Friday, 9 August 2013

Google AdWords Exam Tips from an AdWords Qualified Individual

Having Trouble with the Google AdWords Exam? I passed the exam a little over a month ago, and I remember searching endlessly for AdWords practice exams, sample questions, and study tips. Unfortunately, there just isn’t a lot of relevant information about it, especially since all the recent AdWords changes that Google implemented in November, 2009. Here is some advice from a Google AdWords Qualified Individual, employed by TriMark Solutions, a Google AdWords Qualified Company.
On November 29, 2009, Google made many significant changes to their Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam, including:
Raised the Passing Score From 75% to 85%.
• Increased the Question amount to 120 (up from around 100).
• Increased the test time to 2 hours even.
• Allowing testers to retake the exam once per 7 days, for a $50 fee each time.
• Included many more conceptual questions, limited definitional questions.
• Included questions with many correct answers, but one “Best” answer.
• Providing testers with a review button, which you can click to skip a question, and come back to it at the end of the exam (time permitting).
• Focused more on the small details of Google AdWords, rather than the broad scale ideas.
• Included many questions regarding billing, payments, and account management.
• Focused on the My Client Center (MCC) uses and benefits.
• Included a separate browser to take the test, preventing you from having other windows open on your screen (meaning you can’t cheat!)
• Overall, made the AdWords Exam much more demanding, ensuring that the average PPCer would not breeze through it.

The best advice I can give is to obviously read through the Google AdWords Learning Center. It contains a lot of information, basic and expert, which needs to be carefully read and learned. However, the “quizzes” are very watered-down and easy, not at all similar to the actual test questions.
Also, even though you only have approximately one minute per question, make certain to read through all answers, and mark the BEST answer. Many times, I would read an answer, mark it as correct, then continue reading the remaining answer choices, and have to rethink my choice.
I wouldn’t say the Google AdWords test is intentionally trying to confuse test-takers, I think the questions are intentionally designed to weed out the people who understand the basics of Pay Per Click Advertising from the industry professionals who truly understand the “How & Why” behind the questions.
Are you planning on taking the Google AdWords Exam soon? Post your questions and concerns here, and I’ll share my knowledge and experiences!

Google AdWords Exam Update – March 17th, 2011

As of yesterday (3.16.2011), TriMark Solutions can officially confirm a new Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam Format of:
  • 113 Total Questions (Down from 120)
  • 3 Hours to Finish Exam (Up from 2 Hours)
Many of the questions that pertained to specific advanced exams seemed to have been moved to the respective advanced exam, and removed from the AdWords fundamentals exam. For example, the questions about acceptable image ad sizes are no longer on the Fundamentals Exam, however those types of questions are still on the Advanced Display exams. As we learn more about the new AdWords Exam format, we will continue to update this blog post.

Google AdWords Exam Update #2 – August 9th, 2011

Based on the recounts of many AdWords Test Takers, it seems that Google has made another change to the exam format:
  • Exam Completion Time has Been Dropped Back Down to 2 Hours (Down from previous 3 hour timeframe)
This means that AdWords Exam takers will once again need to make sure to QUICKLY answer questions, as you will get just over 1 minute per question (113 questions in 120 minutes).
- See more at: http://www.trimarksolutions.com/inside/tips-tools/google-adwords-exam-tips-from-an-adwords-qualified-individual/#sthash.LR3slKBU.dpuf
Having Trouble with the Google AdWords Exam? I passed the exam a little over a month ago, and I remember searching endlessly for AdWords practice exams, sample questions, and study tips. Unfortunately, there just isn’t a lot of relevant information about it, especially since all the recent AdWords changes that Google implemented in November, 2009. Here is some advice from a Google AdWords Qualified Individual, employed by TriMark Solutions, a Google AdWords Qualified Company.
On November 29, 2009, Google made many significant changes to their Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam, including:
Raised the Passing Score From 75% to 85%.
• Increased the Question amount to 120 (up from around 100).
• Increased the test time to 2 hours even.
• Allowing testers to retake the exam once per 7 days, for a $50 fee each time.
• Included many more conceptual questions, limited definitional questions.
• Included questions with many correct answers, but one “Best” answer.
• Providing testers with a review button, which you can click to skip a question, and come back to it at the end of the exam (time permitting).
• Focused more on the small details of Google AdWords, rather than the broad scale ideas.
• Included many questions regarding billing, payments, and account management.
• Focused on the My Client Center (MCC) uses and benefits.
• Included a separate browser to take the test, preventing you from having other windows open on your screen (meaning you can’t cheat!)
• Overall, made the AdWords Exam much more demanding, ensuring that the average PPCer would not breeze through it.

The best advice I can give is to obviously read through the Google AdWords Learning Center. It contains a lot of information, basic and expert, which needs to be carefully read and learned. However, the “quizzes” are very watered-down and easy, not at all similar to the actual test questions.
Also, even though you only have approximately one minute per question, make certain to read through all answers, and mark the BEST answer. Many times, I would read an answer, mark it as correct, then continue reading the remaining answer choices, and have to rethink my choice.
I wouldn’t say the Google AdWords test is intentionally trying to confuse test-takers, I think the questions are intentionally designed to weed out the people who understand the basics of Pay Per Click Advertising from the industry professionals who truly understand the “How & Why” behind the questions.
Are you planning on taking the Google AdWords Exam soon? Post your questions and concerns here, and I’ll share my knowledge and experiences!

Google AdWords Exam Update – March 17th, 2011

As of yesterday (3.16.2011), TriMark Solutions can officially confirm a new Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam Format of:
  • 113 Total Questions (Down from 120)
  • 3 Hours to Finish Exam (Up from 2 Hours)
Many of the questions that pertained to specific advanced exams seemed to have been moved to the respective advanced exam, and removed from the AdWords fundamentals exam. For example, the questions about acceptable image ad sizes are no longer on the Fundamentals Exam, however those types of questions are still on the Advanced Display exams. As we learn more about the new AdWords Exam format, we will continue to update this blog post.

Google AdWords Exam Update #2 – August 9th, 2011

Based on the recounts of many AdWords Test Takers, it seems that Google has made another change to the exam format:
  • Exam Completion Time has Been Dropped Back Down to 2 Hours (Down from previous 3 hour timeframe)
This means that AdWords Exam takers will once again need to make sure to QUICKLY answer questions, as you will get just over 1 minute per question (113 questions in 120 minutes).
- See more at: http://www.trimarksolutions.com/inside/tips-tools/google-adwords-exam-tips-from-an-adwords-qualified-individual/#sthash.LR3slKBU.dpuf

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