Adobe certification testing
Saturday, April 18
Take your skills to the next level as an Adobe Certified Professional.
Adobe Certified Professional is the industry-recognized certification that demonstrates proficiency in a Creative Cloud app as well as foundational knowledge for a digital media career.
As a Certiport Authorized Testing Center, advisers and students attending the convention will have the opportunity to take an in-person exam to earn an Adobe certification. These exams are for intermediate- to advanced-level users. 150 hours of experience is recommended.
Online pre-registration is required to ensure we have enough exam licenses available. Test candidates are required to provide their own laptop for the exam, see below for more.
This spring’s exams will take place starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18.
Available exams
Bring your own device
JEA will administer the exams using Compass Cloud, a web-connected platform that allows users to take the exams in a browser-based environment. Tests must still be administered in-person at the convention, as an official Certiport Authorized Testing Center, but this allows for test candidates to use their own device for the exam, so they can test using the operating system and application version with which they are most comfortable.
While we may be able to offer laptop rentals at future conventions, for Minneapolis, ALL test candidates must provide their own device.
Exam requirements
All test candidates will need the following:
- A free Certiport Test Candidate account.
- A current Adobe Creative Cloud account with log-in credentials.
- The specific title and version number of the test you wish to take. (The full list of tests is available with the Test Candidate information on Certiport.)
- A laptop meeting the specifications listed below (you do not need to have Adobe CC installed on the device) or a Chromebook with access to Google Play to install apps.
- An email account you can access at the convention site that can receive emails from JEA.org.
- Approximately 2.5 hours for setup and test administration. The exam itself is 50 minutes.
All test candidates should have the folllowing:
- Experience with the program on which you plan to test; Adobe recommends 150 hours.
- Completion of the tutorial on the Certiport site with the Test Candidate user information.
- Completion of a practice test is recommended, but not required.
NOTE: Compass Cloud is available to test candidates with ADA accommodations in the form of extended time only. See FAQs on the Certiport site.
Technical requirements
Test candidates must bring a device that meets the following requirements:
- Laptop with Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac OS X Ventura 13.x or higher; or a Chromebook with a current operating system.
- You must have local admin rights to your device in order to install Compass Cloud. If your device is managed by your school, you may not be able to complete the installation at the convention. Only Certiport Organization Administrators can obtain the installer file; you cannot install it yourself as a test candidate.
- Chromebook users will need to install the app from Google Play.
- The language of the operating system on the testing device must match the exam language of the scheduled session.
- Device must have a full keyboard and a 2-button mouse. JEA can provide a mouse upon request.
- Recommended minimum screen resolution of 1280 x 800.
- The preferred internet browser is Chrome. Edge and Safari are also acceptable.
Full information on technical requirements can be found here.
Exam cost
NHSJC offers special exam pricing, discounted compared to the standard cost. Please note that prices will rise in the fall, so now is the time to take advantage of current rates.
Exam (1 application) – $70
Practice test (1 application) – $40
The online practice test is optional, but encouraged for studying. Please note that registering for the practice test alone does NOT include the actual on-site exam.
Why get certified?
By validating your expertise with industry-leading Adobe Creative Cloud applications, you’ll stand out to employers, universities and collaborators across fields like marketing, digital media, journalism, communications, video production and design. Adobe certification also supports high school journalism classes to become funded CTE pathways. Learn more about why you should become an Adobe Certified Professional.
Preparing for your exam
Please review device requirements listed above.
Adobe recommends that you have 150 hours of experience with the Creative Cloud application before taking its certification exam. These hours can come from hands-on experience, courses and other tutorials.
One of the best ways to study is by purchasing a practice test. If you have done so, keep an eye out for an email from the convention team with your practice test code and further instructions. Please allow up to 2-3 weeks for processing.
Adobe also provides an exam guide for each application.
What to expect
Exams will take place in Room M100 A (Mezzanine Level of the Minneapolis Convention Center) on Saturday, April 18.
Each exam includes 30-45 questions that must be completed in 50 minutes. Questions include selected-response items and activities that challenge you to solve problems using the Adobe Creative Cloud application.
To allow time for device set-up and troubleshooting, please arrive between 8-8:30 a.m. and budget at least 2.5 hours total for set-up and the exam itself.