Ultimate Guide: How to Pass your Salesforce Certification
Achieving a Salesforce certification is a significant milestone for professionals looking to advance their careers in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing. Whether you’re aiming to validate your skills as an Administrator, Developer, or Architect, passing a Salesforce certification exam can open doors to new opportunities, enhance your professional credibility, and position you as an expert in one of the most in-demand platforms today.
However, preparing for a Salesforce certification exam can be daunting. With a vast syllabus to cover, the challenge of balancing work and study, and the pressure to succeed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not – this guide is designed to provide you with the strategies, tips, and resources you need to approach your Salesforce certification journey with confidence.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best revision techniques backed by proven psychological principles, point you to the most valuable study resources, and share essential exam-day strategies to ensure you’re fully prepared. Whether you’re new to Salesforce or looking to add another certification to your resume, these insights will help you maximise your chances of success and make your certification experience a positive one.
Understanding the Salesforce Certification exam format
Before diving into your study materials, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the specific Salesforce certification exam you’re planning to take. Understanding the format, question types, and the skills being tested will not only help you prepare more effectively but also reduce any surprises on the exam day.
Overview of Salesforce Certification Exams
Salesforce offers a wide range of certifications tailored to different roles within the ecosystem. These include:
- Administrator Certifications: Designed for those responsible for maintaining Salesforce, managing users, and optimising the platform. E.g. Salesforce Certified Administrator.
- Developer Certifications: Focused on professionals who build custom applications and functionalities on the Salesforce platform. E.g. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I.
- Architect Certifications: Targeted at those who design and implement complex solutions that span multiple Salesforce clouds. E.g. Salesforce Certified Technical Architect.
- Consultant Certifications: Aimed at professionals who implement solutions and work directly with clients to meet business needs. E.g. Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant.
If you press on any of the above links to Trailhead, you will see there are various other areas outside of these roles like Marketing or Sales, but at a high level these are the main 4 categories.
Each certification comes with its own set of prerequisites, exam objectives, and target audience, so it’s important to choose the one that aligns with your current role or career goals.
Exam Format and Structure
While each Salesforce certification exam has its nuances, most follow a similar format:
Number of Questions:
Typically, Salesforce certification exams consist of 60 multiple-choice or multiple-select questions. Some exams may include additional unscored questions used for research purposes.
Duration:
You’ll usually have 90 to 105 minutes to complete the exam, depending on the specific certification.
Passing Score:
The passing score varies by exam but generally ranges between 65% and 70%. It’s important to check the exact passing criteria for your chosen certification.
Question Types:
- Multiple-Choice Questions: Choose one correct answer from four or five options.
- Multiple-Select Questions: Select two or more correct answers from a list of options. Be careful here—if you miss any correct options or choose incorrect ones, you may not receive full marks for the question.
- Scenario-Based Questions: These questions present a real-world scenario, requiring you to apply your knowledge to solve a problem or make a decision. This type of question tests your practical understanding and ability to implement Salesforce solutions.
Scored vs Unscored Questions:
Some exams include unscored questions that are not counted towards your final score. These are typically used by Salesforce to trial new questions. You won’t know which questions are unscored, so it’s essential to treat every question seriously. It will tell you in each exam guide if there are any unsecured questions, and if there are – it will usually be 5 questions.
Skills Being Tested
Salesforce certification exams are designed to evaluate your knowledge and skills across several key areas:
- Core Concepts: Understanding Salesforce’s core functionalities, including its architecture, data model, and automation capabilities.
- Practical Application: Your ability to apply Salesforce features to solve real-world business challenges, whether that’s automating a process, configuring a security model, or developing custom applications.
- Best Practices: Adherence to best practices in configuring, developing, and managing Salesforce environments.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse business requirements and translate them into effective Salesforce solutions.
The Importance of the Exam Guides
Before you start studying, read or download the official exam guide for your certification from Salesforce’s website. This document is invaluable as it outlines the specific topics covered in the exam, the weightage of each section, and the skills you need to focus on. Use the exam guide as a roadmap to structure your study plan, ensuring you cover all the critical areas. This is probably the first document you want to read before undertaking your revision, as it will act as your North Star.
Revision Techniques and Resources
Effective preparation is the cornerstone of success in any certification exam, and Salesforce certifications are no exception. With a well-structured revision plan, access to the right resources, and the application of proven study techniques, you can enhance your retention, understanding, and confidence as you approach your exam. In this section, we’ll explore the best strategies for revising, along with the top resources available to help you prepare thoroughly.
Create a study plan
A well-organised study plan is your roadmap to certification success. It helps you break down the syllabus into manageable sections and ensures that you cover all necessary topics within your available time.
| Start with the Official Certification Exam Guide | As mentioned earlier, the official Salesforce exam guide of the certification you want to sit should be your starting point. Identify the key topics and their weightage, then allocate time accordingly in your study schedule. |
| Set Realistic Goals | Determine how many hours you can dedicate to studying each week, and break your study sessions into focused blocks. Aiming for short, consistent daily sessions is often more effective than long, infrequent study marathons. You can also search online to see what others say about the exam, as well as how long it took them to revise. |
| Track your Progress | Use a study tracker or spreadsheet to monitor your progress. This helps you stay accountable and adjust your plan if you fall behind or need more time on certain topics. |
| Review Regularly | Include time for regular revision of previously covered material. This reinforces your memory and helps prevent knowledge decay as you move on to new topics. |
There are plenty of study guides you can download online for free, but the template you use won’t matter too much. What does matter is what you put into it, and how you plan your study – as this will ensure you sit your exam prepared and in a timely manner.
Effective Study Techniques
Beyond just reading and re-reading your notes, adopting active learning techniques can significantly improve your ability to recall and apply the material during the exam.
- Active Recall and Spaced Repetition: These are two of the most effective study techniques, supported by extensive psychological research.
- Active Recall: Instead of passively reading, actively test yourself on the material. This could be through flashcards, quizzes, or simply writing out answers from memory. This technique forces your brain to retrieve information, strengthening your memory.
- Spaced Repetition: Spread your revision of each topic over increasing intervals. Tools like Anki or Quizlet can help automate this process, ensuring you review topics just before you’re likely to forget them.
- Mind Mapping and Summarisation: Visual learners may benefit from mind maps, which allow you to see the connections between different topics. Creating concise summaries of complex concepts can also help you distil the information into easily digestible parts.
- Practice Exams: Simulating the exam environment by taking practice exams is crucial. It helps you get accustomed to the format, manage your time effectively, and identify areas where you need further revision. Salesforce offers official practice exams, but there are also many third-party providers that can offer additional practice questions.
- Getting Hands On: One of the great things about Salesforce is they provide learning and testing environments where you can physically use their product without having to pay for it. This being said the majority of Salesforce Certifications will have a Salesforce Developer org you will be able to use, either through Trailhead Projects, or through a specific Dev Org creation link – for example for the Data Cloud Consultant certification you can create a Developer org with Data Cloud enabled in it, or for the Service Cloud Consultant certification you can create one with Service Cloud enabled.
Recommended Resources
To support your study efforts, it’s essential to leverage the best available resources. Obviously your go to for any Salesforce certification should be Trailhead, and the recommended Trailmix that is suggested on each certification page. Here’s a list of go-to materials for Salesforce certification preparation:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Salesforce Trailhead | Trailhead is Salesforce’s official learning platform, offering interactive, self-paced modules across various topics. Each module is designed to build your skills progressively, with hands-on challenges that replicate real-world scenarios. Look for Trailmixes (custom learning paths) specific to your certification. |
| Salesforce Documentation | The official Salesforce documentation is a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of the platform. It’s particularly useful for deep dives into specific features or when you need clarification on certain functionalities. |
Online Communities and Forums:
| |
Books and Study Guides:
| |
| YouTube Channels and Podcasts | Visual and auditory learners may find video tutorials and podcasts useful. Channels like “Salesforce Apex Hours” and “SFDC 99” provide detailed explanations and tips, while podcasts like “Salesforce Admins” offer insights and interviews with Salesforce professionals. |
| Mobile Apps and Tools | For those on the go, apps like Salesforce Trailhead Go, Anki, or Quizlet allow you to study wherever you are, turning downtime into productive revision sessions. |
Maximising Your Study Sessions
To get the most out of your study sessions, it’s important to stay focused and productive:
- Eliminate Distractions: Find a quiet study space, put your phone on silent, and use apps like Focus@Will or Pomodoro timers to keep your concentration sharp.
- Take Breaks: Research shows that taking regular breaks can improve focus and retention. The Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of study followed by a 5-minute break) is a popular method.
- Stay Healthy: Sounds simple, but if you don’t have the fundamentals down, you won’t be remembering anything. Don’t neglect your physical and mental well-being. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep all contribute to better cognitive function, which is crucial for effective study.
- Make time: Majority of people sitting Salesforce certifications don’t have lots of time for revision – this is where your calendar will be your best friend. Each week block out where you will revise, and STICK TO IT! If a week is too far out – do it the night before.
Preparing in the Weeks Leading Up to the Exam
As your Salesforce certification exam approaches, it’s time to refine your preparation strategy and ensure that you’re fully ready to tackle the challenge. The weeks or even days leading up to the exam are crucial for reinforcing your knowledge, identifying any remaining gaps, and building the confidence you’ll need on exam day. In this section, we’ll cover the key steps you should take in the final stages of your preparation.
Mock Exams: Testing Your Readiness
Taking mock exams is one of the most effective ways to assess your readiness and identify areas that need further attention.
- Simulate the Exam Environment: Try to replicate the actual exam conditions as closely as possible when taking mock exams. This means setting aside the full duration of the exam, working in a quiet, distraction-free environment, and using only the resources allowed in the real exam.
- Analyse Your Performance: After completing a mock exam, thoroughly review your answers. Identify any questions you got wrong and revisit those topics in your study materials. Pay attention to patterns—if certain types of questions or topics consistently trip you up, it’s a sign that you need more focused revision in those areas.
- Adjust Your Study Plan: Based on your performance in mock exams, adjust your study plan to allocate more time to weaker areas. This targeted revision can make a significant difference in your overall preparedness.
At Black Cloud we prepare practice exams to closely mirror that of the actual certification. You can find our practice exams here.
Revision Cycles: Reinforcing Key Concepts
In the final weeks before your exam, your focus should shift from learning new material to reinforcing what you’ve already covered. This should look like the following:
- Prioritise High-Weight Topics: Refer back to the exam guide and focus on the topics that carry the most weight in the exam. Ensure that you’re confident in these areas, as they will have the greatest impact on your overall score.
- Regular Review Sessions: Continue to use spaced repetition techniques to review key concepts. Short, frequent review sessions are more effective than trying to cram all your revision into a single, lengthy session.
- Practice Scenarios: For scenario-based questions, which are common in Salesforce exams, practice applying your knowledge to real-world situations. This will help you develop the analytical thinking needed to tackle these types of questions effectively.
Mental and Physical Preparation
As the exam approaches, it’s important not to neglect your mental and physical well-being. This is so basic but so important that it cannot be understated.
For proper brain function, it’s important you are getting the bare minimum for a healthy brain – Sun, Vitamins, Fresh Air, Sleep & Exercise. A fast way to tick most of them is going for a walk. You will be amazed what a 30 minute walk per day while you are revising will make. This is especially important if you have lots of work and need to revise – if you don’t your days will just morph into no free time and no enjoyment. Treat your brain, get lots of sleep, eat well, drink lots, and get some damn sun on your face!
Apart from exercise, you should be prioritising sleep and nutrition. A well-rested mind is more alert, focused, and capable of retaining information. Additionally, maintain a balanced diet rich in brain-boosting nutrients to support optimal cognitive function. The very last thing you want is to be tired while sitting your exam, you will make way too many mistakes – and in our experience, most Salesforce certifications are passed by only a few %.
Final Preparations
In the last few days before the exam, focus on consolidation rather than cramming.
- Review Your Notes: Go through your summaries, flashcards, or mind maps one last time. Focus on the areas you’ve identified as challenging, but don’t try to learn new material at this stage.
- Light Practice: If you’re feeling confident, consider doing a light review of a mock exam or practice questions, but avoid anything too intensive that might induce stress.
- Prepare Logistically: Ensure that all your exam logistics are in order. For in-person exams, confirm the location, time, and any identification you need to bring. For online exams, check your internet connection, webcam, and any required software. Ensure your exam environment is quiet and free of distractions.
The Day Before the Exam
The day before your Salesforce certification exam is a critical time for final preparations, but it’s also important to manage your stress levels and set yourself up for success. This is the time to focus on mental and physical readiness rather than cramming in last-minute details. In this section, we’ll cover the best practices for the day before the exam to ensure you’re in the best possible shape to perform well.
Mental & Physical Preparation
Your mental and physical state on the day of the exam can significantly impact your performance, so it’s essential to take care of both.
Get a good night of sleep, please!
Sleep is crucial for cognitive function, memory consolidation, and overall alertness. Aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your exam. Avoid the temptation to stay up late cramming—your brain will be more effective after a good rest. If you really need to do last minute revision, try not to adjust your current sleep schedule. E.g. if you usually wake up early for work, don’t try to stay up late and wake up late for this exam to be able to revise the night before – continue to wake up and go to sleep the same time as usual.
Avoid the last minute cramming
While it might be tempting to go over your notes one last time, last-minute cramming can increase anxiety and actually impair your ability to recall information. Instead, focus on light review or relaxation techniques to keep your mind calm and clear. What we suggest is going over your notes at a high level, making sure you understand the basics and foundations. You don’t need to read too much into all the detail at this stage, this activity is just to refresh and remind your brain of areas you have revised, and high level information in each topic.
Eat a balanced meal
Ensure that you have a nutritious meal before you head to bed and plan a balanced breakfast on the morning of your exam. Foods rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates provide sustained energy and help maintain focus. Our favourite day-before meal is Salmon with fried vegetables and quinoa 😍.
Final Review – Keep it Light
If you feel the need to do some final review, keep it light and focused on key concepts. Some great last minute activities can be reviewing summaries and flashcards, or even mind mapping. Spend 30 minutes to an hour reviewing your flashcards or summary notes. Focus on high-weight topics and any areas you’ve struggled with, but avoid deep dives into complex material. Mind maps are also a great idea. If you have created mind maps, this is a good time to visually go over them to reinforce the connections between different concepts. This technique can help you quickly recall key information during the exam.
Preparing the Exam Environment
If you’re taking the exam online, preparing your exam environment the day before is crucial to avoid any technical issues or distractions.
- Check Your Equipment: Ensure that your computer, webcam, and internet connection are working properly. It’s a good idea to do a trial run of any required software, such as the online proctoring platform, to make sure everything is set up correctly. You will also need to make sure that you have installed the Webassessor software and are ready to go! If this is your first exam, you will need to set up your biometrics.
- Prepare Your Space: Set up a quiet, well-lit, and clutter-free space where you can take the exam without interruptions. Inform household members of your exam time to avoid disturbances, and ensure you have everything you need within easy reach, such as water, a notepad, and a pen.
Get Organised for the Day Ahead
Finally, make sure you’re organised for the exam day itself.
- Check The Time: Please triple check the date and time of your exam, there have been so many horror stories of people missing their exam because they misremembered the time.
- Set Multiple Alarms: If your exam is scheduled for the morning, set multiple alarms to ensure you wake up on time. You don’t want to add unnecessary stress by running late.
- Lay Out Your Clothes: Whether you’re taking the exam at a testing center or at home, having your clothes laid out the night before can reduce decision-making stress in the morning.
- Plan Your Route or Setup: If you’re taking the exam at a testing center, plan your route and allow extra time for unexpected delays. For online exams, have everything set up and ready the night before so you can start the day smoothly.
Stay Positive
It’s normal to feel a bit anxious the day before an important exam, but try to maintain a positive outlook. Remind yourself of the hard work you’ve put in and trust in your preparation. A positive mindset can make a significant difference in your performance, and possible the difference between your pass or fail.
On the Day of the Exam
The day of your Salesforce certification exam has finally arrived. All your preparation has led to this moment, and it’s essential to approach the day with a calm, focused mindset. Here we will discuss the best practices for managing your time, maintaining composure, and ensuring you perform at your best during the exam.
Time Management During the Exam
Effective time management can make a significant difference in how you perform during the exam. Here are some strategies to help you pace yourself:
Read the instructions carefully
At the beginning of the exam, take a moment to carefully read the instructions. Make sure you understand the format, how to navigate between questions, and how to flag questions for review if needed. Some exam gurus will tell you to read all of the questions before you start answering them – but we don’t suggest this. Majority of exams are broken down so you get 1.75 minutes per question, which isn’t too many. Also the way the exam is laid out – for some questions you won’t be able to skip past them – you will need to mark an answer before moving on.
Pace Yourself
Salesforce exams are timed, so it’s important to pace yourself. A good rule of thumb is to spend about a minute to a minute and a half on each question. If you encounter a particularly difficult question, don’t spend too much time on it—flag it and move on. You can return to it later if time permits. At the end of the exam it will show you a screen of all questions, and which ones you have flagged, so you can easily press into the flagged questions.
Use the mark for review feature
As we just mentioned, If you’re unsure about an answer, mark the question and move on. This feature allows you to keep track of questions that need further attention without wasting time during your first pass through the exam.. The worst thing you can do is miss questions because you ran out of time. A question answered is better than a question unanswered.
Stay aware of the time
Keep an eye on the clock, but don’t let it make you anxious. Periodically check how much time you have left and adjust your pace if necessary. If you find yourself with extra time at the end, use it to review your answers. You will tend to get a good idea of how you are doing for time when you have 15-20 questions left.
Handling Difficult Questions
Inevitably, you’ll encounter questions that are more challenging than others. Here’s how to manage them effectively:
- Stay Calm: If you come across a difficult question, take a deep breath and stay calm. Panic can cloud your judgment, so approach the question with a clear mind.
- Eliminate Wrong Answers: Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Even if you’re unsure of the correct answer, eliminating obviously incorrect options increases your chances of selecting the right one.
- Think Like Salesforce: Sometimes, the best way to answer a difficult question is to think about how Salesforce would approach the problem. Consider best practices and the standard functionalities of Salesforce as you make your decision. Also for a lot of the administration certifications, you will want to choose the answer that makes Salesforce look best – they typically won’t put a question in there with the right answer making them look bad. That being said – don’t always go with the most simple answer!
- Don’t Overcomplicate: Trust your instincts and don’t overcomplicate your reasoning. Often, your first choice is the correct one, especially if you’ve prepared thoroughly.
Reviewing Your Answers
If you have time left after completing all the questions, reviewing your answers can help you catch any mistakes or reconsider questions you were unsure about. We know a lot of the time you just want to end if and find the answer, but sometimes just reviewing those ones you really weren’t sure on could lead to additional marks.
If you do go back on any questions, try to avoid second guessing. You should still be sticking to your gut, but let other questions you have answered impact your answer here. Its common that other questions in an exam will better inform the correct answer to different questions.
After the Exam
Completing your Salesforce certification exam is an achievement in itself, regardless of the outcome. What you do after the exam can be just as important as your preparation. In this section, we’ll explore how to reflect on your performance, what to do if you didn’t pass, and how to celebrate your success if you did.
Reflecting on Your Performance
Once the exam is over, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions—relief, anxiety about the results, or curiosity about how you performed. Taking time to reflect can provide valuable insights for future exams and professional development.
- Review Your Experience: Think back on how the exam went. Were there any particular sections or types of questions that were more challenging than others? Did you feel confident about your time management and overall performance? Reflecting on these aspects can help you identify areas for improvement.
- Note Any Surprises: If there were any questions or topics that caught you off guard, make a note of them. This could indicate areas where you might need more study or practical experience, regardless of the exam outcome.
- Avoid Post-Exam Analysis Paralysis: It’s easy to over-analyse every question you answered, but try to avoid dwelling too much on specific answers or worrying about mistakes you think you made. What’s done is done, and obsessing over it won’t change the result.
Getting into the habit of writing your thoughts and findings after the exam is great practice, it not only can help other people in the future who want to sit the exam, but it can help yourself! If you fail or pass. It can help you with other Salesforce certifications as Salesforce certifications generally follow a pattern.
Receiving Your Results
Salesforce certification exam results are available immediately after the exam or within a few days if you took the exam in a testing center. Here’s what to do once you receive your results:
- Celebrate Your Success: If you passed, congratulations! You’ve earned a valuable credential that can open new doors in your career. Take a moment to celebrate this achievement—whether it’s with a small treat, sharing the news with friends and colleagues, or updating your LinkedIn profile and resume.
- Review Your Score Report: Salesforce provides a score report that breaks down your performance by section. Even if you passed, reviewing this report can give you insights into your strengths and weaknesses. This can help guide your future learning and development.
- Plan Your Next Steps: Now that you’ve passed, consider what’s next. Do you want to pursue additional Salesforce certifications? Are there specific skills or areas you’d like to deepen your expertise in? Use your score report and reflection to inform your next steps in your Salesforce journey.
If You Didn’t Pass
If you didn’t pass the exam, it’s important to remember that this is just a temporary setback. Many successful Salesforce professionals didn’t pass their exams on the first try. Here’s how to approach a retake:
- Analyse Your Score Report: Your score report will highlight the areas where you struggled. Use this information to focus your study efforts more effectively for your retake.
- Revisit Your Study Plan: Based on your score report and reflections, adjust your study plan. Focus on the areas where you scored lower and consider seeking out additional resources or practice questions to strengthen your understanding.
- Consider a Different Approach: If you didn’t pass, it might be worth trying a different study approach. This could involve joining a study group, seeking help from a mentor, or using different study materials.
- Set a New Exam Date: Once you feel ready, set a new exam date. Having a deadline will help keep you motivated and on track. Salesforce typically has a retake policy that includes a waiting period, so be sure to check the specifics for your certification.
- Review the resit period: Salesforce certifications have a resit period if you fail them. That means you cannot take the exam as soon as you fail, and the more times you fail – the longer the period between resits becomes.
Conclusion
Preparing for a Salesforce certification exam is a journey that requires dedication, strategic planning, and a positive mindset. Whether you’re taking your first Salesforce exam or adding another credential to your resume, the tips and strategies outlined in this guide are designed to help you approach your preparation with confidence and clarity.
From understanding the exam format and utilising effective revision techniques to managing your mindset on the day of the exam, each step plays a crucial role in your success. Remember, certification is not just about passing an exam; it’s about validating your skills, advancing your career, and deepening your understanding of the Salesforce platform.
Regardless of the outcome, the effort you’ve put into preparing for your Salesforce certification is an achievement in itself. If you’ve passed, take pride in your accomplishment and consider your next steps in your Salesforce journey. If you didn’t pass, view it as a learning experience and an opportunity to come back stronger.
The Salesforce ecosystem is vast and constantly evolving, and your commitment to continuous learning and professional development will serve you well, not just in certification exams, but throughout your career. Stay motivated, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to seek support from the vibrant Salesforce community.
Thank you for following this guide, and here’s to your success in achieving Salesforce certification and beyond!
If you are serious about passing your Salesforce certifications, check out our courses here at Black Cloud, we have specific learning material to support your revision, and practice exams. Our teachers have all sat the exams themselves, and helped many students just like you pass, no matter the circumstances!