning my room, I forgot to plug in my laptop charger. To my horror, the laptop shut down with just 7 questions left! 😳
I had to restart the entire process — logging back in, getting re-verified, and undergoing the whole scanning sequence again. It was nerve-wracking.
But credit where it's due — my exam timer was retained, and I was able to complete the remaining questions without penalty.
Lesson learned: always double-check your setup, especially for online proctored exams.
⏳ I’m Always Short on Prep Time — Here’s What I Did That Worked
With a busy schedule, I’ve learned to be strategic with my preparation. My routine before every GCP exam is simple, yet effective:
1. Complete the GCP Skills Boost Path for the Certification
Google Cloud’s Skills Boost platform offers guided hands-on labs and learning paths tailored to each certification.
For this one, I focused on:
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BigQuery basics
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Building pipelines using Dataflow
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Exploring Looker dashboards
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Understanding data migration and warehousing
The content is practical, scenario-based, and aligned with exam objectives.
👉 Start with Skills Boost here
2. Practice with Certshields’ Associate Data Practitioner Mock Test
This is my secret weapon. I used the legitimate practice test from Certshields, which is freely available for professionals.
📌 Website: https://certshield.github.io/certshield-site/
Why I recommend it:
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🔄 Always updated with the latest exam blueprint
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📘 Comprehensive — covers all topics with a variety of questions
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📑 Well-explained answers that teach you the concepts (not just correct choices)
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💡 Teaches you to think like the exam
And best of all — the author offers free coupons to help the community, which I deeply respect. If you're short on time like me, this mock test simulates the real exam experience and solidifies your readiness.
💡 Key Takeaways from My Journey
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BigQuery is central — know its features, SQL functions, use cases
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Understand how to select the right GCP service for different data scenarios
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Cloud Storage classes, DMS migration approaches, and Looker basics are frequently tested
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Take mock tests that are updated and realistic — this boosts confidence significantly
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If you’re new to GCP, start with Skills Boost and the Data Practitioner path before aiming for Professional certifications
🎉 Final Words: Who Should Take This Certification?
The Associate Data Practitioner certification is a perfect entry point for:
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Aspiring Data Engineers or Analysts
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Non-technical professionals transitioning to cloud data roles
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Anyone aiming for Professional Data Engineer or Business Intelligence Engineer roles in the future
It’s an ideal mix of theory, practice, and use-case-driven questions — and a great way to show your grasp of Google Cloud’s data stack.
🙌 Gratitude & Community Support
I’m thankful to the GCP certification community, the Skills Boost platform, and Certshields for crafting an excellent practice experience. The GCP ecosystem keeps evolving, and it's great to see certification paths that reflect real-world data needs.
Feel free to drop questions or share your experiences. Let’s grow together in the world of cloud data!
#GoogleCloud #GCP #GCPDataPractitioner #GoogleCloudCertification #BigQuery #Looker #DataEngineer #SkillsBoost #Certshields #CloudCareers #GCPJourney #DataOnCloud #GCPExamExperience
