Google Ads Shopping exam-day guide
Google Ads Shopping · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID name that matches your registration. For online-proctored delivery, the proctor compares the ID to your face and your registration record; a mismatch can block entry. If your ID name differs from your registered name, resolve it with the provider before test day. Confirm with the provider which ID types are accepted for your delivery method.
Stable internet connection and a backup plan
For remote-proctored exams, a wired or high-bandwidth connection matters more than raw speed. Know how to tether to a phone hotspot if your home connection drops, and confirm with the provider whether a mid-exam disconnect allows reconnection within a time window.
Working webcam and microphone
Proctors typically require a live camera view of your face, hands, and desk, plus audio. Test both in the days before the exam and again on the morning. A failed device check at check-in can cost you your slot.
Clean, private room and cleared desk
Remove papers, phones, smartwatches, second monitors, and anything with text from arm's reach. Proctors commonly scan the room via camera before starting. Confirm with the provider what items (water, tissues, medication) are permitted.
Exam software installed and updated
Install the required browser or secure testing application ahead of time and run any system check it offers. Updates often require a restart, so do this at least 24 hours out, not minutes before the start.
Registration confirmation and appointment details
Have your confirmation email, appointment time, time zone, and any session or access code ready. Know whether the exam is delivered at a test center or remotely, and the check-in window around your start time. Confirm with the provider how early to arrive or log in.
Account and login credentials verified
If the exam is tied to a Google or partner account, confirm you can log in and that the account is in good standing. Password resets on exam morning add avoidable stress; test the login a day ahead.
Scratch materials per provider rules
Some deliveries allow an on-screen notepad or a provided whiteboard and marker; many prohibit paper. Do not assume. Confirm with the provider what note-taking tools are allowed, and practice using only those during your final review.
Review plan for the Shopping domain areas
Build a one-page summary covering campaign types and structure, product feeds and Merchant Center diagnostics, bidding and budget controls, and reporting. Re-read it in the final 24 hours rather than learning new topics.
Time-management strategy
Know the question count and time limit for your exam version, then set a per-question pace. Decide in advance how to handle long scenario questions: flag and return rather than stall. Confirm the format with the provider if it is not stated in your confirmation.
Accessibility or accommodation arrangements
If you need extra time, a screen reader, or a separate room, request accommodations well before test day and keep the approval confirmation. Confirm with the provider the deadline and how approved accommodations appear in your appointment.
Contingency contacts
Save the provider's support phone number or chat link and your appointment ID. If check-in fails or the proctor cannot connect, you want a fast path to support rather than searching during the exam window.
Plan the day
Confirm your appointment details: date, start time, time zone, delivery method, and any access code. Re-read the provider's candidate rules so nothing on test day is a surprise. Run the full system check for your device and network, and fix anything that fails.
Do a final content pass focused on weak areas, not new material. Revisit Shopping campaign structure, feed and Merchant Center troubleshooting, bidding and budget logic, and reporting metrics. Write a one-page cheat sheet you will review but not bring into the exam.
Take one timed practice set under exam-like conditions to calibrate your pace. Note which question types slow you down, such as multi-step scenario items, and decide your flag-and-return rule.
Re-test your webcam, microphone, and exam software, then restart the machine. Clear your desk and set up the room as it will be on exam day. Charge devices and prepare a phone hotspot as backup.
Lay out your ID and any permitted items. Confirm the support contact and appointment ID are saved. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming new topics late, which tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Eat, hydrate, and avoid heavy caffeine if you are prone to jitters. Log in or arrive at the check-in window earlier than the minimum, since ID checks and room scans take time. Close background apps and silence notifications on all devices.
Read each question fully before answering, especially scenario items with multiple constraints. Answer easy questions first, flag uncertain ones, and return with remaining time. Watch the clock at the halfway point and adjust pace.
If a technical issue occurs, stay calm and contact support immediately rather than troubleshooting alone. If a question seems ambiguous, choose the best-supported answer and move on; do not leave blanks unless the format penalizes guessing, which you should confirm with the provider.
Note which topics felt weak while memory is fresh. If your result is delivered later, record your score and any section feedback so a retake, if needed, targets the right areas.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If the names differ, resolve it with the provider before test day; do not assume a secondary document will be accepted.
Follow the provider's rules on permitted materials. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and secondary screens are typically prohibited during remote-proctored exams, and unauthorized items can lead to score cancellation. Confirm the exact list with the provider.
Expect identity verification and a room scan at check-in for remote delivery. Keep the camera on and your face visible; leaving the frame or covering the camera may be flagged by the proctor.
Do not communicate with others or use outside help during the exam. Attempting to capture, share, or reproduce exam content violates the candidate agreement and can void your result. Confirm the specific terms in the agreement you accepted.
Know the break policy before you start. Some deliveries allow scheduled breaks, others do not, and leaving the camera during an unscheduled break may end the session. Confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Understand how scoring works for your exam version: whether it is pass/fail with a scaled cut score, whether some questions are unscored, and when results are released. Confirm these details with the provider; they vary by delivery.
If you need to reschedule or cancel, do it within the provider's stated window to avoid losing your fee. Policies differ by region and delivery method, so confirm the deadline in your confirmation email.
Report technical problems to support immediately and keep any case or ticket number. Do not attempt unauthorized fixes that alter the testing environment, as this may breach the candidate agreement.