In an effort to help more educators reach their goal of becoming a Google Certified Educator Level 1, Level 2, or Google Certified Trainer, I have put together this Google Certification FAQ to answer your most frequently asked questions.
I get so many questions about Google Certification that I decided to put together this dedicated Google Certification FAQ post that answers the most frequently asked questions.
Some of the Google Certification FAQ questions below are also answered in a video format, and I have embedded those here for you.
You can also access the entire YouTube playlist here. (Subscribe to Shake Up Learning on YouTube to get notified of new videos!)
If your questions aren’t answered below, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
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Google Certification FAQ – Your Questions Answered!
Jump to a Section
This Google Certification FAQ page is quite extensive and covers both Google Certified Educator questions and Google Certified Trainer questions, as well as questions about the Shake Up Learning Google Certification Courses. Use the anchors below to jump to a section.
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General Google Certification Questions
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Google Certified Educator Questions
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Google Certified Trainer Questions
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Google Certification Course Questions
General Google Certification FAQ
Below is a general Google Certification FAQ about the certification options from Google.
What is Google Certification?
There are four different certifications offered by Google for Education. You can learn all the details of each program in my free ebook: The Complete Guide to Google Certifications.
Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2: Designed for educators and classroom teachers who wish to demonstrate proficiency in using Google for Education tools. The Level 1 status indicates that an educator is able to successfully implement G Suite for Education into their teaching practice in order to enhance teaching and learning. The Level 2 status indicates that an educator is able to successfully integrate a wider range of Google for Education tools and other technologies in order to transform their teaching practice.
Google for Education Certified Trainer: Google for Education Certified Trainers are passionate and driven education professionals with a desire to help others transform classrooms with technology. Whether you are a school’s go-to technologist, a stellar classroom teacher or an enterprising consultant, anyone is welcome to apply for membership in the program.
Google for Education Certified Innovator: Designed for education thought-leaders who create new and innovative projects using Google for Education tools. Innovator will not be addressed in the Q&A below. To learn more about Innovator, check out 5 Tips to Become a Google Certified Innovator.
What are the benefits of becoming Google Certified?
There are many benefits to the certification program. As a Google Certified Educator Level 1, you will become more proficient with G Suite tools and learn how to integrate technology meaningfully in your classroom. As a Level 2, you will become more of an expert with G Suite and learn how to integrate a wider range of tools. As a Google Certified Trainer, you will learn how to create engaging presentations and presentation materials, as well as have the opportunity to take your career to the next level.
You can learn more about all of the benefits in this post, infographic, and video, 10 Reasons to Become a Google Certified Educator.
Do you have to be a classroom teacher?
How long does it take to get certified?
How long does certification last? How long is it good for?
Do you have to be a Level 1 before going for Level 2?
No. Level 1 is certification is not a prerequisite for Level 2. If you want to skip Level 1 and go straight to Level 2, you can. However, if you plan on pursuing Google Certified Trainer, you will need both Level 1 and Level 2.
What’s on the exam?
You can expect to see a variety of G Suite tools on both exams. To see exactly what knowledge, skills, and applications are on each exam, I recommend you download the capacity matrix for each level. (Download Level 1 Capacity Matrix here, and Level 2 Capacity Matrix here.)
How much do the Level 1 and Level 2 exams cost?
The Level 1 exam is $10 and the Level 2 exam is $25. To learn more about the exam and get insider tips, download my free ebook: How to Pass the Google Certified Educator Exams.
How long is the exam?
Both Level 1 and Level 2 exams are timed. You have 180 minutes to answer a combination of matching, drag-and-drop, and performance-based scenario questions. The performance-based questions require that you perform tasks inside a special G Suite domain. (You receive special login credentials after you register for the exam.) You will be asked to create, share, and complete tasks in G Suite to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. To learn more about the exam and get insider tips, download my free ebook: How to Pass the Google Certified Educator Exams.
Can I open other websites and tabs during the exam? Is it “open book?”
Google is a forward-thinking company and doesn’t believe in locking down the outside world while you take your exam. You can and should open other tabs during your exam to double-check your answers using every tool at your disposal, including the Google Support Center and other resources that you used to study. However, keep in mind, it is a TIMED TEST. You cannot Google every answer. You gotta know your stuff!
How often is the exam offered?
Any of the exams, Level 1, Level 2, or Trainer Skills Assessment can be taken at anytime. Be sure you register at least 48 hours ahead of when you plan on taking it to insure you get your login credentials in time. Get more tips like these in my free ebook: How to Pass the Google Certified Educator Exams.
What is the #1 reason that people fail the Google Certified Educator exam?
What if I don’t pass the exam?
If you don’t pass an exam, you can take it again after 14 days. If you don’t pass a second time, you must wait 60 days before you can take it a third time. If you don’t pass the third time, you must wait a year before taking it again. Payment is required each time you take an exam. You will not receive specific feedback from Google on what exactly you missed, but in most cases, you know where you struggled, took too much time, and what you need to study before taking the exam again.
How much harder is the Level 2 exam?
If you have taken the Level 1 exam, you are halfway there. Just learning how to use the testing system itself is half the battle! The Level 2 exam is structured and time just like Level 1, but the content goes deeper and is more advanced. Expect more advanced skills in the core G Suite apps, and a wide arrange of lesser-known tools to be on the Level 2 exam. To see exactly what’s on the Level 2 exam, see this post: What You Need to Know to Pass the Level 2 exam?
How do you recertify?
After your 3-year certification has expired, you will be required to take the exam again to recertify.
Google Certified Trainer FAQ
Google Certification FAQ regarding the Google Certified Trainer program.
How much time does it take to become a Google Certified Trainer?
It varies for everyone! It depends on your level of expertise and how many of the steps you have completed. It also depends on your experience level as a trainer, and how much time you need to build up your resume. I recommend you review this article that includes an infographic and video of the 6 Steps to Google Certified Trainer. In addition, you may want this FREE ebook: How to Become a Google Certified Trainer.
Do I have to already be a trainer before I apply to become a Google Certified Trainer?
You must demonstrate that you have proven experience training on Google tools in schools. Your role doesn’t have to officially be as a trainer, but you will be required to prove you can meet the minimum of 12 Google trainings per year.
Do my trainings have to be large group, or can I count 1-on-1 or small group?
You can count your more informal training sessions with one or more participants when you report your trainings to Google. However, it is recommended that you have more formal experience with large groups and at conferences included in your application.
How often do Google Certified Trainers travel to other schools?
This depends on what you want to do! Google doesn’t assign you any training jobs. Your only requirement is to meet the minimum 12 trainings per year. Where you do that is up to you.
How much is the trainer exam (Trainer Skills Assessment)?
The trainer essentials exam is $15. The exam consists of 25 multiple choice and matching questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam.
Is the trainer exam more difficult than Level 2?
No! 25 multiple choice questions.
What are the application requirements?
There are many requirements for the application, including your Level 1, Level 2, and Trainer Skills Assessment certificates, an application video, and sharing feedback and materials from your training sessions. You can learn more in this post and video about everything they ask for in the application: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Google Certified Trainer Application.
What was the hardest part of becoming a trainer?
This will vary depending on who you ask. For me, it was the exams and application video. We all have different strengths and weaknesses.
For the tutorial video, should I keep it simple or are they looking for creativity and innovation?
Don’t go simple! Show off your mad Google skills!
“In the first minute, wow us by explaining why you wish to become a Trainer and what makes you unique and Googley! The final 2 minutes of the video should teach the audience how one feature of Google’s productivity suite, Chromebooks, Chrome, or Android Tablets can be innovatively applied in a classroom or school setting. Screencasts are preferred.”
Do I have to be an expert with using Google before taking the trainer course?
No, you can take the exams in any order and the trainer skills assessment is about training strategies and best practices. GCE Level 1 & Level 2 is where you will learn how to beef up your Google skills.
If my application is not approved, is there a way I can find out what I need to improve on for the next wave?
Not typically. But most often it is lack of experience or not sharing your video and documentation correctly so that the evaluators can view them. Be sure that you have demonstrated that you have proven experience delivering Google-focused training and can meet the 12 trainings per year requirement.
How do you recertify?
The Google Certified Trainer certification requires that you meet yearly requirements, (1) report a minimum of 12 trainings per year, (2) upload resources to the shared resource database, (3) take a yearly product update exam.
Google Certification Course FAQ
Can’t I get all this for free?
No. The Google Teacher Center is great and offers some support to help you prepare, but it’s not the solution for every learner. I wrote some of the lessons for Google so please do not think that I am criticizing. There is a reason why so many people look for more support, face-to-face training, and online training. The training offered in the Google Teacher Center is mostly text-based and doesn’t provide step-by-step tutorials. It’s great if you don’t need that and can learn on your own, but if you want more my courses can help!
Here’s a comparison:
How long are the Shake Up Learning courses?
What if I am unhappy with the course?
When does the course start and finish?
Google changes all the time. How often will this course be updated?
Is there credit for the course?
Do you accept purchase orders?
FREE Webinar: How to Get Google Certified
Do you want to learn more about the certifications and what it takes to achieve each one?
Getting Google Certified can be daunting and confusing, so I put together this free webinar on How to Get Google Certified!
In this webinar, I will give you an overview of Google Certification, Google Certified Educator Level 1, Google Certified Educator Level 2, and Google Certified Trainer.
REGISTER for the Webinar
Google Certification Academies
I also teach online boot camps to walk you through all the skills and help you prepare for the exams. I have helped thousands of educators through these online, self-paced courses!
Learn more about each course using the links below:
Google Training for Schools
We have many programs to help your teachers learn how to meaningfully integrate Google tools and the entire suite in the classroom. From online courses to books, to face-to-face training, we got you covered!
COVID-19 forced many teachers and schools to scramble to find tools to deliver online assignments, design digital learning experiences, and G Suite was the number one suite of tools to help make this a reality.
Just in time resources and learning will help teachers, students, and parents survive the crisis. When we return to the new normal, Google skills will help set the foundation for more dynamic and meaningful learning in the classroom.
Get your entire campus or district on board with Google! Help your teachers learn more about Google tools, Google Classroom, and meaningful technology integration strategies. You can even help all your teachers become Google Certified Educators!
GoogleTrainingforSchools.com
Check out all of the FREE Google Certification Resources from Shake Up Learning!
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