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5 Tips on Passing the Google Adwords Qualified Professional Exam

September 9th, 2009 | Amber | Exams, Google AdWords


One thing here at PPCHero we make sure of is that all of our writers pass the Google Adwords Qualified Professional Exam before writing for the blog.  We just added four new people to our team and we’re still growing.  But now that they’re finished with their PPC training, it’s time they prepare for the Google Adwords Exam.

The Google Adwords Qualified Professional status can be obtained at either the individual level or the company level. In order to receive the company level status at least 2 employees have to pass the exam.  Unfortunately, your status expires after 2 years, so you may have to take it multiple times in order to keep your individual or company status. The exam costs $50, and yes, you have to pay that each time you take the exam for each person.

Here are just a few tips on how to successfully pass the exam with flying colors – without giving away any answers.

  1. Utilize the learning center – You do have an hour to take the exam, and I believe there are 75 – 100 questions in the exam.  With that said, you can use your notes, use Adwords, or look up answers online. However, most of the questions, if not all of them, are taken from the Adwords learning center itself.  So take the time and go through the learning center tutorials and reading material.  It will make a serious difference.
  2. Know Google Adwords ad text policies – t\The one thing I remember most is they ask you a ton of ad text guidelines and policies questions.  What can you say in your ads, what can’t you say, how many characters are in the title, description, destination URL, etc. Know your ad rules!!!
  3. Put yourself in scenarios – Especially for the ad text, when studying for the exam, test yourself by using scenarios.  Example, Here is an ad text – tell me all the items that violate the GA ad text guidelines. Then you have to choose between a. b. c. or d. Also, there are scenario questions about ROI and CTR and how to know when you need to pause an ad or keyword and when you should increase or decrease their bids.
  4. Know how to calculate ROI – If you only work on lead based PPC accounts or click only accounts, you better learn how to calculate ROI.  There are questions that put you in a scenario where they show ads or keywords with a certain ROI, and you have to know which ad or keyword to pause. So, if you don’t understand ROI, learn it now.
  5. Know where things are – You will be asked questions on which reports you can run for certain information and where you access conversion tracking codes, etc.

Although there is a separate Google Analytics exam, you should know the essentials of Google analytics reporting, goals, funnels, etc.

Taking and passing the Google Adwords Qualified Professional exam is great to have on your website and resume and can be a great selling tool. As we talk about trust symbols and certifications to put on your landing pages to increase conversions, this is one of them!  Just be sure you adhere to the Google certification logo guidelines before posting it everywhere.

If you think you need more explanation or teaching other than the tutorials you can watch these great videos on YouTube called the Google Business Channel. They give you videos obviously and offer more of a visual representation of the learning material. If you have more questions about the Google Adwords Qualified Professional exam and their qualifications you can check out their FAQ.

Good luck!

Related posts:

  1. 6 Tips on Passing the Google Adwords Qualified Professional Exam
  2. Getting Certified in Google Adwords, Yahoo! and MSN AdCenter
  3. Everything You Need To Pass The Google Advertising Fundamentals Exam
  4. Everything You Need To Ace Microsoft’s adExcellence Exam
  5. The Complete Guide To Taking The Microsoft adExcellence Exam
  • http://www.atlantarealestateinfo.com/ AtlantaRealEstate

    I never knew this existed! I don’t really care about being certified personally, but going through the process, I’m sure I would learn a lot and thus, benefit.

    RM

  • http://www.seolearn.com.cn Squbu

    Form your good post,I kown I should learn more google adwords ad text policies

  • http://www.brian-hancock.com Brian Hancock

    Just a heads up, the entire testing program is being re-worked and will be split into 4 tests next year. Another important point, the new tests will be taken in a special program that you download. The programs prevents opening up the web browser, switching to any other application, etc. which prevents cheating.

    I took part in a beta of 2 of the new tests a few weeks ago…

  • http://linkdisco.com linkdan

    Maybe worth taking the test before the changes then? Although restricting opening a web browser is hardly going to inhibit anyone – you can simply have a second computer running (eg a laptop open beside your desktop) and look up anything you like…

  • http://www.compucall-usa.com naomi

    I also recommend reading the financial and accounting materials. These are topics that you don’t bump in to on a daily AW management routine, and there are always a few questions regarding billing that you don’t want to miss.

  • http://www.shikhashikz.com shikha

    Hi,
    Do you think going thru Learning Center and hands on experience is sufficient to pass the xam.I plan to appear for the exam this week and a bit anxious.

    shikha

  • http://www.theideashome.com Indu Priya- internet marketing expert

    I think it is better to do a ppc campaign before taking the test

  • http://www.insidetrimark.com Dylan

    @ Indu, I definitely agree. Some of my colleagues who had never managed an actual PPC account had trouble passing it. Not to mention they were taking the revised exam (Google AdWords Exam was made much more difficult in November, 2009). I passed the revised test in January 2010, and I created a Google AdWords Study Tips blog which I think will help anyone studying.

    http://www.trimarksolutions.com/inside/tips-tools/google-adwords-exam-tips-from-an-adwords-qualified-individual/

    Please check it out and tell me what you think!

  • http://www.stuseo.com john

    Google Adwords Qualified Professional Exam? I’ve never heard of it?thanks let me know

  • Morsalx

    Hello everyone,

    I ve passed the fundamental test but i have to admit that were questions not explained in the study center. For example, in some results it appears the city or the name of a region; this is because the user enter it in the query or the advertiser add it as keyword?

    What you suugest i should try now? Analytics maybe?

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