The Salesforce Administrator certification is a fundamental credential for any Salesforce admin, demonstrating a solid understanding of Salesforce features and best practices.
This certification is foundational for Salesforce professionals, covering the core Salesforce CRM platform, including the Sales and Service Cloud products, and the Force.com platform, which allows for extending Salesforce functionality.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the exam:
- Entry-level certification
- 6-12 months of experience required
- No prerequisite qualifications
- $200 fee
Ideal Candidate
The Certified Administrator exam is ideal for those new to Salesforce, providing a way to prove knowledge of the core platform. Achieving this certification reassures employers that you can administer, maintain, and extend Salesforce using custom functionality on the Force.com platform. It’s also suitable for ‘accidental admins’ or those already working as Salesforce Admins without certification. The certification process can significantly enhance skills and expertise, transforming you into a more capable Salesforce Administrator. It’s also a prerequisite for many other Salesforce exams, so understanding the basics is crucial before moving on to advanced certifications. If you are just starting, consider the Salesforce Associate certification first for a solid foundation in Salesforce and its ecosystem.
Exam Topics
The Salesforce Admin certification will test your knowledge on:
- Configuration and Setup
- Object Manager and Lightning App Builder
- Sales and Marketing Applications
- Service and Support Applications
- Productivity and Collaboration
- Data and Analytics Management
- Workflow/Process Automation
Key Topics
Salesforce exams consist of various topics with different weightings. Pay attention to these key sections, as they will likely make up the majority of the exam.
- Configuration and Setup (20%): Understand internal and external security, including password management, IP restrictions, network settings, user profiles, roles, and sharing settings.
- Object Manager and Lightning App Builder (20%): Know how Salesforce operates as a relational database with tables (objects), fields, and links, differentiating between standard and custom objects.
- Data and Analytics Management (14%): Manage data import, updates, deletions, extraction, and validation. Use reports and dashboards to monitor performance and support business growth.
- Workflow/Process Automation (16%): Utilize Salesforce automation tools to streamline tasks, improve productivity, and aid platform adoption, selecting the best tool based on business requirements.
Study Strategy
Breaking down the Salesforce Administrator certification into sections makes it more manageable. Start with the official Salesforce Trailhead exam guide, which outlines all the necessary concepts. Use this as your revision plan, checking off each section as you understand it. Utilize Trailhead, Salesforce’s online learning platform, to learn features and test yourself with real-time feedback. Gain hands-on experience by using a Trailhead playground, experimenting with features, and completing the Admin Beginner, Admin Intermediate, Admin Certification Trail, and Admin Certification Trailmix on Trailhead.
Exam Strategy
On exam day, follow these tips for success:
- Memorize key concepts using cheat sheets.
- Carefully read each question, paying attention to scenario-based clues.
- Use the process of elimination to discard incorrect answers.
- Identify standard Salesforce features to avoid custom solutions when best practice options are available.
- Utilize the “Mark for review” feature for questions you’re unsure about, and review them if time permits.
Resources
- 300+ Salesforce Administrator Practice Exam Questions
- Salesforce Certified Administrator Course
- Trailhead Exam Guide
Tips
- Use the Trailhead Exam Guide as your main revision resource.
- Test features and concepts thoroughly in a Developer org or a Trailhead Playground.
- Book your exam to set a target date for your preparation.
- Practice with mock exams to identify and address knowledge gaps.
- Download our Top 10 Salesforce Certification Tips eBook.
Final Thoughts
The Salesforce Certified Administrator exam is essential for all Salesforce professionals. It meets employer expectations and provides confidence in your ability to manage and customize Salesforce. Once certified, numerous career opportunities will open up — it’s just a matter of choosing your path.
