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).
228 Comments
Just finished the Fundamentals Exam. It was a little more challenging than expected, but I passed. The posts here were really helpful…Thanks!
I am going to take the Advance Search Exam tommorow, but wanted to know if it is a more difficult exam than the Fundamentals? Is it the same amount of time (3 hrs.)and questions (113)?
Thanks
Hi Sara G and Dylan,
Concerning the advanced exam, you’ll have also 3hrs but only 109 questions. That’s what I’ve done in March.
cheers, Suri
Hi,
I’m confused, you stated that Google asks more questions on Billing and Payments, but according to the study materials guide found here:
http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=examstudy.cs&exam=fundamentals
….the billing and payments section is grayed out, meaning we don’t have to study that.
So why do we get asked for such topic for the Fundamentals Exam??
Hello Elizabeth,
Sorry for my delayed response. On each question, there is a “mark for later review” option, which you can check if you want to review the question prior to submitting the exam. Good Luck!
Yoshi, as Suri stated, I believe the Google AdWords Advanced Exams have been increased to 3 hours as well, but since we have not had anyone at TriMark take an advanced exam within the past few weeks, I cannot be certain. If anyone knows for sure, please post here and let us know. Thanks everyone!
Hi Dylan
Thanks for the information. I have taken the adwords fundamentals exam and passed with 90%. I was a bit intimidated with the previous exam and users experiences in this blog’s comments, but the new exam was easier than I had anticipated. I wasn’t aware of the new updates to the exam back then.
Anyway, thanks for keeping this blog posted on the updates. I will be looking forward to take the Search Advanced Exam next week. Please post some tips or updates related to that as well…
Thought I’d share my experience too ..http://adwordsfundamentalsexamtips.blogspot.com
“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.”
THAT’S GOOD TO KNOW! Thanks for sharing Trimark.
I’ve taken fundamental exam second time and got 94%. I didn’t get the print. Now how can I see my score again in the computer. Please help. Thanks in advance.
Hello Alp, unless it has been recently changed, I believe you must first log into the Google AdWords Testing Center, and use the same email you took the test with to login. At this point, you’ll be able to see all past exam scores and certifications.
I’m not 100% sure about this, but I believe this is still the correct way to see all past AdWords Exam scores. If anyone knows a different way, please post and let us know. Thanks Alp!
Dylan, thanks for a great article and useful comments. Thanks to you I made it to 98% with Fundamentals.
I took the Advanced Search Exam yesterday and passed with 92%. The test was much tougher than I had expected. The test duration is 3 hours and there are 109 questions.
As I recall, a lot of questions were related to Invalid Clicks, Conversion Optimizer, MCC and Adwords API. Also a few from other Adwords Tools (ad preview, traffic estimator etc), Adwords Editor, Google Analytics and the relation of Google Places with your ads. There were a couple of questions related to Reach and Frequency Report (namely their definitions).
I didn’t know that the advanced exam expires after a year :S I thought it would expire after 2 years like the fundamentals. Any idea why is that so?
I noticed in the AdWords Certification Program Learning Center that section 7 (AdWords Billing and Payments) is included under “All Exam Study Materials”, but grayed out for all four exams. Does this mean that it is not actually covered on any of the exams? Can anyone shed some light on this?
Hey All-
Someone said the fundamentals exam was pretty conceptual and it is. It’s a 3 hour test that I finished in just a little over 1 hour. As long as you know the general concepts and manage campaigns on a daily basis, you are fine.
I took it the first time and passed with a 93%.
I am interested in what to expect for the Advanced Search Exam…..
Thanks!
Doomsday
Hello everyone.
I passed the fundamental exam with 89% and now i am going for the Advanced Search Exam.
As you mentioned before, it is best to use the MCC in order to train for the exams. I have to ask now, i am using a simple adwords account running one campaign. In orfer to create an MCC i have to create a new account with a new e-mail or i can ”transform” this simple one to an MCC?
Alex
Good question Alex-
I’d like to know too..is there anyway to check out an MCC if you are only running 1 account?
D
I re-took the advanced search exam (12 months since I last sat it). Did no revision, and spent just over 37 minutes on it, and got 95%. It is easy if you have sat it before, and use AdWords on a daily basis.
Hello Dylan,
I’m planing to appear for fundamental exam next week. I have two doubts:
1. Are all the questions in Fundamental Exam are Multiple choice questions or there are some subjective questions also?
2. After clearing Fundamental Exam, is there any specific time period to clear anyone of the advanced level exam?
Thanks in advance.
@alex & @Doomsday, as far as I know, you will need at least 2 accounts to view and actively understand all the many facets of the MCC. If you are only managing one campaign, I would suggest perhaps creating a second account simply for testing and full comprehension of the many uses of the MCC.
@Geetu, all questions are multiple choice, and as stated in many of the above comments, many of the questions are very conceptual, as opposed to definitional. However all answers are multiple choice, with some questions having many “good” answers, but one “best” answer.
Once you complete the Google AdWords Fundamentals exam, you have until your exam has expired (I believe Google has extended it to 2 years) to pass any or all of the Advanced Exams. Also, there is no REQUIRED order to take the exam. You may take an advanced exam first if you prefer, however the Google Certified Partner Program requires completion of the Fundamentals Exam and any one of the Advanced exams, as well as the required spend.
Thanks Geetu, I hope this helps. Good luck!
When I am trying to take Google Advertising Fundamental exam… I have downloaded & Run the testing center browser. It shows “Action Canceled – The might be temporarily unavailable.”
(June 23 – 11am – India)
Hi Dylan,
Very useful site with lots of good information.
I want to take the Fundamentals exam shortly and have these two questions if you could help me out.
1) Is 6.1. Adwords Policy, is that required reading for the Fundamentals?? That section is not marked on either of the four exams. And the same for chapter 7-Adwords Billing and Payments?? For which exam do we need to study this??
2) Once I am ready to take the exam can I do that the same moment or do I have to wait some time or days before I can sit in, and is the exam fixed at a certain hour too?
Thanks a lot.
Hello Raul,
There are questions regarding policies and restrictions of AdWords on the exam, as well a few questions regarding account setup, creation, and billing. I would definitely recommend studying that material as well.
Once you are ready to take the exam, you can pay the $50 fee and take it immediately. The Fundamentals exam is 3 hours maximum, and the time begins as soon as you click the “begin” button. All 108+ questions must be completed within the 3 hour time.
Good luck Raul!
Hi Dylan,
Thanks for your reply.
Here a link I found for some practise questions… http://inbaraj.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/introduction-to-adwords/
Another question: Its said that you can mark questions on the exam to visit later when time is left. Does this count for only un-answered questions? Or can you answer a question, then mark it to visit it later for a more thorough review and perhaps change your answer if there is time ofcourse? Thanks a lot.
Raul, you can either mark an unanswered question, or you can answer a question, and still mark it for review. This allows you to choose the answer you feel best about, but then still gives you the chance to go back and change it if you choose to.
Also, thanks for the sample questions. Quickly glancing through them, I think they may be a bit more definitional than the questions which are on the Fundamentals exam, but still great information to study.
Thanks again Raul, and good luck!
Hey Everyone.
I see a lot of questions regarding which study material to study. If you go to the learning center home for adwords, on the right hand side it says Google Advertising Fundamentals Exam. Under the text there it ha a link that says “print our Google Advertising Fundamentals Exam Study Material”. (http://adwords.google.com/support/aw/bin/static.py?hl=en&printable=1&page=examstudy.cs&format=inproduct) It has everything you need to study for the test. It has the part with the account management in there and policy info, etc. I got a 98% on the test so it definitely works.
Hi there
I sat the fundamentals exam yesterday with 113 questions, but was only given 2 hours to complete the exam. So might be worth making people aware there has possibly been a change, otherwise panic might set in as they log in to take the test!
(I passed btw – 95%)
Hello Heather,
Thanks for the info! It appears that Google may once again be making some changes to the AdWords Fundamentals Exam. TriMark hasn’t had anyone take the Fundamentals exam in-house recently, so we have not seen any new changes that may have been implemented as of late.
Congratulations on passing, good luck on the Advanced AdWords Exams Heather!
Also, if anyone else takes the Fundamentals Exam soon, please let us know if you are given 2 or 3 hours to complete the test. Thanks everyone!
Just took the Fundamentals Exam, passed with an 88%.
The test is in fact only 2 hours now, still 113 questions.
Some background info on myself:
- I have no AdWords/online advertising/any relevant experience (I’m a finance/econ major currently interning at a digital agency and was required to take the test representing the company)
- I started reading/studying the material exactly one week ago for approximately 4-5 hours/day (not including the weekend)
- I started by reading the fundamentals material in its entirety
- I then condensed the material into a 20-page packet (if you’d like me to email it to you, just let me know)
Other than that, I didn’t do much else.
My advice:
- Do not stress over this test
- A lot of the questions seem to be “trick” questions, read each one very, very carefully
- ABSOLUTELY mark answers to review later – I finished the test in just over an hour and then spent the rest of the 2nd hour reviewing my marked questions
Good luck to the rest of you guys!
Thanks Cameron, that is great information! I have updated my post with this new information. Thanks for helping us confirm the new 2 hour time allowance.
Congrats on passing the exam, and good luck on Advanced Google AdWords Exams if you take them!
Dear Cameron,
I’m currently studying for the exam. Would you mind sending your 20-page summary to my e-mail address, kevin.vangoggernolle@gmail.com? Thanks a lot in advance!
Thanks Dylan for the great information page!
BR, Kevin
Hey Cameron , also that will be great if you could find some time and send me your 20-page summary . My email dierausch@gmail.com
Thanks a lot.
Thanks
BTW awesome page Dylan
Hi Cameron,
I am currently studying for Google Adwords fundamental exam, can you please send me the 20-page material to my email address, mansijoshi08@gmail.com
Thanks in advance.
Mansi
First attempt @ AdWords Fundamentals exam. Fail – 78%. Some of those “best answer” questions really caught me out.
I know I fell down on some of the “Targeting” questions so I better scrub up on that section. I also noticed there were a lot questions relating to Targeting.
Does anyone know if the exam is the same each time (same questions, I mean)? Or when I take the exam again will I be faced with different questions? Or a mix of both?
I’m disappointed, as you might expect, but I’ve only being using AdWords for about 3 weeks, on & off. I started the material in the Learning Centre 2 weeks ago. I obviously needed more time.
@Cameron Jung: Hi Cameron. I see you’re inundated with requests for your ‘Cliff Notes’, however, I would appreciate if you could forward me a copy. Any additional study material I can get my hands on would prove to be a big help, I’m sure.
@Dylan Benton: Hi Dylan. Thanks for the great info you’ve submitted & to all the other readers/commentators for all your submissions. It’s been great to see how other people have been doing.
Congratulations to all who have passed & best of luck to all who have yet to sit the exam. And a special mention to those who rose to the task but fell in battle, better luck next time (myself included).
Cameron,
Please send your 20-page material to me as well – “uaspamfilter %AT% gmail.com”
Thank you!
Hello Dylan, Thanks for posting this great information.
Thanks Cameron for offering to share your study guide you created, my address is chicagoskw@gmail.com I would love to get a copy of it. I currently am studying online and have been stressed until I found this blog thanks for sharing everyone…
I will post when I am done.
Thanks again….
Hi Cameron,
I will be very grateful if you also will send me this 20-page materials.
Thank you very much!
sensey_chang@hotmail.com
Kristina
Hello Everyone,
Just so the comments don’t get out of hand with people requesting that Cameron send his study materials to them, I’m going to ask that Cameron please post his email address so that people may email him to request his AdWords Exam study guide.
I don’t want the comments on this blog to become a list of emails from people who want Cameron’s AdWords guide, so Cameron, please post your email.
Also, I will no longer be approving posts which simply provide their email and ask for Cameron to send to them. Unfortunately, posts such as these do not provide any additional use to the blog, and I want to make sure everyone reading this blog is getting the maximum benefit from it!
Thanks Everyone, and Cameron, please post your contact email as soon as possible.
Good Luck to everyone who has yet to take the Google AdWords Fundamentals Exam!
Sorry about that Dylan, didn’t expect such a flow of requests.
Does anyone know if the Advanced Search Exam is still a full 3 hours?
Just took the Advanced Search Exam. Passed with a 91%. Please note: Exam is now only 2 hours as well.
I found this exam to be extremely difficult/confusing. Heavy emphasis on AdWords Editor, API, Optimization, Location. Google takes “choose the Best Answer” to a whole new level with this one. I think I had more difficulty with this test because I’ve never even opened AdWords/MCC/Editor/Have NO idea what API is. But if you manage accounts on the reg, should not be an issue.
Pretty much studied the same way as the Fundamentals. Read through the entire Search Exam materials and then read it again, condensing it into a 45-page “test-taking aid.”
Good luck to the rest of you all, and again, thank you Dylan for providing such a useful resource for everyone.
Hello again Cameron,
I appreciate you providing your email contact so quickly. Congratulations on Passing the Advanced Search Exam. From my personal experiences, as well as those of my colleagues, we have found that the Advanced Search Exam is most similar to the AdWords Fundamentals exam in terms of question structure and type.
The Advanced Display and Reporting AdWords Exams are considered by many to be the most difficult. So if you choose to take those, study hard!
Thanks again for the additional info. And to everyone else, please continue posting your comments and thoughts about the Google AdWords Exams here!
Thanks Cameron for forwarding your notes to me. I really appreciate it. I’m going to have my 2nd attempt @ the exam this morning.
Fingers crossed!!!
Phew!!!
I passed the exam this morning with 89%. Not the best score, but I’ll take it! The exam was, as far as I can remember, exactly the same as my first attempt (same questions, I mean). I realised that they seem to ask the same questions twice, maybe 3 times, just in a differant format/scenario. Also, maybe it’s just me, but the questions also seemed to be grouped into their topics, for the most part (targeting, budget, etc.). I marked far more questions this time round & I felt that helped to get through the questions I knew a lot faster, leaving me enough time to come back to the marked ones. I also took photos of the questions that really caught me out so, incase I failed again, I could look up the answers & study harder on specific topics.
In my opinion, from my (limited) experience, I would say that 50% of the exam is somewhat easy/obvious, 25% moderate/makes you think & 25% difficult/confusing.
Now for the Advanced exams! Oh GOD, what have I gotten myself in to………?
Can you tell me what is the approximate number of question in fundamental exam and what is the approximate number of question in advance exam?
Can I take these exam separately?
Hi everyone, im about to take fundamentals exam and reading the blog had helped me a lot thanks for this space.
Luke do u still have the pics you took to questions? If so will be great if u can share them with me, my email es acili77@hotmail.com
Many thanks to everyone. And congrats to all and i will be posting my experience after taking the exam
See you later guys
Anne
Hello Guys,
I took the Google AdWords Fundamental Exam and scored only 74% and I am planning to retake the exam and I need some suggestions on it. Will the level of difficulty increase when you are retaking the exam? And how different the questions would be from the first time? If anyone has idea on this please comment. Thanks.
@Anne. Hi Anne. I was waiting for someone to ask. I’m having a little trouble with the SD card & my camera won’t connect to my/any PC (It’ll charge but won’t connect) but I’m still trying to get the photos off it. When/If I do, I’ll get them straight to you & anyone who needs them (or is that considered cheating?).
@shamima sultana. The fundamental exam is 113 questions in 120 mins. I’m not too sure about the Advanced.
@raj. I passed on my second attempt & found the exam much easier. To my knowledge, the exam was pretty much identicle to my first attempt. But that was my experience so I wouldn’t be too confident that It’ll be the same for you. Good Luck.
Hi Dylan,
I have just passed Google fundamentals exam. Now need to decide which advanced exam to take. Whichadvanced exam do you recommend to take, the Search or Display? Which one employers are looking for? Do you know which one is more challenging?
Thank you very much in advance!
@Luke, Hello, and thanks for your input on this blog. As I did for Cameron, I request that you post your email address so that you can forward any study materials you may have to anyone who requests. However, as I stated with Cameron’s study guide, I do not want a list of people posting only their email addresses requesting to have AdWords study materials sent to them. If you would like to post your email address so they can request it directly from you, that will be fine. Thanks again Luke, and congrats on your passing the AdWords exam!
@Marcelo, the Advanced Search Exam is a more detailed continuation of the AdWords Fundamentals Exam. So if you are most comfortable with textual ads on the Google Search Network, the Search Exam may be best. The Display exam focuses primarily on Image and Video Advertising on Youtube and other websites throughout the Display Network. I wrote a quick followup blog regarding the Google AdWords Advanced Exams & Certified Partnership Requirements to help people once they’ve passed the Fundamentals Exam.
I hope you find it helpful. Thanks everyone!
Why can’t I get these bloody photos off my bloody camera/SD card?????!!!!! Anyway, that’s my situation, I can’t get the photos off the card for some reason, sorry!
Currently studying for AdWords Advanced Search exam (ugh!). Plan to have 1st attempt on 16th Sept (will hopefully pass too, perhaps). I’m starting a course on Digital Marketing on the 19th Sept so hopefully it will be relevant to what my future plans are.
Hey all,
Just took the fundamental exam and scored 95% and I’m happy about it. Well I need to thank Cameron and Luke and of course Dylan for it.
Cheers!!!
@raj: Congratulations!! Well done. Just remember, it ain’t over yet……..!
I’m really struggling to get my head around this API thing. I understand it as much as I understand ’2001: A Space Odyssey’! It looks great, sounds great, but seriously, what the hell is it all about?
1 week to my first attempt! I say first because I have no doubt that there will be a second (& third, &……)!
Hi All
This really is a very helpful blog. Thank u Dylan for this! I’m taking the fundamentals exam on 17th Sep and have been preparing like crazy for it. Although I’ve advertising background (mainly offline) but this Adwords thing is really class apart! I’ve read the learning center material about 3 times now but still get confused on targeting topics.
Is the exam 2hr or 3hr and are there 120 ques or 113 ques? Also I had read on some of the other blogs there are case study type questions on the exam…is that correct? Anyone who’s taken the exam in the last 2-3 weeks could perhaps shed some light on this.
Cheers
Seth