Validates ability to design, develop, and manage secure, scalable, and highly available solutions on Google Cloud. Covers cloud architecture patterns, GCP services, and enterprise migration strategies.
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Sign in to RateAggregated from "GCP cert pathway" threads
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May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
For ML / data engineering paths, PCA + Pro Data Engineer combo regularly cited as strongest GCP track. BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub deeply tested. Less networking depth than AWS SAP — different focus area.
Aggregated from cross-cloud architect threads
Does not count toward average ratings or recommendation %.
May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
Career-pivot from AWS / Azure architects: PCA is doable in 2–3 months with hands-on GCP exposure. Without prior cloud architect experience, plan 4–6 months. Free $300 GCP credit + Cloud Skills Boost labs cited as essential.
Aggregated from "PCA case studies" threads
Does not count toward average ratings or recommendation %.
May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
Exam tests against four Google-published case studies (Mountkirk, Dress4Win, TerramEarth, EHR Healthcare). Memorizing them is essential — questions reference specific company facts. Most-cited prep: Coursera + Whizlabs + reading the case studies repeatedly.
Aggregated from r/googlecloud PCA threads + Google salary data
Does not count toward average ratings or recommendation %.
May 10, 2026
HR Value
Worth Cost
Learning
Exam Difficulty
Frequently cited as the highest-paying cert in Google Salary surveys (Global Knowledge / Skillsoft). Higher demand in data-startups, ad-tech, EU tech-hubs. 2-year recert. $200 fee. Coursera GCP specialization + official case studies are core prep.
Official Google specialization. Covers exam objectives + 4 hands-on Qwiklabs.
Most-cited paid practice tests on r/googlecloud.
The 4 official case studies (Mountkirk, Dress4Win, TerramEarth, EHR). Memorize them — exam questions reference details directly.
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Exam Duration
2h
Pass Score
Not published (scaled)
Remote Proctored
Yes — remote or test center
Exam Languages
Study Time
~150 hours