Passing the Google Analytics IQ Exam

16th May 2009 · Paddy · 8 Comments »

27/01/2010 Update: Google have now raised the bar on the score needed to pass the Google Analytics IQ Exam from 75% to 80%.  Read their official blog post – Raising the Bar on Google Analytics

It has been on my to-do list since it was announced that Google are now offering an official qualification for Google Analytics users.  You may remember I blogged about it here – Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) back in March.  Well I finally sat down on Friday for a few hours and went through the Analytics learning centre, which I’d recommend anyone takes a look at whether you want to take the exam or not.  It is a very good set of videos and is ideal for finding your feet with Analytics.  There are some more advanced sections such as regular expressions and ecommerce tracking but most of it is great for new starters.

So how did I find the exam?

Well it was harder than the Google Adwords Pro exam which I took in January 2008, a lot more technical knowledge is required.  My job role doesn’t include the actual technical development of a website – I’m very lucky in that if I want something changed on a client website I can walk next door and ask one of our developers (nicely!) if they can do it.  So I wasn’t prepared too much for things such as regular expressions and advanced ecommerce tracking.  I understand the principles of both but I am not totally comfortable with them.

I got through though with a respectable score of 85% with a pass rate of 75%.  The results did tell me that I need to look more at the ecommerce tracking and regular expression stuff.  I did find it helpful that I was told where my weaknesses were, I don’t recall being told this on the Adwords exam results.

My Tips for Passing the Google Analytics IQ Exam

  • Watch all of the videos in the Conversion University centre, they are very clear and put together very well.  I’ve been using Analytics for a few years now and I learnt a few new things
  • Focus on the filters section and learn how to write a few basic regular expressions – there are more questions on this than I thought there would be
  • Pay extra notice to the cookies video presentation
  • Have an extra window open with one of your Analytics accounts running in case you need to double check interface questions – this isn’t cheating, its an open book exam

When you pass you get a PDF certificate which to be honest was very under-whelming!  Google certainly spared a lot of expense on its design!  You don’t get a link to a logo that you can use on your website like you do with Adwords, but I think Google may bring this in at some point if there is enough demand.

My next challenge – passing the Microsoft Adcentre Exam.  Posts to follow on this!

Paddy Moogan

Paddy is an SEO Consultant working for Distilled in the London office.

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8 Comments

  1. Passing the Microsoft adExcellence Exam

    July 1st, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    [...] may remember from my post on Passing the Google Analytics Exam that I mentioned my next target was to pass the Microsoft AdExcellence Exam. I got a bit of time [...]

  2. Patrick Do Trong

    July 4th, 2009 at 12:05 am

    Hi Patrick,

    I enjoyed reading your article about GAIQ. I’m a recent I.T grad from University of Montreal who’s trying to learn more about Analytics.

    It is with all the best intentions in the world that I want to pass the exam, but I’m scared nonetheless since I have 0% experience in the field. Since I’m more focussed on the business side of things (SAP System Architect certified), I have been second doubting myself about being able to pass the test.

    I’m starting from blank,and do enjoy what I see on Google’s website. I just hope that I won’t be disapointed and overwhelmed when I take the exam. The will is there…just wondering if 0 experience translate into automatic failure?

    Sincerely,

    Patrick

  3. Sam

    November 30th, 2009 at 6:13 am

    You have ‘Analytics Qualified Individual’ logo on your website. I was wondering if Google provides a logo, if so then it doesn’t take me to a page proving that you passed the exam.

    • Paddy Moogan

      December 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Sam,

      They didn’t officially supply that logo, I saw some other blogs using it and liked the look so I used it too. However Google are now providing “evidence” of someone passing the exam. You can read more about it here and get the link – Google Analytics Blog

      Paddy

  4. Ramy Wagih

    November 30th, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Hey I have A question About the google analytic exam how do i contact you thanks

    • Paddy Moogan

      December 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

      Hi Ramy,

      Please feel free to post your question in the comments here or you can ping me on Twitter

  5. Ankush Kohli

    September 29th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Hi Patrick,

    I also cleared Google Analytics Individual Certification exam this week only with 85% score. Here’s the certification: http://emarketinguide.com/2010/09/google-analytics-individual-certified-professional-gaiq/

  6. Pankaj

    November 10th, 2010 at 4:56 am

    My question is regarding the pattern of the exam.
    I wanted to know how the marks are distributed for the 70 questions and what is the pattern of the questions(MCQ’s or Descriptive).

    Thanks in advance.

  7. Google Analytics Maven

    January 18th, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    Hi Patrick,

    Thanks for sharing the tips for passing GAIQ. I’d like to share a set of tips I’ve gathered: http://www.marketingsutra.com/blog/gaiq-exam-preparation/

    Thanks and good luck to those who’re planning to take the exam any time soon.

    Alex Grechanowski
    Marketing Sutra

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