🌐
Google
CDL

Google Cloud Digital Leader

Demonstrate knowledge of cloud concepts and Google Cloud products, services, and tools for cloud transformation.

Digital TransformationGoogle Cloud ProductsAI & ML ProductsData & AnalyticsInfrastructure

Exam Details

Study Time
2 to 4 weeks
Exam Cost
$200
Passing Score
70%
Difficulty
Beginner
Job roles this unlocks:
Cloud AdvocateBusiness AnalystIT Consultant

Your Progress

0%

0 of 5 steps completed

Step-by-Step RoadmapEstimated total: 2 to 3 weeks

🧱 Foundation2 to 3 days

Cloud digital transformation

Why companies move to the cloud. Cloud benefits, business outcomes.

What to Learn

  • Why cloud
  • CapEx vs OpEx
  • Total Cost of Ownership
  • Digital transformation drivers
  • Cloud economics

Resources

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost: Cloud Digital Leader Learning Path (free)

This is a business-focused cert. The exam is more about WHY use cloud than HOW. Think like a manager, not an engineer.

📚 Study3 to 4 days

Google Cloud infrastructure and application modernisation

Compute Engine, App Engine, GKE, Cloud Run, Cloud Functions.

What to Learn

  • Compute Engine (VMs)
  • App Engine (PaaS)
  • Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
  • Cloud Run (serverless containers)
  • Cloud Functions
  • Anthos (multi-cloud)

Resources

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost: Infrastructure module

Know when to recommend each compute option. Lift-and-shift = Compute Engine. Refactor = Cloud Run or GKE. Greenfield serverless = Cloud Functions.

📚 Study3 to 4 days

Data, analytics, ML services

BigQuery, Cloud Storage, Looker, Dataflow, Vertex AI.

What to Learn

  • BigQuery for analytics
  • Cloud Storage (Standard, Nearline, Coldline, Archive)
  • Looker for BI
  • Dataflow for ETL
  • Vertex AI for ML
  • Generative AI on Google Cloud

Resources

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost: Data module

BigQuery is Google's superpower. The exam loves BigQuery scenario questions. Storage tiers come up too — match retrieval time to use case.

📚 Study2 to 3 days

Security, identity, support

Cloud IAM, encryption, Identity-Aware Proxy, support plans.

What to Learn

  • Cloud IAM (users, roles, policies)
  • Encryption at rest and in transit
  • Identity-Aware Proxy
  • Cloud Armor
  • Google Cloud support tiers

Resources

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost: Security module

Cert focuses on business value of security: compliance, risk reduction, customer trust. Light on technical depth.

🏆 Exam Day3 to 5 days

Practice tests and exam booking

Take Google's official practice exam, fix gaps, book the test.

What to Learn

  • Google official sample questions
  • Whizlabs CDL practice
  • Review every wrong answer

Resources

  • Google Cloud Skills Boost free practice exam
  • Whizlabs Cloud Digital Leader

This is the easiest cloud cert in the industry. 80% of candidates pass on first try with 2 weeks of part-time study. Do not over-study.