Google ACE exam guide: format, domains, cost, and a free practice quiz covering environment setup, planning, deployment, operations, and security on Google Cloud.
The Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) validates hands-on ability to deploy, monitor, and manage workloads on Google Cloud using the console and the gcloud CLI.
It's the most popular hands-on Google Cloud certification and a strong foundation for the professional-level exams.
▶ Start the free Associate Cloud Engineer practice quiz| Certification | Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) |
|---|---|
| Exam code | Associate Cloud Engineer |
| Level | Associate |
| Format | Multiple choice & multiple select |
| Questions | ~50–60 questions |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | Not publicly published |
| Cost (USD) | $125 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | None (6+ months GCP experience recommended) |
Exam details change over time — always confirm the current specifics on the official exam page before you book.
The official exam is organized into these domains. Our practice bank mirrors them so you can drill each area:
| Domain | Exam weight | Practice questions |
|---|---|---|
| Setting Up a Cloud Environment | ~18% | 7 |
| Planning and Configuring a Cloud Solution | ~18% | 7 |
| Deploying and Implementing a Cloud Solution | ~25% | 9 |
| Ensuring Successful Operation | ~21% | 5 |
| Configuring Access and Security | ~18% | 8 |
Get hands-on with projects, IAM, billing, Compute Engine, GKE, Cloud Run, Cloud Storage, and networking (VPC, Cloud NAT, load balancing).
Practice the gcloud, gsutil/bq, and kubectl commands, plus monitoring/logging with the Cloud Operations suite.
The free quiz below covers all five ACE domains with explanations.
Our free Associate Cloud Engineer practice quiz has 36 scenario-based questions covering every exam domain. Each question includes the correct answer, a plain-English explanation of why it is right (and why the alternatives are wrong), and a reference to the relevant topic — so you learn as you go, not just test yourself.
▶ Practice Associate Cloud Engineer now — 36 questions, freeThe exam is practical; experience with gcloud and the console is very helpful. Around six months of GCP use is recommended.
About 50–60 questions in 120 minutes. Google doesn't publish the exact passing threshold.
Pick the cloud your work uses. Both are respected Associate-level credentials.
Professional certifications such as Professional Cloud Architect.