How to Pass the Google Analytics Certified Exam

Preparing and passing the GAIQ, the Google Analytics exam is the best way to deeply understand this software, with all that it entails. You dare?

Thinking  of taking the Google Analytics certified exam ? So we want to warn you: you have to prepare. In these short lines we want to explain how to do it without failing.

Of course, if you do not know what Google Analytics is, you will first have to do an accelerated immersion in the tool. In this  quick introduction to the Google Analytics platform  you will find many of the basic answers to the most common questions.

But beware, it is not advisable to make this a theoretical exercise. The best way to learn is ALWAYS doing, so the ideal is that you already have a working account, where you can at least navigate through the functionalities.

What google wants from you when examining you

The test is since years now  free , and can be repeated as many times you want to remove. With this gratuity, Google wants you to take the exam and use its tool, but it will also ask you for some basic knowledge about it.

In the  Google Analytics Academy  you can find this knowledge. It is what Google considers you should know, so it is  what you have to study . Do not forget to put subtitles in Spanish to the videos of Justin Cutroni and company.

Preparing for the exam

Our recommendation is that, as you go through the lessons, you browse the tool looking for the functionalities and tinkering a bit. If you don't want to break anything, create a test view for yourself, so you don't lose data in the main view if you screw up.

We are not going to repeat the syllabus of the courses, but we do consider that there are a series of topics that are going to fall on you, yes or yes:

1. The  structure of a GA account and its permissions . Google wants you to know how to manage an account with many properties, views, and users.
2. The  operation of data processing . A classic question has to do with recovering data that is excluded from a filter. With this question, Google ensures that you understand how Google processes and delivers data.
3. The  difference between metrics and dimensions  and how we can cross them in reports. You will have to show that you understand the type of data that a website collects, and what you can do with it.
4. The different  measurement sections of a website : audience, acquisition, behavior, conversion. This will fall for sure, you need to show that you know what are the aspects that Google considers to be measured on a website.
5. How do you  interpret basic metrics and dimensions  with specific business objectives, such as e-commerce.
6. The  types of reports and how to generate them . Without this, you will have little use for GA. Remember that filters (very important) and segments (super important) also come in here.
7. How to  set up events and goals . This is essential if we want to get the most out of the tool, and that is why they will surely ask us.
8. You can also expect some questions regarding  attribution models , and  multi-channel funnels . Although these are more advanced features, it is good to know about them.
9. Lastly, expect any questions about  Intelligence Events , and the  GA Solutions Gallery  (a great resource not to be missed).

And yes, you can take the exam in Spanish. Do not worry.

Taking the exam

The test lasts 90 minutes and consists of 70 questions with multiple answers. The exam is accessed through the  Google partner page . To pass the exam you must have at least 80% of the correct questions.

During the exam we recommend having the resources mentioned above open in your browser, your Analytics account, and the Google search engine.

Pass the exam

Once the exam is passed, Google will put in your profile within Google Partners that you have obtained the certification. You can print it, and even extract a reference link. The certificate is valid for the next  18 months from the date it is approved .

We have to warn you: GAIQ will be of no use to you if you don't use the tool. And for that, you have to make the most of it. If you want more information on how to perform advanced web analytics, you can consult the  Avinash blog , the  Google Analytics blog , or the  Justin Cutroni blog .

You just have to throw yourself. The test is just a first step in the wide world (it really is) of measuring user behavior on the Internet. Go for it!