Google Cloud Moves All Exams to Pearson VUE from March 2026 — What Changes for ACE Candidates

Why the switch matters

Kryterion had been Google Cloud's exam delivery partner since the certification programme launched. The move to Pearson VUE — the same provider used by AWS, Microsoft, and most major certification bodies — gives Google Cloud candidates access to a far larger network of physical test centres globally and a more familiar scheduling interface for those who have taken other cloud vendor exams.

What actually changed

• Scheduling is now via Pearson VUE's portal — not Kryterion's Webassessor
• Test centre availability has expanded significantly; Pearson operates one of the largest centre networks worldwide
• Online proctoring (OnVUE) is now available for Google Cloud exams through Pearson
• Exam content and passing scores are unchanged — this is a delivery change only
• Vouchers and purchase flows have moved to the Google Cloud certification portal linking to Pearson

Practical steps for ACE candidates

For new candidates, create a Pearson VUE account and search for "Google Cloud" exams. The ACE exam (Associate Cloud Engineer) appears under Google's certification catalogue in the Pearson system. Online proctoring via OnVUE requires a quiet room, a single monitor, no headphones, and a working webcam and microphone.

The ACE exam is 2 hours long (120 minutes) with 50 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. That timing and format is unchanged from Kryterion delivery.

Nothing changed about the exam itself

The 2025 ACE exam guide update (covering enhanced GKE, IAM depth, and AI/ML-adjacent content) remains in effect. The Pearson switch is purely logistical — the questions, domains, and passing threshold are identical. Focus your preparation on the exam content, not the provider change.