Google Associate Android Developer
After being an Android developer for years, I am looking for a chance to enhance my knowledge to iOS development and even to learn something about the cloud architecture. Before that, I want to test my Android knowledge, therefore I took the exam of Associate Android Developer held by Google Developers.
Here is just a sample notes about Google AAD, as I found a lot of outdated information when I do my preparation. Actually more of the updated information is listed on the office website.
For short, here are the steps
- Go the exam website and choose your exam (Java or Kotlin)
- Login with your google account
- Verify your identity (Passport and selfie) and pay for the exam (USD$ 149)
- Install exam plugin in Android Studio
- Start the exam (Max 8 hours)
- Submit the exam
- Complete the interview with webcam (10 minutes, 5 Questions)
- Wait for the result
For long, here are my story…
If you developed Android applications for some years, like me, most likely you started with Java and using Kotlin now. No worries, Google offers the examinations, in Java or Kotlin, you can choose either one you want. You cannot take the both exam at the same time, but I don’t know if you can take them one at a time.
The examination fee is USD $149 which pay with credit / debit card. I paid with a Visa debit card.
Before you can pay for the exam, you will be asked to verify your identity, prepare your identify document such as passport or driving license, upload the scanned image or take a snapshot with your webcam. You need to take a selfie as well. The ID verification can be completed on either a computer with webcam or mobile phone. You may need to wait for 2 hours to complete the verification process. I used my BN(O) and Macbook to complete the verification, and wait for less that an hour before I can start my exam.
To take the examination, you just need a computer with Android Studio installed with a good network. You also need to login with your Google account as well. You will be asked to install an Android Studio plugin for you to download the examination project and submit the project when you finished. The project files will be deleted automatically after you have submitted.
About the examination time, I have read some blogs said about 48 hours, 24 hours even 3 attempts for 1 payment. Forget about the outdated information, as of Feb 2021, USD $149 for 1 attempt only and you will only have 8 hours to complete the examination. You do not need to start right after you pay, but I would suggest you to clear a full day schedule, pay for the exam and start it. 8 hours just as long as one working day.
For the exam scope, it can be included anything from app logic, UI, testing and debug. It would just like your boss gives your a task and asks you to finish by the end of the day. For my exam, I got a project with error, need to fix it to run, and follow the requirements to create some pages and use the local database for data handling. It is not difficult if you have hands on experience. You can also search from the Internet and this is not treat as cheating. However, it is not allow to find someone to help you take the exam. Google, Stack Overflow and Android Developer Documents will be very useful.
During the exam, you can close Android Studio even turn off the computer, but the clock is still running, once you spent 8 hours, the exam will be stopped and submitted automatically. Therefore, you have to make sure the project can be built and run. You will be failed if your project cannot be built and run. It is highly recommend that DO NOT enhance your code in the last few minutes. Spend your time to ensure your project can be built and run.
It looks like you can get a pass even you have not completed all requirements. I have not completed 1 to 2 requirements properly but still pass the exam. Complete the requirements as much as you can and as best as you can, but you must make sure the project can be built and run when you submit.
You will be asked to complete an “Interview” within 5 days after you submitted project. You need to record a video clip to answer 5 questions about the exam with maximum 10 minutes. Use a computer with webcam, follow the on-screen instruction, and the questions will be shown on the screen one by one. It does not have a real person interacting with you. Look at the camera and say what you want to say. The interview aims to test your understanding to the exam questions to verify the exam is done by you. It is also a good time for you to explain or supplement the what you have done in the project. I use this chance to explain the area that I have not done well. I think it would be good that I can show that I know how to implement the features conceptually but I just do not have enough time or any other reasons. The interview would be very casual.
I completed the interview right after I submitted my project and waited for 3 days to receive my pass result. The certificate and badge are ready in the next day. The certificate will only valid for 3 years, you have to take the exam again after 3 years.
It is not costly to spend a day and USD $149 to get a certificate of Associate Android Developer. Although the certificate may not be very useful in job market but I think still worth to have one.
I hope this note can help and good luck for your exam.