Google regularly updates its educator certifications with new content, requirements and questions. If you are getting ready to take the exam in 2023, this short summary will give you the most up-to-date information available.
The details I am sharing are based on my personal experience with the level 1 exam.
I have taken the level 1 exam at least once per year since 2018 in order to prepare for the Google Certification Academy.
If you are planning on taking the exam in 2023, this summary will help you pass the first time!
Exam Format
The format of the Level 1 exam hasn’t changed for 2023:
- 35 “multiple choice” questions (read more below!)
- 3 hour time limit (typically takes about 90 minutes)
- Exam fee: $10
- Minimum passing score: 80%
The exam is open book / note, but there is a time limit, so you need to work efficiently.
If you don’t pass the first time, you can register and take the exam again after 3 days.
Tip: download my free L1 study guide for a comprehensive list of the products included on the exam.
Level 1 question format
Describing the level 1 exam as “multiple choice” is a little misleading. In addition to traditional multiple choice questions you will also receive matching and “select all that apply” style questions.
While you will only receive 35 questions, you are actually making significantly more selections (60 by my count) due to the structure of the questions.
What’s on the Level 1 exam?
The level 1 exam will test your knowledge of core Google Workspace products including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and Classroom. You need to be comfortable using these tools in a classroom context in order to pass the exam.
As you will see from the teacher feedback I’ve included below, this exam is not easy. You need to be prepared if you want to pass the first time.
Google has a large bank of questions, so every exam is unique. I’ve provided a general summary of my experience below, but your exam will feature a unique selection of questions.
I noticed a some updates on the 2023 exam that are worth mentioning:
- New questions on Smart chips for Google Docs (a new feature added in 2022)
- New questions on Google Search
- Increased emphasis on Google Sheets (5 more questions than in 2022)
- New questions on the integrations between Meet and Google Classroom (new features added in 2022)
The links above will give you more details on these updates to help you prepare for your level 1 exam.
Feedback from other teachers
I have the benefit of working with several hundred teachers each year through the Google Certification Academy. They frequently share their experience after passing their exam.
Here’s what a few of them had to say after taking the level 1 exam
Taking the Level 2 exam? Read my 2023 exam review!
How to prepare for the level 1 test in 2023
As you can see from the replies above, the L1 test is no joke! You need to be comfortable using the Google tools assessed on the exam if you want to pass the first time.
There are several good resources that you can use to prepare:
- Free Google Fundamentals course – this self-paced course offered by Google covers everything on the exam. Unfortunately, it’s pretty boring. If you can stay awake, it will definitely help prepare you for the test.
- Level 1 study guide – I put together a free study guide that lists all of the skills you need to master to pass the level 1 exam in 2023.
- Google Certification Academy – If you feel that preparing with a group would be helpful, join me for an upcoming GCA! These LIVE virtual sessions will help you pass the level 1 exam the first time!
Additional links & resources:
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful. I would strongly recommend that you read through my FAQ page which answers a lot of common questions about the exam rules, retake policy, and where to go if you have technical issues with your exam.
- Download my free certification guide
- Google Certified Educator FAQ
- Exam support form
- Register for an upcoming Google Certification Academy
- Level 2 exam review (2023 updates)
Share your experience with the L1 exam!
Did you take the L1 test? I would love to hear about your experience. Drop a comment below and help other teachers who are ready to earn their Google Certification!
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