How to Obtain an Associated Android Developer Certification | ZDNet

Are you considering working as a developer specializing in Android OS? Consider pursuing Google’s Associate Android Developer (AAD) certification. This beginner-level credentials can boost your resume by proving your Android-based development skills.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers can predict 13% employment growth from 2020-30. AAD certification, cheap and rigorous, can help you get your first job in this fast-growing field.

Read on for our guide to AAD certification, which covers costs, what to expect, and where to find study aids.

Decide if it’s right for you to obtain an associated Android Developer Certification.

The AAD certification is mostly aimed at novice developers beginning to master Java and other common programming languages. This certification can help you get your foot in the door for beginner-level employment as a mobile or web developer, though it may be less useful for higher positions.

According to Google, 82% of certification graduates see some form of career benefits, such as increases in their mobile app developer salary.

You can pursue additional Google Career Certifications and Information Technology Certifications after becoming AAD Certified. Choose your certifications based on the content areas that interest you.

2. Check your eligibility

First, make sure you meet Google’s eligibility criteria:

• Can read and speak English
• Uses the latest version of Android Studio
• At least 13 years
• Can present ID from a country not subject to US embargo

You will also need a working webcam and microphone for the interview part of the interview.

Decide if you want to take this exam in Java or Kotlin

The exam gives you a choice between using Java or Kotlin. Java and Kotlin are among the easiest programming languages ​​to learn, and it’s important for Android development specialists to master at least one.

Java is an object-oriented programming language invented in 1995. 3 billion devices run Java software. Java:

• Works with all major OS
• Is stable / portable
• Is popular in back-end development

Unfortunately, it is slow and requires extra memory.

Kotlin is an open source programming language invented in 2011. Because it incorporates functional and object-oriented programming, Kotlin has:

• Runs faster than Java
• Produces clean code with few errors
• Has become popular with mobile developers

But online Kotlin learning resources are limited.

If you’ve already mastered Java, consider learning Kotlin to expand your repertoire, especially if mobile development interests you.

4. Study

It is important to be well prepared (Google suggests two to three months of 10 hours of study per week) before taking the exam because each attempt costs $ 149.

The core topics of the exam cover basic knowledge for a mobile app developer, including:

• App functionality
• Android user interface
• Data management
• Debugging
• Testing

Google provides a free study guide for exams, organized into five main sections. Each section contains links to useful free courses from Codelabs and Android.

Consider taking a Java bootcamp prior to the exam, even if you already have experience with Java. You can also access free resources such as Codelab’s free Kotlin Bootcamp for Applications bootcamp course and Android’s free Android Basics in Kotlin course.

5. Register for the exam

To register for the exam, go to the Associate Android Developer website and click on the registration link to log in to either the Java or Kotlin exam. Read and sign the terms and conditions, then confirm your ID. Finally, you have to pay the $ 149 exam fee.

6. Take the exam when you are ready

Now you can take exam which covers Android Studio, Android SDK and Java or Kotlin. The first section of the exam asks you to add functionality to and troubleshoot a project.

The second section is an exit interview that will:

• Confirm that you have completed the project
• Measure your skills within the five core areas

You do not have to start the exam immediately after registration. But once you start, you have eight hours to submit the exam manually before it is automatically handed in. Do not rush.

7. Wait for results

The test is first assessed using an automated system, then manually. It can take 45 days to see your results, so stick with it.

8. Celebrate or try, try again

Do not be put off if your first attempt fails. Google’s Repeat Policy is as follows:

• After your first pass, you must wait fourteen days before taking the exam again
• After your second, wait two months before resuming
• After your third, wait a full year before resuming

You must pay $ 149 for each withdrawal.