Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Guide 2024
As businesses increasingly rely on the Salesforce platform, the need for certified Salesforce professionals is on the rise. Obtaining a Salesforce certification not only showcases proficiency in the platform but also a dedication to staying updated on its latest features and advancements.
Considering a career in Salesforce? The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator certification is your key initial milestone. In this blog, we’ll delve into:
- Advantages of attaining a Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator certification.
- A comprehensive overview of the exam.
- Effective methods for preparing for the exam.
This guide is indispensable for individuals aspiring to step into the ever-growing realm of Salesforce.
Related Read – Salesforce Admin Certification
About the Salesforce Advanced Admin Certification
The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator is for experienced Salesforce Administrators. It goes deeper into various applications and advanced configurations across the Salesforce platform.
If you already have the Salesforce Certified Administrator credential, the Advanced Administrator certification is your next achievement. It proves your mastery in maintaining Salesforce configurations, demonstrating expertise in admin best practices and using advanced features to solve diverse business challenges.
Who’s the Ideal Candidate?
- Experience: Ideal candidates for the Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator exam possess significant hands-on experience as Salesforce Administrators, demonstrating skills outlined in the exam details.
- Prerequisites: Candidates should hold the Salesforce Certified Administrator credential, complete the Administer, Extend, and Automate Salesforce (ADX211) course, or have equivalent experience.
- Knowledge Base: A broad understanding of the full range of Salesforce application capabilities, end-user features/functions, and configuration and management options is essential.
- Expertise Level: Candidates should be proficient in expert-level administration, utilizing the complete set of Salesforce features specified in the exam outline.
- Advanced Capabilities: Leveraging advanced Salesforce administration features for solving business challenges and automating complex processes.
- Optimization Skills: Can recommend configuration enhancements and best practices to optimize and extend Salesforce usage within an organization.
- Continuous Learning: Actively seeks and evaluates new Salesforce functionality, assessing potential benefits for organizational use.
How to Get Salesforce Advanced Admin Certification?
- Set Up Your Webassessor Account: Begin by creating a Webassessor account, a pivotal hub for your personal details, and exclusive login access to Salesforce certification information.
- Log In and Register: After registration, log in to webassessor and opt to register for a new exam, navigating through the user-friendly interface.
- Choose Your Certification: Explore the array of Salesforce certifications, paying attention to exam codes and language preferences. Ensure you select the Salesforce Advanced Administrator certification.
- Select Exam Date and Time: Upon choosing the Advanced Administrator exam, pick a convenient date and time for your assessment, with options for both online and onsite testing.
- Payment Confirmation: The final step involves securing your registration by paying the exam fee using a credit or debit card. Once payment is completed, your Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification registration is confirmed.
- Exam Process: To attain the certification, you’ll undergo an exam that evaluates your practical application of Salesforce tools in real-world scenarios. This assessment goes beyond theoretical knowledge, providing a comprehensive measure of your proficiency in utilizing Salesforce features.
SF Advanced Admin Exam Outline
Component | Details |
Number of Questions | 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and 5 non-scored questions |
Time Allotted | 105 minutes |
Passing Score | 65% |
Exam Cost | USD 200 (plus applicable taxes as required by local law) |
Retake Exam Cost | USD 100 (plus applicable taxes as required by local law) |
Delivery Options | Proctored exams are available onsite at a testing center or in an online environment. Click here for exam scheduling information. |
References Allowed | No hard-copy or online materials can be referenced during the exam |
Prerequisite | Salesforce Certified Administrator credential |
Salesforce Advanced Admin Certification Syllabus
Security and Access (20%)
- Determine access implications based on the sharing model, parent-child relationships, hierarchical structures, and access to dashboards, report folders, email folders, and Territory Management.
- Contrast the capabilities of custom profiles, permission sets, and delegated administration in managing user permissions and access.
- Evaluate the impact of different user authentication scenarios on system access.
- Compare and contrast the capabilities of different business models, including Person accounts, Accounts, Contacts, and Contacts to multiple Accounts.
Objects and Applications (19%)
- Identify suitable solutions to enhance or extend objects, considering options like master-detail, lookup, junction object, related list, record type, schema builder, and object creator.
- Determine appropriate solutions for enhancing the user interface and experience using app manager, lightning app builder, dynamic forms, standard lightning page components, console, and lightning page analyze button.
Auditing and Monitoring (10%)
- Determine the appropriate tools for monitoring and troubleshooting system activity, such as debug logs and set up audit trails.
- Explain the process of reviewing and troubleshooting security settings, including pending updates that may alter system access.
Cloud Applications (11%)
- Describe features enabling Sales users to conduct the sales process, including products, price books, schedules, orders, and quotes.
- Distinguish the implications and capabilities of Forecasting and Territory Management.
- Explain features enabling interaction between support agents and customers, including Chat, Case Feed, Service Cloud Console, Experience Cloud sites, and Omni-Channel.
- Understand the standard Salesforce suite of products facilitating the extension of the core platform.
Data and Analytics Management (13%)
- Explain tools and best practices for assessing, improving, and enriching data quality, covering data types, validation, managing duplicates, enriching, and archiving.
- Determine appropriate analytic tools for meeting complex reporting requirements, including custom report types, reporting snapshots, complex charting, custom summary formulas, bucketing, joined reports, cross filters, dynamic dashboards, and dashboard filters.
- Understand methods for connecting to, accessing, backing up/restoring, or archiving data outside of the Salesforce platform, including big objects, data warehouses, external objects, data lakes, third-party solutions, and Salesforce Connect.
- Identify the appropriate tools and methods for importing data into Salesforce, such as data import wizard, data loader, and external ID.
Environment Management and Deployment (7%)
- Describe the options available to move metadata between environments, including change sets, sandboxes, and AppExchange (managed/unmanaged).
- Describe the capabilities and best practices for using change sets to move metadata between environments.
Process Automation (20%)
- Given a complex scenario, determine the solution using the best tool or combination of tools to solve a business problem.
- Identify the appropriate tool or method for troubleshooting declarative automation.
- Explain the capabilities and limitations of each declarative automation tool.
- Understand the implications of the order of execution when using automation tools.
Preparation for the Salesforce Adv. Admin Exam
Official Salesforce Resources
- Trailhead Modules: Start with focused learning using Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Prep Modules on Trailhead.
- Study Guides: Gain a comprehensive understanding of exam topics through official guides.
- Practice Tests: Familiarize yourself with the exam format by regularly taking practice tests.
Exploring External Resources
- External Online Courses: Explore various courses on platforms like Udemy to supplement official materials.
- Bootcamps and Communities: Engage in bootcamps and join the Trailblazer community for a well-rounded learning experience.
- Blogs and Forums: Refer to trailhead blogs for additional tips and insights.
Smart Study Habits
- Time Planning: Set a consistent study schedule to cover all topics.
- Active Learning: Engage with the material in diverse ways for better retention.
- Note-Taking: Keep organized notes for quick and efficient revision.
- Practice Tests: Regularly undertake practice exams to build confidence and enhance exam readiness.
By combining Salesforce’s official resources with external learning opportunities and adopting effective study strategies, success in the Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification exam becomes achievable.
Also, explore – Salesforce Business Analyst Certification
Conclusion
As we conclude this guide to the Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification, it’s evident that initiating this certification journey is a strategic move for any professional aiming to stand out in the Salesforce ecosystem. Success hinges on thorough preparation.
The certification exam evaluates your practical Salesforce skills, transcending theoretical knowledge. Remember that the simplified format, featuring multiple-choice questions with three answer choices, streamlines the decision-making process. Ensure your success by combining official Salesforce resources, external learning platforms, and personalized study plans.
By attaining the Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification, you’re not merely affirming your knowledge but starting on a path toward a thriving career in the competitive realm of Salesforce technology. Take that crucial first step today and set yourself apart in the dynamic world of technology.
Salesforce provides over 41 certifications: Review the list of Salesforce certifications to determine the most suitable path for your career.
Authored by Prateek Kataria
CPO at an Edtech Platform, holds 18 Salesforce certifications and is dedicated to enhancing young professionals’ careers. His focus on keeping audiences up-to-date with the latest in Salesforce reflects his dedication to nurturing the next generation of professionals. His leadership is marked by a profound understanding of Salesforce’s capabilities and how they can be leveraged to foster innovation and skill development. LinkedIn