C1000-142 · ● Active · Entry · IBM
Foundational cloud credential designed for non-technical and business-focused professionals seeking to understand IBM Cloud value, architecture, and deployment strategies without hands-on technical requirements.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $200 USD |
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Questions | 65 (scored) |
| Passing | 60% |
| Format | Multiple choice / Multiple response |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (proctored, online) |
| Languages | English |
| Valid | 3 years |
| Renewal | Retake exam or earn higher-level IBM Cloud certification |
| Prerequisites | None; foundational cloud familiarity recommended |
| Released | 2023 (v2 release) |
| Retiring | N/A |
Vendor source — IBM Training Certification ↗ Exam details — Pearson VUE IBM Cloud Advocate ↗
About
The IBM Certified Advocate - Cloud v2 is a functional, non-technical credential validating foundational cloud knowledge for business and emerging IT professionals. Released in 2023, this certification bridges the gap between general awareness and technical depth, emphasizing cloud economics, business value, and IBM Cloud positioning rather than hands-on implementation. No prerequisites exist; it serves as an entry point for career-changers, sales engineers, pre-sales consultants, and business stakeholders seeking IBM Cloud literacy.
Domain context — Cloud
Hyperscale and vendor-specific cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP, and vendor-proprietary ecosystems (IBM, Oracle, Alibaba). Cloud certification stacks typically begin with foundational concepts (hyperscaler foundations or vendor advocates) and progress through infrastructure, architecture, and security specializations.
Read full deep dive — IBM Cloud Ecosystem → (file not yet created)
Topics covered
Based on official IBM exam scope, the C1000-142 assesses knowledge across these domains:
- Cloud Concepts & Models (~25%) — Public / private / hybrid deployment; IaaS / PaaS / SaaS service models; cloud economics and ROI
- IBM Cloud Solutions (~30%) — IBM Cloud core services (compute, storage, database, networking); service portfolio overview; integration and middleware
- IBM Cloud Architecture (~20%) — Reference architecture patterns; hybrid and multi-cloud design; scalability and resilience principles
- Use Cases & Value Proposition (~15%) — Industry-specific cloud adoption scenarios; business transformation with IBM Cloud
- Adoption & Implementation (~10%) — Migration strategies; governance; security and compliance frameworks; organizational readiness
Source: IBM Training Certification ↗
Common skills at Cloud · Entry
Shared foundational cloud competencies at Entry level — not specific to this cert.
- Cloud deployment model classification (public, private, hybrid, multi-cloud)
- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS service model distinctions and business drivers
- Cloud economics: cost models, CapEx vs. OpEx, TCO calculation
- Vendor cloud ecosystem navigation and service discovery
- Basic cloud security and compliance principles
- Cloud migration readiness assessment and planning
- Stakeholder communication about cloud adoption benefits
Recommended courses at Cloud · Entry
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBM SkillsBuild | IBM Cloud Advocate (self-paced) | Free | ↗ |
| Coursera | IBM Skills Network Cloud courses | Free–$39/month | ↗ |
| Udemy | IBM Certified Advocate - Cloud v2 (C1000-142) | $12–$15 | ↗ |
| Class Central | IBM Cloud Advocate course | Free | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: IBM SkillsBuild (free) is the vendor-recommended starting point. Coursera and Class Central offer structured tracks with certification upon completion. Udemy bridges to exam-focused practice.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDUSUM | IBM Cloud Advocate v2 practice questions | Free / $X | ↗ |
| ExamTopics | C1000-142 exam questions and discussions | Free (community) | ↗ |
| Whizlabs | IBM Cloud Advocate v2 practice tests | $X | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBM Cloud Advocate Study Guide | No dedicated vendor guide published | — | — | — | Vendor docs |
Book rule: As of May 2026, no dedicated study guide exists for C1000-142. Official IBM training materials and SkillsBuild platform serve as primary references. Learners typically supplement with the practice exam platforms listed above.
Typical job titles at Cloud · Entry
IBM Cloud Sales Engineer · Cloud Solutions Consultant · Cloud Pre-Sales Engineer · Cloud Business Analyst · Technical Account Manager (Cloud) · Cloud Advocate
(Job titles drawn from IBM careers portal and job-board postings that list IBM Cloud certifications as preferred or required.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $113,600–$150,800 (Cloud Engineer baseline) | Glassdoor ↗ · Indeed ↗ · Levels.fyi ↗ |
| ZAR | No verified entry-level cloud advocate data; general IT entry level approx. R180,000–R280,000 | PayScale ZA ↗ |
| GBP | £35,000–£50,000 (Cloud entry level, UK market) | IT Jobs Watch ↗ · Hays ↗ |
Salary rule: The Advocate credential is non-technical and often held by business/sales professionals; salary ranges reflect cloud entry roles rather than pure technical cloud engineer bands. IBM Cloud Engineer salaries (USD $113k–$150k) represent technical progression paths from the advocate foundation.
Skills validated
Cert-specific — what this exam actually tests, distinct from shared entry-level cloud competencies.
- IBM Cloud service taxonomy and positioning (compute, storage, database, networking, integration, AI/ML)
- Hybrid cloud and multi-cloud architecture concepts
- IBM Cloud security controls and compliance certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA)
- IBM Cloud migration assessment frameworks
- IBMCloud pricing models and cost optimization
- Industry-specific cloud adoption patterns (financial services, healthcare, manufacturing)
- Emerging technologies integration (AI, IoT, blockchain) in cloud context
Related certifications
- Stacks with: IBM Certified Technical Advocate - Cloud v5 ↗ (file not yet created) — hands-on technical foundation
- Prerequisite for: IBM Certified Solution Architect - Cloud ↗ (file not yet created) — architecture-focused design role
- Equivalent at this level: AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) ↗ (file not yet created) — similar foundational cloud literacy across hyperscalers
- Vendor overview: IBM Vendor Overview ↗ (file not yet created)
Sources
- IBM Training Certification — Cloud Advocate v2
- Pearson VUE IBM Cloud Advocate exam registration
- IBM SkillsBuild (vendor-recommended free training)
- Coursera IBM Skills Network
- Glassdoor IBM Cloud Engineer salaries
- Indeed IBM salaries
- Levels.fyi IBM compensation data
Last verified: 2026-05-01 Parent ecosystem: [IBM Cloud Ecosystem] (file not yet created) Parent domain: [Cloud Domain] (file not yet created) Vendor overview: [IBM Vendor Overview] (file not yet created)