About This Domain
Domain 1 — Designing Cloud-Native Applications — accounts for ~25% of the PCD certification exam. This domain evaluates your understanding of microservices and event-driven architecture, 12-factor app principles, loose coupling with pub/sub and cloud tasks, and related concepts. Scalable, available, reliable application design. To pass this section you need practical knowledge of how these services and patterns work together in real-world architectures.
What You'll Be Tested On
- Microservices and event-driven architecture
- 12-factor app principles
- Loose coupling with Pub/Sub and Cloud Tasks
- Autoscaling patterns
Key Google Cloud Services in This Domain
Study Strategy for Domain 1
This domain represents ~25% of the total exam, making it a significant scoring area. Balance theoretical study with hands-on practice.
Exam Tips for Domain 1
Know the 12-factor app principles and how they map to GCP services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions on the PCD exam come from Domain 1?
Domain 1 (Designing Cloud-Native Applications) makes up ~25% of the PCD exam, approximately 16 questions.
What services should I focus on for Domain 1?
Key services include Cloud-Native Apps.
How should I prepare for Designing Cloud-Native Applications questions?
Start by reviewing the key topics listed above, then practice with domain-specific questions. Focus on understanding real-world scenarios.
What's the best order to study the PCD domains?
Many candidates start with the highest-weighted domains first: Designing Cloud-Native Applications (~25%), Building and Testing (~21%), Deploying Applications (~20%), Integrating Services (~19%), Managing Performance (~15%).
Practice Domain 1 Questions
Test your knowledge of Designing Cloud-Native Applications with practice questions from our PCD question bank.
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