Certification preparation
Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect in Accra
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Over five days, design, build and secure scalable cloud architectures through guided labs, case studies and exam-focused practice.
THE BIG PICTURE
About this course
The Professional Cloud Architect certification is awarded by Google Cloud to practitioners who can design, build, and manage secure, scalable, and reliable solutions on its platform. This 5‑day course blends architecture theory with hands‑on labs across compute, storage, networking, data, and operations. You will work through case studies, design reviews, and implementation exercises using services such as Compute Engine, Kubernetes, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and identity controls, with daily exam‑style practice. The exam is a scenario‑based, multiple‑choice and multiple‑select test lasting 120 minutes. It is closed book and can be taken online with remote proctoring or at a test centre via Kryterion Webassessor. The certification is valid for two years. Google Cloud owns the certification scheme. MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited or authorised partner.
What you’ll learn
- Elicit and document functional and non‑functional requirements and map them to cloud services
- Design secure, scalable architectures using Compute Engine, GKE, serverless, and data services
- Plan VPC networks, load balancing, hybrid connectivity, and resilient deployment topologies
- Apply IAM, organization policy, network security, data protection, and key management controls
- Provision and automate infrastructure with Terraform and gcloud, using sound release strategies
- Set SLOs/SLIs, implement monitoring, logging, backup/DR, and cost optimization approaches
- Review case studies, evaluate trade‑offs, and communicate architecture decisions clearly
- Practise exam‑style questions, take a timed mock, and build a personal study and booking plan
A CLEAR PATH FORWARD
5-day course agenda
5 instructor-led days (40 contact hours) mapped to the exam domains. Each day combines short concept sessions, hands-on practice on a running case study and exam-style questions.
- Learning route
- 5 recommended days
- Practical work
- 5 guided activities
- Finish with
- Mock exam + certification exam
Take a look at each day. Open a section to see the topics and practical work.
Day 1Architecting for requirements and trade‑offsDesign and plan architecture; analyze and optimize business and technical processes
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–10:30 · Course orientation, certification overview, architecture principles and trade‑offs
- 10:45–12:15 · Requirements gathering, NFRs, risks and constraints; mapping needs to services
- 13:15–14:45 · Reference architectures: multi‑tier web on managed compute and databases
- 15:00–16:00 · Data design patterns with Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and data flow options
- 16:00–16:30 · Networking foundations: VPCs, subnetting, routing, and load balancing choices
- 16:30–17:15 · Exam-style practice questions: requirements to high‑level design
- 17:15–17:30 · Day wrap‑up and takeaways
Put it into practice
Design a high‑level architecture for a greenfield workload from a short case brief. Present service choices, risks, and alternatives in a decision log.
You’ll take away
Initial solution architecture and decision log
Day 2Provisioning compute, containers, storage and networksManage and provision solution infrastructure; networking and workload placement
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap and Q&A from Day 1
- 09:30–10:30 · Infrastructure as Code with Terraform and gcloud; modules, state, and policies
- 10:45–12:15 · Compute Engine patterns: instance templates, MIGs, autoscaling, images
- 13:15–14:45 · GKE architecture: node pools, workload deployment, scaling and upgrades
- 15:00–16:00 · Networking design: VPCs, shared VPC, peering, Cloud Load Balancing
- 16:00–16:45 · Storage selection: Cloud Storage classes, Persistent Disks, Filestore trade‑offs
- 16:45–17:15 · Exam-style practice questions: provisioning and networking scenarios
- 17:15–17:30 · Day wrap‑up and parking‑lot review
Put it into practice
Provision a multi‑tier application using Terraform, deploying Compute Engine and a GKE service behind Cloud Load Balancing. Validate health checks, scaling behaviour, and rollback.
You’ll take away
Terraform configurations and a working deployed environment
Day 3Security, identity and compliance by designDesign for security and compliance; organization controls and data protection
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap and Q&A from Day 2
- 09:30–10:30 · IAM design: least privilege, custom roles, service accounts and workload identity
- 10:45–12:15 · Organization policy, folders, projects, quotas, and perimeter controls
- 13:15–14:45 · Network security: firewall policy, Private Google Access, Cloud NAT, Cloud Armor
- 15:00–16:00 · Data security: CMEK vs CSEK, Cloud KMS, DLP, Secret Manager, encryption in transit
- 16:00–16:45 · Compliance mapping and audit readiness: logging, access transparency, controls
- 16:45–17:15 · Exam-style practice questions: security and compliance
- 17:15–17:30 · Day wrap‑up and key security takeaways
Put it into practice
Harden an existing project: implement org policies, IAM bindings, VPC firewall hierarchy, and CMEK for storage. Verify controls via logs and access tests.
You’ll take away
Security architecture baseline and control checklist
Day 4Implementation, reliability and operationsManage implementation; ensure solution and operations reliability
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap and Q&A from Day 3
- 09:30–10:30 · Release strategies: blue/green, canary, CI/CD options, artifacts and rollout safety
- 10:45–12:15 · SRE concepts: SLOs/SLIs/error budgets; Cloud Monitoring and Logging
- 13:15–14:45 · Resilience: autoscaling, regionality, multi‑region, backup and disaster recovery
- 15:00–16:00 · Troubleshooting patterns and incident response; Cloud Trace and Profiler
- 16:00–16:30 · Cost governance: quotas, budgets, committed use discounts, rightsizing
- 16:30–17:00 · Exam-style practice questions: reliability and operations
- 17:00–17:30 · Day wrap‑up and personal action plan
Put it into practice
Instrument an application with monitoring and logging, define SLOs, and trigger an incident drill. Implement a backup and recovery test for a stateful component.
You’ll take away
Operations runbook with SLOs, dashboards and DR plan
Day 5Integrating the case study and exam readinessAll domains integrated via case studies and targeted review
What we’ll cover
- 09:00–09:30 · Recap and Q&A from Day 4
- 09:30–10:30 · Case study analysis: requirements, constraints, and risk assessment
- 10:45–12:15 · End‑to‑end solution design: services, topology, security and operations
- 13:15–14:15 · Design review and peer critique; refine decisions and justifications
- 14:30–16:00 · Timed mock exam (scenario‑based, multiple‑choice/multiple‑select)
- 16:00–16:45 · Mock debrief: rationale, common pitfalls, and targeted revision
- 16:45–17:15 · Exam booking guidance, policies, and test‑day checklist
- 17:15–17:30 · Final Q&A and next steps
Put it into practice
Work in teams on a full case study to produce an exam‑style solution and rationale. Sit a timed mock and review answers against the exam domains.
You’ll take away
Completed case study pack and personal exam study plan
Bring it all together
Certification exam: Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Architect, awarded by Google Cloud. 120 minutes, closed book, online proctored or test centre via Kryterion Webassessor. Validity: Two years from the date of certification. Every attendee also receives a MindClick certificate of completion for 40 contact hours.
What you receive
You earn two separate credentials. The sample shows the MindClick training certificate.
- MindClick certificate of completion: 5 days, 40 contact hours, issued to every attendee who completes the course.
- Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Architect: issued by Google Cloud when you meet its requirements and pass the exam.
Before you choose your learning route
Session timings are indicative; the trainer may adjust them for the group. Exam details reflect the awarding body’s published information at the time of writing; confirm the current version when you book.
Google Cloud owns this certification scheme. MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited or authorised partner of Google Cloud.
Fees
| Delivery format | Fee per learner | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|
| Live online | $2,800 USD | Included |
| Classroom | $4,500 USD | Included |
One awarding-body certification exam attempt is included in the training fee. Confirm the current fee, any applicable tax and what the fee covers in writing before you pay.
Prerequisites
- No formal prerequisites. Recommended: 3+ years of industry experience including 1+ year designing and managing solutions on Google Cloud. Bring a laptop with a modern browser and local admin rights; a temporary lab environment will be used in class.
FIND YOUR START
Confirmed batch starts
Choose a published start, then review your offer in the same enrollment flow. A start date is not the full timetable or a seat reservation.
Choose your country & monthStarts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Joining details and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Joining details and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Starts
- Training location
- Accra, Ghana
- Local timezone
- Africa/Accra
Venue and full session timetable to be supplied.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the course?
5 days, 40 contact hours, normally 09:00 to 17:30 with breaks. The agenda follows the exam domains and the final day includes a mock exam.
What is the exam format?
Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Architect: 120 minutes, closed book, online proctored or test centre via Kryterion Webassessor. Confirm the current version with the awarding body when you book.
Is the exam included?
Yes. Outside India the fee includes one certification exam attempt. Retakes are booked and paid directly with the awarding body.
Are there prerequisites?
No formal prerequisites. Recommended: 3+ years of industry experience including 1+ year designing and managing solutions on Google Cloud. Bring a laptop with a modern browser and local admin rights; a temporary lab environment will be used in class.
What certificate will I receive?
Two credentials. MindClick issues a certificate of completion for 40 contact hours to every attendee. Google Cloud issues the Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Architect certification when you pass the exam and meet its requirements. Two years from the date of certification.
Is MindClick an accredited training partner for this certification?
MindClick provides training and exam preparation and is not an accredited/authorised partner of Google Cloud; the exam is administered by Google Cloud via Kryterion Webassessor.
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