Salesforce Data Architect Exam Questions

The Salesforce Certified Data Architect credential is a highly respected validation of your data modeling, management, and governance expertise within the Salesforce ecosystem. The exam is challenging, but you can confidently secure this valuable certification with focused preparation. This blog post will delve into sample exam questions to give you a taste of the knowledge domains you’ll need to master.

Sample Questions and Solutions

Q1. A company must regularly import large amounts of product data from an external system into Salesforce. Which two factors should a data architect consider to optimize performance?

  1. Bulk API usage and parallel processing
  2. Data Loader and validation rules
  3. Custom triggers and workflow rules
  4. SOSL queries and list views

Answer: a. Bulk API usage and parallel processing

Q2.  A company wants to prevent users from deleting certain archived records while allowing record modification. How can a data architect achieve this?

  1. Create a “Before Delete” trigger that throws an error.
  2. Adjust sharing rules and profiles to remove the “Delete” permission.
  3. Use a validation rule to prevent changes to the record’s status.
  4. Create a custom object with a read-only lookup relationship to the archived records.

Answer: b. Adjust sharing rules and profiles to remove the “Delete” permission.

Q3. A business requires a way to classify data based on its confidentiality levels. What Salesforce feature should a data architect utilize?

  1. Field-Level Security
  2. Role hierarchy
  3. Custom permissions
  4. Data Classification Metadata

Answer: d. Data Classification Metadata

Q4. An organization plans to load a large dataset (over 50 million records) into Salesforce. What’s the recommended approach for a data architect?

  1. Utilize the standard Data Loader for its simplicity.
  2. Consider Big Objects for storing massive datasets.
  3. Leverage a custom Apex script for maximum control.
  4. Break the load into smaller batches via the Bulk API.

Answer: b. Consider Big Objects for storing massive datasets.

Q5. A business analyst must aggregate data from a related object displayed on a parent record.What are some key recommendations a data architect should consider?

  1. A Visualforce page with a custom Apex controller
  2. A formula field
  3. Roll-up summary field
  4. A cross-object workflow rule

Answer: c. Roll-up summary field

Q6. A company experiences performance issues when running reports on a custom object with millions of records. What are the key data optimization techniques a skilled data architect should employ?

  1. Add custom indexes to frequently filtered fields.
  2. Utilize Skinny Tables where possible.
  3. Reduce the number of fields on the object layout.
  4. Increase history tracking retention periods.

Answer: a.  Add custom indexes to frequently filtered fields.

Q7. A business wants to ensure that contact records with missing email addresses are easily identifiable. How should a data architect address this?

  1. Implement a scheduled Apex job to flag incomplete records.
  2. Create a validation rule preventing saves without an email address.
  3. Use a workflow rule to send an email notification.
  4. Build a report and dashboard to visualize records with missing emails.

Answer: b.  Create a validation rule preventing saves without an email address.

Q8. An org needs to track the source of leads (website, trade show, etc.). To minimize manual entry, what should a data architect propose?

  1. Utilize a picklist field with predefined values.
  2. Implement a Web-to-Lead form with a hidden field.
  3. Create a lookup relationship to a Campaign object.
  4. Automate lead source updates via Process Builder.

Answer: b.  Implement a Web-to-Lead form with a hidden field.

Q9. A company has inconsistent data across multiple systems. How can a data architect help establish a single source of truth?

  1. Implement Master Data Management (MDM) strategies.
  2. Rely heavily on validation rules for all data sources.
  3. Utilize Salesforce Connect to mirror data.
  4. Schedule regular data cleansing operations.

Answer: a. Implement Master Data Management (MDM) strategies.

Q10. An organization needs to mask sensitive data in a sandbox environment. What is the most efficient way for a data architect to complete this?

  1. Use Data Loader to export and manually obfuscate data.
  2. Leverage Salesforce Data Mask.
  3. Write custom Apex code to anonymize fields.
  4. Utilize third-party data masking tools from AppExchange.

Answer: b.  Leverage Salesforce Data Mask.

Q11. A company plans to archive old, infrequently accessed data but still needs occasional reporting access. What should a data architect suggest?

  1. Create a custom Big Object to store the data.
  2. Move the data to an external data warehouse.
  3. Delete the data to keep the org streamlined.
  4. Utilize a custom object with limited sharing rules.

Answer: a. Create a custom Big Object to store the data.

Q12. An organization wants to track changes to key fields on their Account records over time. What’s a standard Salesforce feature a data architect should recommend?

  1. Field History Tracking
  2. Debug logs
  3. Workflow field updates
  4. Custom change log object

Answer: a. Field History Tracking.

Q13.  A business wants to integrate data between Salesforce and a legacy ERP system in real-time. What integration pattern should a data architect consider?

  1. Remote call-ins (Apex)
  2. ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tools
  3. Batch Apex process
  4. Data Loader with scheduling

Answer: a. Remote call-ins (Apex)

Q14. An organization is concerned about unauthorized data exports from Salesforce. How should a data architect enhance security?

  1. Monitor API usage.
  2. Utilize event monitoring tools.
  3. Restrict permission to the Data Loader.
  4. Create custom reports on user logins.

Answer: a. Monitor API usage.

Q15. To reduce storage costs, an organization wants to purge old files (attachments) while keeping references to them. What strategy should a data architect consider?

  1. Salesforce Files Connect to access external storage.
  2. Schedule Apex for file deletion and log the metadata.
  3. Custom object to store file metadata and links.
  4. Utilize ContentDocumentLink for managed links.

Answer:  a. Salesforce Files Connect to access external storage. 

Q16. A company merges with another, leading to duplicate Account records. What data management approach should a data architect recommend?

  1. Manual inspection and record merging.
  2. Utilize Salesforce’s built-in duplicate management tools.
  3. Rely solely on external data cleansing tools.
  4. Develop a custom Apex duplicate identification and merge process.

Answer:  b. Utilize Salesforce’s built-in duplicate management tools.

Q17. An organization wants to provide external partners access to specific Salesforce data while enforcing security. What should a data architect recommend?

  1. Create Partner Community licenses.
  2. Implement Salesforce Connect with OData.
  3. Utilize a middleware solution for controlled data exposure.
  4. Build a custom Visualforce page with robust authentication.

Answer: a. Create Partner Community licenses.

Q18.  A company experiences slow performance when creating new records due to complex logic. Which solution should a data architect investigate?

  1. Replace triggers with Process Builder and Flows where possible.
  2. Refactor Apex code to optimize queries and reduce SOQL limits.
  3. Increase system timeouts to accommodate processing time.
  4. Disable validation rules temporarily during data loads.

Answer: a. Replace triggers with Process Builder and Flows where possible.

Q19. An organization must enforce complex data validation rules that standard validation rules cannot handle. What should a data architect suggest?

  1. Build custom Visualforce pages with JavaScript validation.
  2. Utilize Apex triggers to implement the validation logic.
  3. Install a third-party AppExchange validation package.
  4. Rely on users to carefully review data before saving.

Answer:  b. Utilize Apex triggers to implement the validation logic.

Q20. A company wants to represent a complex hierarchy of related records visually. How should a data architect enable this?

  1. Implement a custom Lightning Web Component (LWC).
  2. Create a hierarchy custom field on the object.
  3. Utilize standard record detail page and related lists.
  4. Build a Visualforce page with custom logic.

Answer:  a.  Implement a custom Lightning Web Component (LWC).

Conclusion

The Salesforce Data Architect exam tests various skills fundamental to effective data management in complex Salesforce environments. Success hinges on:

  • In-depth Conceptual Knowledge: Mastering data modeling, security, governance, etc., is vital.
  • Scenario-Based Thinking: Apply concepts to real-world problems posed in the exam.
  • Experience: Hands-on Salesforce experience reinforces the theory significantly.

By diligently studying, utilizing practice resources, and focusing on core data principles, you’ll be well-equipped to earn this prestigious certification and the job!