Salesforce constantly keeps updating their certification offering and keeps making revisions to its certification and training programs, including retiring some exams and introducing new ones. In this blog, we will discuss the latest updates to the Salesforce certification exams, including the changes to the exam structure, the new certification paths, and what you can expect from the exams.
Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce professional or just starting your career in the Salesforce ecosystem, this blog will provide valuable insights to help you prepare for your certification journey.
Overview of Salesforce Certification Exam Updates
Salesforce certification is important for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using Salesforce and its related technologies. Earning a Salesforce certification can provide individuals with a competitive edge in the job market, as well as enhance their career opportunities within the Salesforce ecosystem.
The purpose of this blog is to provide an update on the changes to the Salesforce certification program, including the retirement of some exams and the introduction of new ones. The blog will also cover the new certification paths and what individuals can expect from the exams, as well as provide tips and strategies for preparing for the exams. Whether you are a Salesforce professional looking to update your skills or a beginner looking to start a career in Salesforce, this blog will provide valuable information to help you navigate the certification process.
Changes in Salesforce Certification Exam: March 2024
Salesforce, the world’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform, recently made updates to its certification exams to ensure that they remain relevant and up-to-date with the latest industry standards. These changes affect all levels of certification, from the entry-level Administrator certification to the expert-level Architect certifications.
1. New Exams in Salesforce Marketing
The salesforce has updated its certification with two new exams. They are:
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist
2. Latest Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam
Salesforce has introduced new Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant exam to its list. The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant certification is well-suited for consultants with a background in customer-facing roles involving the implementation and consulting of enterprise data platforms. This includes tasks such as solution design, configuration, and architecture.
Course Outline:
- Solution Overview: 18%
- Data Cloud Setup and Administration: 12%
- Data Ingestion and Modeling: 20%
- Identity Resolution: 14%
- Segmentation and Insights: 18%
- Act on Data: 18%
4. Addition of new exam: Salesforce Certified Sales Representative
Salesforce has added a new exam under the role of Sales Professional; Salesforce Certified Sales Representative Exam.
Overview:
Those who wish to prove their expertise, knowledge, and experience in the following areas can take the Salesforce Certified Sales Representative certification exam:
- directing the investigation and study to develop a sales strategy.
- fostering crucial business connections to engage customers.
- involving clients in the sales process at every level.
- displaying thinking leadership in all interactions with customers.
- creating and presenting solutions depending on the requirements of the customer.
- dealing with discussions and objections.
- gaining commitment to complete transactions.
- recognizing pipeline generation and pipeline development.
Course Outline:
- Planning: 21%
- Customer Engagement: 15%
- Deal Management: 37%
- Pipeline Management: 12%
- Forecasting: 6%
- Customer Success: 9%
Exam Format:
- Content: 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 non-scored questions
- Time allotted: 105 minutes
- Passing score: 70%
- Registration fee: USD 200 plus applicable taxes
Salesforce Certification: Roles-Based Exam
When it comes to Salesforce certification, it is divided into six jobs, each of which has its own examination. This includes the following:
1. Salesforce Administrator
| Salesforce Certified Administrator | Updated Course Outline: Configuration and Setup: 20% Object Manager and Lightning App Builder: 20% Sales and Marketing Applications: 12% Service and Support Applications: 11% Productivity and Collaboration: 7% Data and Analytics Management: 14% Workflow/Process Automation: 16% |
| Salesforce Certified Business Analyst | Updated Course Outline: Customer Discovery: 17% Collaboration with Stakeholders: 24% Business Process Mapping: 16% Requirements: 17% User Stories: 18% User Acceptance: 8% |
| Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator | Updated Course Outline: Security and Access: 20% Objects and Applications: 19% Auditing and Monitoring: 10% Cloud Applications: 11% Data and Analytics Management: 13% Environment Management and Deployment: 7% Process Automation: 20% |
| Salesforce Certified CPQ Specialist | Updated Course Outline: CPQ Platform: 23% Bundle Configurations: 17% Pricing: 16% Quote Templates: 7% Product Selection: 7% Orders, Contracts, Amendments, and Renewals: 15% Products: 11% Approvals: 4% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Administrator | Updated Course Outline: Digital Marketing Proficiency: 13% Subscriber Data Management: 18% Setup: 38% Channel Management: 16% Maintenance: 15% |
| Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder | Updated Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 23% Data Modeling and Management: 22% Business Logic and Process Automation: 28% User Interface: 17% App Deployment: 10% |
2. Salesforce Architect
| Application Architect (Covers Four Prerequisites) | 1. Salesforce Certified Data Architect Course Outline: Data modeling/Database Design: 25% Master Data Management: 5% Salesforce Data Management: 25% Data Governance: 10% Large Data Volume considerations: 20% Data Migration: 15% 2. Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Architect Course Outline: Declarative Sharing: 76% Performance and Scalability: 7% Programmatic Sharing: 17% 3. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 7% Data Modeling and Management: 13% Process Automation and Logic: 40% User Interface: 23% Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: 17% 4. Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 23% Data Modeling and Management: 22% Business Logic and Process Automation: 28% User Interface: 17% App Deployment: 10% |
| Salesforce Certified B2B Solution Architect | Updated Course Outline: Discovery and Customer Success: 25% Data Governance and Integration: 26% Design: 29% Delivery: 12% Operationalize the Solution: 8% |
| Salesforce Certified B2C Solution Architect | Updated Course Outline: Discovery and Customer Success: 18% Functional Capabilities and Business Value: 19% Architecture Design: 23% Data Models and Management: 21% Integration: 19% |
| Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Architect | Updated Course Outline: Design/Discovery: 29% Build: 19% Monitoring/Troubleshooting: 14% Integrations and Customizations: 22% Launch: 16% |
| Salesforce Certified Heroku Architect | Updated Course Outline: Heroku Platform: 10% Data: 17% Security: 15% Heroku Enterprise: 28% Architect Applications: 15% Integrations: 15% |
| System Architect (Covers Four Prerequisites) | 1. Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect Course Outline: Application Lifecycle Management: 8% Planning: 13% System Design: 15% Building: 14% Deploying: 14% Testing: 13% Releasing: 13% Operating: 10% 2. Salesforce Certified Identity and Access Management Architect Course Outline: Identity Management Concepts: 17% Accepting Third-Party Identity in Salesforce: 21% Salesforce as an Identity Provider: 17% Access Management Best Practices: 15% Salesforce Identity: 12% Community (Partner and Customer): 18% 3. Salesforce Certified Integration Architect Course Outline: Evaluate the Current System Landscape: 8% Evaluate Business Needs: 11% Translate Needs to Integration Requirements: 22% Design Integration Solutions: 28% Build Solution: 23% Maintain Integration: 8% 4. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 7% Data Modeling and Management: 13% Process Automation and Logic: 40% User Interface: 23% Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: 17% |
| Salesforce Certified Technical Architect | Updated Course Outline: System Architecture Security Data Solution Architecture Integration Development Lifecycle and Deployment Planning Communication |
3. Salesforce Developer
| Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Developer | Updated Course Outline: B2C Commerce Setup: 11% Work With a B2C Site: 12% Data Management Using Business Manager Usage: 24% Application Development: 53% |
| Salesforce Certified Industries CPQ Developer | Updated Course Outline: Products: 20% Promotions and Discounts: 7% Pricing: 17% Rules: 12% APIs: 12% Ordering and Quoting: 12% Troubleshooting: 20% |
| Salesforce Certified JavaScript Developer I | Updated Course Outline: Variables, Types, and Collections: 23% Objects, Functions, and Classes: 25% Browser and Events: 17% Debugging and Error Handling: 7% Asynchronous Programming: 13% Server-Side JavaScript: 8% Testing: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer | Updated Course Outline: Data Modeling: 14% Programmatic Languages: 35% API: 22% Data Management: 22% Security: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified OmniStudio Developer | Updated Course Outline: Flex Cards: 15% OmniScripts: 20% Integration Procedures: 17% Data Raptors: 20% Calculation Procedures & Matrices: 8% Integrated Troubleshooting and Deployment: 20% |
| Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder | Updated Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 23% Data Modeling and Management: 22% Business Logic and Process Automation: 28% User Interface: 17% App Deployment: 10% |
| Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I | Updated Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 7% Data Modeling and Management: 13% Process Automation and Logic: 40% User Interface: 23% Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: 17% |
| Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II | Updated Course Outline: Salesforce Fundamentals: 5% Data Modeling and Management: 6% Process Automation and Logic: 20% User Interface: 19% Performance: 16% Integration: 15% Testing: 14% Debug and Deployment Tools: 5% |
4. Salesforce Marketer
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Administrator | Updated Course Outline: Digital Marketing Proficiency: 13% Subscriber Data Management: 18% Setup: 38% Channel Management: 16% Maintenance: 15% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Discovery and Architecture: 16% Integration: 20% Account Configuration: 12% Automation: 20% Data Modeling and Management: 21% Messaging: 11% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer | Updated Course Outline: Data Modeling: 14% Programmatic Languages: 35% API: 22% Data Management: 22% Security: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Email Specialist | Updated Course Outline: Email Marketing Best Practices: 15% Email Message Design: 13% Content Creation and Delivery: 18% Marketing Automation: 19% Subscriber and Data Management: 28% Tracking and Reporting: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant | Evaluation: 17% Account Configuration: 20% Automating Business Processes: 17% Email Marketing: 10% Lead Management: 14% Personalizing the Prospect Experience: 8% Reporting, Metrics & Analytics: 11% Sales Emails and Alerts: 3% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist | Visitors and Prospects: 8% Administration: 11% Account Engagement Forms, Form Handlers and Landing Pages: 20% Lead Management: 24% Email Marketing: 20% Engagement Studio: 17% |
5. Salesforce Consultant
| Salesforce Certified Business Analyst | Updated Course Outline: Customer Discovery: 17% Collaboration with Stakeholders: 24% Business Process Mapping: 16% Requirements: 17% User Stories: 18% User Acceptance: 8% |
| Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant | Solution Overview: 18% Data Cloud Setup and Administration: 12% Data Ingestion and Modeling: 20% Identity Resolution: 14% Segmentation and Insights: 18% Act on Data: 18% |
| Salesforce Certified Experience Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Experience Cloud Basics: 8% Sharing, Visibility, and Licensing: 17% Branding, Personalization, and Content: 15% Templates and Themes: 10% User Creation and Authentication: 13% Adoption and Analytics: 5% Administration, Setup and Configuration: 25% Customization Considerations, and Limitations: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified Education Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Domain Expertise: 18% Education Cloud Configuration: 22% Implementation Strategies and Best Practices: 18% Solution Design: 19% Integration and Data Management: 16% Analytics: 7% |
| Salesforce Certified Tableau CRM and Einstein Discovery Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Data Layer: 24% Security: 11% Administration: 9% Tableau CRM Dashboard Design: 19% Tableau CRM Dashboard Implementation: 18% Einstein Discovery Story Design: 19% |
| Salesforce Certified Field Service Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Managing Resources: 16% Managing Work Orders: 23% Managing Scheduling and Optimization: 28% Configuring Mobility: 10% Managing Inventory: 8% Managing Assets: 5% Configuring Maintenance Plans: 5% Permissions and Sharing: 5% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Discovery and Architecture: 16% Integration: 20% Account Configuration: 12% Automation: 20% Data Modeling and Management: 21% Messaging: 11% |
| Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant | Evaluation: 17% Account Configuration: 20% Automating Business Processes: 17% Email Marketing: 10% Lead Management: 14% Personalizing the Prospect Experience: 8% Reporting, Metrics & Analytics: 11% Sales Emails and Alerts: 3% |
| Salesforce Certified Nonprofit Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Domain Expertise: 20% Nonprofit Cloud Product Configuration: 22% Implementation Strategies and Best Practices: 18% Solution Design: 20% Integration and Data Management: 15% Analytics: 5% |
| Salesforce Certified OmniStudio Consultant | Updated Course Outline: FlexCards: 23% OmniScripts: 27% Data Tools: 23% Best Fit Solutioning: 27% |
| Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Sales Practices: 11% Implementation Strategies: 13% Application of Product Knowledge: 18% Lead Management: 7% Account and Contact Management: 11% Opportunity Management: 10% Sales Productivity and Integration: 8% Consulting Practices: 7% Sales Metrics, Reports & Dashboards: 7% Data Management: 8% |
| Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant | Updated Course Outline: Industry Knowledge: 10% Implementation Strategies: 15% Service Cloud Solution Design: 16% Knowledge Management: 9% Interaction Channels: 10% Case Management: 15% Contact Center Analytics: 5% Integration and Data Management: 5% Service Console: 15% |
6. Salesforce Designer
| Salesforce Certified User Experience Designer | Updated Course Outline: Discovery: 13% UX Fundamentals: 16% Human-Centered Design: 12% Declarative Design: 27% Testing: 11% Salesforce Lightning Design System (SLDS): 21% |
| Salesforce Strategy Designer | Updated Course Outline: Value Design: 32% Tools and Artifacts: 23% Intangible Deliverables: 26% Leveraging Adjacent Roles/Skills: 19% |
What to Expect from the Salesforce Exams?
When taking a Salesforce certification exam, it’s important to understand what to expect in terms of the exam format, types of questions, duration, and passing score. Here’s what you can expect from the Salesforce certification exams:
- Exam Format and Structure: Most Salesforce certification exams feature a combination of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. The multiple-choice questions typically test your knowledge of specific concepts, while the scenario-based questions require you to apply your knowledge to real-world situations. The number of questions and the duration of the exam vary depending on the exam.
- Types of Questions: The multiple-choice questions may be single-answer or multiple-answer, and they may ask you to select the best answer or the correct answer. The scenario-based questions require you to read a scenario and answer a series of questions based on that scenario. These questions are designed to test your ability to apply your knowledge to real-world situations.
- Exam Duration: The duration of the exam varies depending on the exam, ranging from 60 to 120 minutes. You’ll need to manage your time carefully to ensure that you have enough time to answer all of the questions.
- Passing Score: The passing score for each exam varies, but it’s typically around 65% to 70%. You’ll need to achieve this score or higher to earn your certification.
Preparing for the Updated Certification Exam
When preparing for the updated Salesforce certification exam, it is important to have a clear understanding of the exam structure, content, and format. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:
- Review the Exam Guide: The exam guide provides a detailed overview of the exam structure, content, and format. Make sure to read it thoroughly to understand what topics will be covered and how the exam questions will be presented.
- Utilize Salesforce Trailhead: Salesforce Trailhead is a free, interactive learning platform that offers a variety of training modules and exercises designed to help you prepare for Salesforce certification exams. Use Trailhead to identify areas where you may need additional study and practice.
- Attend Training: Salesforce offers a variety of training options, including online courses and webinars. Consider attending a training session to get a more in-depth understanding of the exam content and to gain valuable insights from experienced instructors.
- Practice with Sample Tests: Salesforce provides sample tests that can help you assess your readiness for the certification exam. Take advantage of these tests to identify areas where you may need additional study and practice.
- Join Study Groups: Consider joining a study group or online forum to connect with other exam takers and exchange study tips and resources. This can be a great way to stay motivated and get additional support and guidance as you prepare for the exam.
Final Words
In conclusion, the recent updates to the Salesforce certification exams have brought important changes that every aspiring Salesforce professional should be aware of. These changes include the introduction of new topics, the removal of outdated material, and a shift towards more scenario-based questions to test practical skills. To prepare for these changes, it’s important to incorporate best practices for studying, as well as to gain practical experience with the Salesforce platform.
Becoming Salesforce certified can provide numerous career opportunities and financial benefits, and it is essential for maintaining expertise in the constantly evolving world of CRM. By staying up-to-date with the latest changes and trends in Salesforce, individuals can position themselves as leaders in their field and contribute to the success of their organizations.
