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Google Cloud Architect Study Guide

Professional Cloud Architect (GCP-PCA)

Master Google Cloud Platform services and architecture patterns with hands-on scenarios, best practices, and our comprehensive 10-week study plan.

10

Weeks

6

Domains

60

Questions

GCP Architect Exam Overview

What You'll Master

The Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification validates your ability to design, develop, and manage robust, secure, scalable, and dynamic solutions on Google Cloud. You'll demonstrate expertise in cloud architecture and Google Cloud technologies.

  • Design and plan cloud solution architectures
  • Manage and provision cloud infrastructure
  • Design for security and compliance requirements
  • Analyze and optimize technical processes
  • Manage cloud implementations effectively
  • Ensure solution reliability and operations
Exam Details

Duration

2 hours

Questions

50-60 questions

Format

Multiple choice

Passing Score

~70%

Cost

$200 USD

Validity

2 years

Exam Domains Breakdown

24%
Domain 1: Designing and Planning Cloud Solution Architecture
  • Design solution infrastructure that meets business requirements

  • Design solution infrastructure that meets technical requirements


Key Services

Compute Engine, GKE

Study Time

2.5 weeks

20%
Domain 2: Managing and Provisioning Solution Infrastructure
  • Configure network topologies

  • Configure individual storage systems


Key Services

Cloud Deployment Manager, Terraform

Study Time

2 weeks

20%
Domain 3: Designing for Security and Compliance
  • Design for security and compliance

  • Design for legal compliance


Key Services

Cloud IAM, Cloud KMS

Study Time

2 weeks

18%
Domain 4: Analyzing and Optimizing Technical and Business Processes
  • Analyze and define technical processes

  • Analyze and define business processes


Key Services

Cloud Monitoring, Cloud Logging

Study Time

2 weeks

10%
Domain 5: Managing Implementation
  • Advise development/operation team(s)

  • Interact with Google Cloud programmatically


Key Services

Cloud SDK, APIs

Study Time

1 week

8%
Domain 6: Ensuring Solution and Operations Reliability
  • Monitor/log/profile/alert solution components

  • Manage compute and storage resources


Key Services

Cloud Operations Suite, Cloud Billing

Study Time

0.5 weeks

10-Week Study Plan

GCP Fundamentals & Core Services

Week 1-2

  • Complete Google Cloud Fundamentals course

  • Learn core GCP services: Compute, Storage, Networking

  • Understand GCP global infrastructure

  • Hands-on: Create VMs, configure VPC, set up Cloud Storage

Solution Architecture Design

Week 3-4

  • Study Domain 1: Designing and Planning Cloud Solutions

  • Learn architecture patterns and best practices

  • Practice case study analysis

  • Hands-on: Design multi-tier applications on GCP

Infrastructure Management

Week 5-6

  • Study Domain 2: Managing and Provisioning Infrastructure

  • Learn Infrastructure as Code with Deployment Manager

  • Understand resource management and automation

  • Hands-on: Deploy infrastructure using templates

Security & Compliance

Week 7-8

  • Study Domain 3: Designing for Security and Compliance

  • Learn IAM, encryption, and network security

  • Understand compliance frameworks

  • Hands-on: Implement security controls and policies

Optimization & Operations

Week 9

  • Study Domain 4: Analyzing and Optimizing Processes

  • Study Domain 5: Managing Implementation

  • Study Domain 6: Ensuring Reliability

  • Learn monitoring, logging, and cost optimization

Final Review & Practice Exams

Week 10

  • Take 3 full practice exams (50-60 questions each)

  • Review case studies and scenario-based questions

  • Focus on weak areas and advanced topics

  • Final exam preparation and test strategies

Study Resources

Official Google Cloud Resources
  • Google Cloud Architecture Framework

  • Google Cloud Solutions Library

  • Google Cloud Training Courses

  • Google Cloud Documentation

Hands-on Practice
  • Google Cloud Free Tier

  • Qwiklabs Hands-on Labs

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost

  • Coursera Google Cloud Courses

Practice & Assessment
  • ExamCoachAI GCP Practice Tests

  • Google Cloud Official Practice Exam

  • Case study practice scenarios

  • Architecture design exercises

Ready to Architect on GCP?

Master Google Cloud Platform with our comprehensive study guide and practice with real GCP architecture scenarios to earn your certification.