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What to Expect

Exam Experience

Google Educator Exam Experience

What to expect during the level 1 or level 2 Google educator exam

Before you take your level 1 or level 2 Google Educator exam, make sure you are familiar with the testing setup and environment so that you can focus on the content, not which button to click. Google has partnered with Kryterion, an international testing company, to administer the certification exams. Here’s what you can expect in the exam interface.

Google Certification Test Exam Interface

Google Certification Exam Interface – click to enlarge.

You must take your exam on a computer with a webcam. This might seem a bit strange, but it helps maintain the integrity of the exam. Before beginning the exam, you will be asked to use your webcam to take a “test selfie.” Your webcam will remain on for the duration of the test (You might see your webcam light illuminated). During the exam, pictures will be taken at random intervals and facial recognition software will be used to make sure that the same person who took the “test selfie” is still sitting and taking the exam. A bit weird, perhaps. Welcome to the world of web-based testing!

On the left side of the screen you will see the question number and special instructions. Pay attention here! Some questions require that you “select 2” or “all that apply.” You can also keep track of where you are in the exam to determine if you need to speed up or slow down.

You will see a button at the bottom of the exam interface that allows you to mark a question for review or skip a question. I don’t recommend skipping questions. Answer each one to the best of your ability. If you aren’t sure and would like to do some research, click “mark for review” and use any extra time at the end of the exam to look up these questions.

You will see a button at the bottom of the exam interface that allows you to mark a question for review or skip a question. I don’t recommend skipping questions. Answer each one to the best of your ability. If you aren’t sure and would like to do some research, click “mark for review” and use any extra time at the end of the exam to look up these questions.

A countdown timer will appear just above the webcam image. Don’t stress about the time, but keep an eye on it. You don’t want to run out of time before you answer all of the questions. You can always go back and review questions if you have extra time (use the “mark” button).

  1. Go incognito. When taking your exam, use an incognito window in Chrome to sign into your special Google test account. This will eliminate any possible conflicts with your personal accounts.
  2. Pin the exam tab. You must keep the exam tab open throughout the exam. This tab contains the exam questions and timer. Pin this tab in Chrome to prevent it from closing during your exam.
  3. Don’t second guess. Yes, you can look up every question to make sure you are right, but you don’t have time! Complete as many questions as you can without researching. If you aren’t sure on a question, use the “mark” button to collect the questions that you need to review. After you have completed the entire exam, review your flagged questions until you have used your available time.

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by John Sowash
January 15, 2018

43 comments. Leave new

Steph
April 20, 2018 2:03 am

So, I didn’t run out of time, exactly…I was looking over some answers and completely forgot about pushing a submit button. Does that mean that they won’t score my test? Ugh….three hours of my life that I won’t get back. : (

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 3:00 am

No, they will score everything that was completed. You should be okay.

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Carrie Cunningham
June 7, 2018 12:28 pm

I have a diagnosed learning disability and have always had extended time when taking tests. Is it possible to receive that accommodation while taking this test?

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:59 am

I think they will accommodate these requests. Use the support form to submit a request.

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Anne Bishop
July 18, 2018 3:33 pm

If you check the mark for review tab, even if you answered it, does the test include your answer for that question? Or does checking that box just put it to the side as if you skipped it and it won’t be scored?

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 3:00 am

If you answer the question, even if it is marked for review, it will be scored.

If you mark it for review without answering it, it will be marked incorrect.

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Saravanakumar
July 19, 2018 4:47 am

This page is very informative for beginers like me. i have a query.. Do i need to have a G suite to write the exam.

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:57 am

No, you will be given a G Suite account when you take the exam.

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Dawn
July 24, 2018 6:02 pm

Hi There! Thank you for this guide. It is very helpful. I am wondering, while taking the exam, am I permitted to refer to the handwritten notes I took during my training? I realize there is not a lot of time for that, but I may need to do so for a couple of things. Thanks!

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:56 am

Yes, that is fine!

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Julie garrahan
September 21, 2018 3:10 am

I am trying to apply to google innovator and I cannot find my level two certification. All I can find is the fact that I was successful. I took the exam on February 26, 2017

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:57 am

You can get a copy of your certificate by logging into the testing center with the email you used to take the test.

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GD
January 1, 2019 10:53 pm

Hello,
I notice that you say the Google Ed Level 1 exam is open book. What does “open book” mean? Can I open tabs and read my notes on my desk during the exam? I don’t see this on FAQ on the Google Ed training pages.

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:56 am

yes, that’s what open book means.

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SARA THOMAS
January 6, 2019 3:27 pm

I cant minimize or make webcams smaller. I csnt see of the items on left as my webcams covers them

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Mchelle Ferguson
June 11, 2019 3:38 pm

Hello. Thank you so much for these tips and preparation information. I am reading everything you have to offer. However, on the above tips that explain how the testing interface works, your explanation for the “Mark for Review” tool and the “Help” tool are the same. The “Mark for Review” explanation is repeated under the “Help” explanation. When you get a chance, could you please update the “Help” information?
Also, I am not computer savvy at all. How do I create an incognito window for my test, and how do I pin the exam? Is there somewhere I can go to show me how to do those two things in advance of taking test? Please advise, and thank you in advance for your response.

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:50 am

Hi Michelle! Just do a quick search on Youtube for using incognito mode and how to pin tabs.

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Tracy Posey
June 14, 2019 4:07 pm

Nervous. I need to renew level 1 and take level 2.

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:49 am

You can do it!

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Lori
June 14, 2019 10:34 pm

Help? I am getting ready to take the Google Level 1 exam next week. I’m taking it on a chromebook. How do I do webcam? I can pull up camara. I can see the light on so I know it is on. But how does that get to be on my testing screen?

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:49 am

You don’t need to do anything. Just start the test and follow the on-screen prompts.

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Irasuti
November 17, 2019 7:32 am

Hi John,
I am Irasuti from Bali, Indonesia.
I am going to take the Google Certified Educator Level 1 exam in a few days. I’ve watched your video on youtube about the similar exam you took this year. My question is “am I allowed to open my Google account and use all of the Google tools during the exam?”. I plan to follow your tips, using a large monitor that connected to my laptop so I can split the screen.

I look forward to hearing back from you, and thank you so much for the videos you share on youtube. They are very helpful indeed.

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John Sowash
January 23, 2020 2:35 am

Yes, you can use multiple monitors and devices during the test.

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Terri
May 4, 2020 11:46 pm

I’m going to take the Level 1 exam on a Chromebook. The directions say that I must be signed out of all accounts and use incognito mode. On a Chromebook, you must be signed in with an account or as a guest. If I log in with guest, there is no incognito option. Can I take the test as guest? Is that the same as incognito?

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John Sowash
May 18, 2020 2:51 pm

I would not take the test as a guest. Log in to your Chromebook with your normal account so that you can get your exam credentials.

Use an incognito window to take the exam.

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Lisa
May 17, 2020 7:53 pm

What does it mean when they say your testing results are under policy review? (This was a level 2 test)

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John Sowash
May 18, 2020 2:45 pm

Google changed testing providers in early May. Exam results are no longer instant.

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sharon
May 29, 2020 2:57 pm

So when will you get your results?

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John Sowash
June 2, 2020 7:57 pm

If you tested with ProctorU it will take 7 days to receive your results.

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Ramya
May 24, 2020 7:44 pm

I did my level 1 exam yesterday and after clicking the submit exam button.. i filled a post exam survey form in last page and after about 5 mins that page was redirected to another page where i didn’t get any notification that i had completed my exam.. whether my answers wil be recorded?

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John Sowash
June 2, 2020 8:01 pm

You should be fine…just check your email for your results.

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Chris
May 30, 2020 6:52 pm

Hi Josh!

I just finished my Level 1 exam. When I was waiting for the results, my internet stopped working. I tried to refresh the page but nothing happened, the same message: we have archived your data, etc…. After this, the google account exam requested my password but it said that was incorrect. What can I do with this situation? How much should I wait for my results? Thank you for your help!

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John Sowash
June 2, 2020 7:56 pm

You should be fine. Look for an email with your exam results…it could take up to a week to get the email.

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Ann
May 31, 2020 3:58 am

I just received an email indicating that I didn’t pass my level 1 exam. The email did not provide a score or any information that would help me to prepare to retake the exam. I want to make sure that I am completing the practical portion correctly. When I complete each task, do I click “next” to go on to the next part or do I have to submit each task some other way?

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John Sowash
June 2, 2020 7:55 pm

I’m sorry you didn’t pass. Don’t give up!

You just need to click “next” to go to the next question. You only submit at the end of the exam.

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Dan
May 31, 2020 1:36 pm

Do you receive a score if you fail? I have seen people receive a score of 70% or higher when failing but, nothing below that when failing.

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John Sowash
June 2, 2020 7:55 pm

I’m not sure. I thought everyone who didn’t pass received a score.

80% is the passing percentage.

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Stacy LaBruyere
October 11, 2020 5:00 pm

The G Suite account Google set up for me to take the level 2 exam had all of my questions in English but Drive and all websites were set to Spanish. I sent screenshots of the craziness and submitted the form during my exam on Friday and still haven’t heard back. I managed to finish the exam by looking up the websites/apps from another computer so I could translate everything to work through the scenarios. Sometimes, I was able to find a way to reset settings back to English but sometimes it wouldn’t allow it or I couldn’t find a way due to everything being in Spanish. Why did that even happen? I did not request a Spanish exam.

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John Sowash
December 1, 2020 5:52 pm

Yep, super frustrating. There have been lots of issues like this lately, especially with ProctorU. I recommend using the old system.

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Jayasree
October 18, 2020 7:04 am

Hai, I took my level 1 test for the 3rd time and I did not receive a mail stating my exam was saved as it does normally. However, it did show that the exam was saved and I could log off after I took the exam, I emailed the support system, and is there anything else I can do?

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John Sowash
December 1, 2020 5:51 pm

Sadly no. You just need to wait.

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Charleston
November 22, 2020 2:32 pm

My organization has disabled incognito mode. Can I still take the exam?

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John Sowash
December 1, 2020 5:49 pm

Yes, just make sure you stay inside of the exam account, not a personal one.

Reply

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