Once upon a time…
…two girls worked in a school district that used the Google for Education suite. The girls wanted to improve their foundational efficiency, so they learned as much as they could, and then took the Google Level 1 Certification Exam. As they explored Google more deeply, they decided to take the Google Level 2 Certification Exam. By preparing for the exams and utilizing the skills they learned along the way, they improved their productivity and proficiency and used Google to create, innovate, and transform their schools.
By now, you’re likely wondering who those girls were. Well, they’re us! Katie Mason and Paige Somoza, Certified Google Trainers and Professional Development Specialists for NCCE! As Google Trainers, we prepare educators for their Google Level 1 and 2 exams. In our training sessions, we practice essential skills that help participants become Certified educators. We also share tips to ensure each test-taker’s success. So why not share our knowledge with you?
Take your exams as soon as you can. The fee for the Level 1 Exam is $10 and $25 for the Level 2 Exam and sometimes you can find them for FREE! Both exams contain multiple-choice and Performance Labs.
The Level 1 Exam is all about foundational efficiency. Prepare for this exam, and you will master shortcuts and integrations and gain a solid foundational knowledge of the Google Suite of tools for the classroom. You will be asked questions about Google Classroom, Calendar, Docs, Slides, Drive, Forms, Sheets, and Meets.
The Google Level 2 Exam helps users with productivity and proficiency. It also emphasizes best practices for analyzing data, improving communication, and collaborating with colleagues and students. Getting ready for this exam gives you the tools you need to create thoughtful content using best practices in the Google Suite of tools. You will be asked questions and perform tasks that relate to Chrome, Drive, Classroom, Gmail, Chat, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure you are signed out of your own Google account(s)
- Read instructions carefully
- Use your study guides and resources; this is an “open book” exam
- Use Incognito mode for the entire exam
- Each lab is opened through a new Google Sign In
- Don’t skip “Check my progress.” This allows you to fix errors
- Match titles EXACTLY (capitalization matters)
- Don’t assign too early if told not to
- If you get stuck on one section/question, just keep going
- If you don’t pass, don’t stress. You can always take the test again.
Resources
Below, we have linked resources to help you prepare for the exam.
| Google Level 1 Exam Guide | Level 1 Task Cards | Learning Center |
| Google Level 2 Exam Guide | Level 2 Task Cards | Learning Center |
Ready to take the next step in your professional learning journey?
Whether you’re pursuing Google Certification, exploring AI in education, or looking for practical strategies to transform teaching and learning, NCCE is here to support you every step of the way. Discover workshops, certifications, conferences, and a vibrant community of educators committed to innovation at NCCE.org. Join us and keep growing, creating, and leading with confidence!
Paige Somoza | Education Specialist
Katie Mason | Boise School District | Multilingual Specialist