Getting Google AdWords Certified

For me, working in SEM, getting AdWords certified was a no brainer.  The question was -when I was going to have the time to take the exam.  When I received my promotion at work, it was clear that I needed to get certified.  Finishing up your degree while working in a position similar to one which you would hope to get after college is hard work.  When you work in an agency, balancing your college experience and remembering when you are in the office you are a professional, can be hard.  So I decided to take the exam during my spring break because I had the time to put in the hours to study or so I thought.

Sadly, my brain was fried from the previous quarter and balancing everything that more sleeping happened than studying.  My first go at the exam was on a Thursday and I will be the first to admit, I failed because I did not put in the effort that was actually needed.

Because I was still new to using AdWords all the time in my profession, I was not familiar with all the required elements for the exam.  I took the advanced search exam the following day and passed but had to wait 7 days to retake the fundamental exam to get officially certified.  I was able to retake the exam a week later after I had actually studied for the exam and took a lot of notes.  I actually learned a lot of practical topics that I use in my current job at the agency.  I sat for the
When taking the exam you need to understand some basic topics:

• Understanding the different metrics and areas of AdWords.
• Know the different metrics such as Click Thru Rate (CTR), Conversion Rate, Clicks.
• Understand how to achieve the goal you want.
• Know how to use AdWords Editor
• Know how to Target different groups of people.
• What changes can be made at the different levels such as campaign vs. ad group.
• Access levels.
• MCC accounts

The Adwords exam was nerve-racking because you need to achieve the following scores:

• On the Google Advertising Fundamentals Exam, a passing score is 85%.
• On the Search Advertising Advanced Exam, a passing score is 80%
• On the Display Exam, a passing score is 70%

These may sound simple; however, you need to achieve these scores with a locked screen which really means the test before proceeding makes you download a screen block which only allows you to see that screen for the duration of the exam.  In order to gain certification you must pass the Google Advertising Fundamentals Exam and one of the advanced exams: Search or Display.  I choose to take search because I was more familiar with that area of AdWords.

It is important to note that a Google certification last for two years, after that you will need to retake the exam.  Each exam costs $50; however, if your company is part of the Google Certification Program you may be able to gain access to the exam at no cost to you.

Another thing to remember when reading this blog and any other blog on this topic is that Google has the right to change the exam at any time.  They are constantly changing different areas of the exam including time, number of questions, concepts, questions, level of difficulty, etc.  When I took the exam I had two hours for 90 questions on one part and 112 questions on the other part (give or take a few questions).  AdWords is constantly changing and now with Enhanced Campaigns I am sure the exam will change even further.    Just study the material and you will be fine.