thinQmaster Virtual testing partner Adaptive practice exams that find your weak spots and drill them. Every answer explained. From $69
Enroll

thinQmaster

Find your exam

Five questions free, before you decide.

Step 1 · choose a vendor

In one of our camps? Your practice exams come with the tuition — they are on your study page already.

GitLab · DevOps & Automation · Associate

GitLab Certified Associate exam guide

Exam GitLab Certified Git Associate (GitLab University)

The GitLab Certified Associate, now offered as the GitLab Certified Git Associate through GitLab University, validates core Git and GitLab skills across the DevOps lifecycle. Candidates pass a written assessment and then a hands-on lab graded by GitLab engineers, so the badge shows practical ability, not just recall.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit180 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam feeSee official page
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryOnline via GitLab University

Format: 1-hour written multiple-choice assessment followed by a 2-hour hands-on lab assessment. Fee note: Price not confirmed; check GitLab University (some third parties have reported this exam being changed or retired).

Who it's for

Developers, DevOps engineers and project leads who use GitLab daily and want to prove fluency with Git workflows and GitLab features.

What the exam covers

The vendor does not publish a domain breakdown for this exam. Check the official exam page for the current objectives.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: Regular use of Git and GitLab; the GitLab with Git Essentials course is the official preparation.

Keeping it active

GitLab does not clearly publish an expiry; check the GitLab University certifications page.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Git branching, merging and rebasing
  • Working with remotes and resolving conflicts
  • Managing GitLab projects, groups and permissions
  • Issues, merge requests and code review
  • Basic .gitlab-ci.yml pipelines

Job roles

Software DeveloperDevOps EngineerRelease EngineerBuild and Release ManagerTechnical Project Manager

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Complete GitLab with Git Essentials on GitLab University; practice clone, branch, commit, rebase and stash locally.
  2. Week 2: Create a GitLab group and project; use issues, labels, milestones and merge requests with approvals.
  3. Week 3: Write a simple .gitlab-ci.yml with stages, jobs and artifacts; run it on shared runners.
  4. Week 4: Rehearse a full lab: build a project from scratch under a 2-hour timer.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • The lab is graded by people - follow task instructions literally (names, branches, file paths).
  • Know GitLab terminology: merge request (not pull request), groups/subgroups, protected branches.
  • Be fluent resolving merge conflicts from the CLI, not only the web IDE.
  • Check that pipelines actually pass before submitting the lab.

Key terms for this exam

All 49 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

What is the GitLab Certified Associate now called?

GitLab University lists it as the GitLab Certified Git Associate, alongside other associate exams such as CI/CD Associate.

Is there a hands-on part?

Yes. After a 1-hour written assessment you complete a 2-hour lab graded by GitLab Professional Services engineers.

How much does it cost?

GitLab sets the price on GitLab University; confirm current pricing there.

GitLab vs GitHub certification?

Choose the platform your employer uses. GitHub certifications run through Pearson VUE; GitLab's through GitLab University with a graded lab.

Does it expire?

GitLab does not clearly publish an expiry period; check GitLab University for the current policy.

Official page: university.gitlab.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.