Salesforce App Builder Certification Roadmap

Oct 10 / Anushika Soomro

The Salesforce App Builder Certification is a credential that demonstrates your expertise to the employers. Whether you have experience with Salesforce or are just beginning, this comprehensive guide will serve as your roadmap to achieve success.


Lets embark on a journey of learning and discovery in the world of Salesforce unlocking prospects for career growth.

A Guide to Thriving in the Changing Tech Landscape

In today's paced world of technology and business it's essential to stay ahead of the game. As businesses increasingly rely on tools and platforms to streamline their operations, having a grasp of customer relationship management (CRM) software is crucial. When it comes to CRM “Salesforce” takes the stage.

The demand for Salesforce professionals has skyrocketed in today's job market. Companies are actively seeking individuals who can navigate the intricacies of Salesforce, create customized solutions and harness the platform's potential for driving business growth. The Salesforce App Builder Certification has emerged as a differentiator making its holders highly desirable by employers worldwide.

Whether you're a Salesforce professional looking to add another achievement to your repertoire or someone new eager to embark on an exciting career journey, this guide serves as your roadmap to success. So let's dive in together and explore the world of Salesforce.

Understanding the Role of a Salesforce App Builder

Imagine having the ability to shape and adapt Salesforce according to your organization's requirements – all without needing any coding skills.

That's what makes the Salesforce App Builder so special. It's a tool designed to give you the power to customize applications effortlessly with a few clicks.

Essentially the Salesforce App Builder acts as the, behind the scenes architect for creating applications that drive businesses forward. These applications can range from automation tools to customer portals, all aimed at optimizing processes, improving user experiences and maximizing the potential of Salesforce.

Wondering why you should pursue certification? 

Well, it's not about gaining another title. It's about unlocking possibilities. Certification validates your expertise in using the Salesforce App Builder tool giving you the confidence to tackle projects and innovate with ease.

Now let's delve into some statistics related to Salesforce App Builder Certification.

  • In 2022 over 200,000 professionals worldwide became certified as Salesforce App Builders.

  • And if you're curious about the rewards that come with this certification here's what you should know; On average those who proudly hold the title of Certified Salesforce App Builder earn a salary of $100,000.

  • The future? It looks brighter than before. According to projections there is expected to be an increase of 20%, in the demand for professionals who are certified as Salesforce App Builders in the coming years.

Getting ready for the Salesforce App Builder Certification

To prepare for the Salesforce App Builder Certification you will need to acquire a range of skills and knowledge related to Salesforce development and customization. Here are the main skills that you should concentrate on:

Understanding Salesforce Fundamentals: It is crucial to have a grasp of the basics of Salesforce including how to navigate the platform, work with records and be familiar with objects and fields.

Data Modeling: Learn how to create custom objects, fields and establish relationships between them. Understand data types, validation rules and methods for maintaining data integrity.

Customizing User Interface (UI): Master the art of tailoring page layouts, record types and picklists according to your organization's requirements.

Business Logic and Process Automation: Develop proficiency in creating workflows, approval processes and validation rules. Discover methods for automating tasks that can enhance productivity.

Custom Development using Apex: Although the certification primarily focuses on customization without coding (point and click) having an understanding of Apex (Salesforce’s programming language) can provide an advantage. You don't have to be an expert at coding. Having an understanding of Apex can be helpful.

Lightning App Builder: Gain expertise in creating Lightning Pages, Components and using the App Builder tool. Customize the Lightning Experience to provide user experiences.

Reports and Dashboards: Learn how to create reports and dashboards that visualize data effectively and aid decision making.

Security and Access Control: Familiarize yourself with Salesforce’s security model, including profiles, permission sets and roles. Understand how to control access to data and functionality.

Integration: Get familiar with integration concepts like connecting Salesforce with systems and data sources.

Mobile App Customization: Explore ways to optimize Salesforce for devices so that users can have an experience while on the move.

Sales and Service Cloud: Understand the features and capabilities of Sales Cloud and Service Cloud since they are often tested in the certification exam.

App Deployment:
Learn how to deploy customizations from sandbox environments to production smoothly while effectively managing the development lifecycle.

Real world Scenarios:
Apply your knowledge by tackling real world scenarios or projects. Practical experience is priceless.

Prerequisites for Salesforce App Builder Certification

There are no requirements or prerequisites, for obtaining the Salesforce App Builder Certification. However according to Salesforces recommendations it is advantageous for candidates to possess the following qualifications:

  • An experience of 6 months to 1 year in building applications on the Lightning Platform.
  • A solid understanding of Salesforce terminology and principles including knowledge of types of Salesforce licenses and how they are utilized.
  • Proficiency in developing applications that align with business processes and reporting requirements.
  • Familiarity with features and adaptations that enhance the user experience on devices.
  • Knowledge about Salesforce development. The various options available for deploying applications and managing changes on the Lightning Platform.
  • Thorough comprehension of the materials outlined in this exam guide as additional study resources provided by Salesforce.

We highly recommend taking part in our "Mastering Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification" course to increase your chances of success in obtaining your App Builder certification.

Exam Blueprint and Distribution of Marks

About the Exam

Content: The exam consists of 60 choice/select questions along with 5 non scored questions.
Time: You will have a total of 105 minutes to complete the exam.
Passing Score: To pass you must achieve a score of 63%.
Fees: The registration fee is $200 with a $100 fee, for retakes if necessary.
Delivery: You can choose to take the exam either at a testing center or online.

Distribution of Marks

The Salesforce Platform App Builder exam evaluates both your knowledge and practical skills.To successfully pass you should have hands-on experience in developing customized applications on the Lightning Platform. Additionally, you must demonstrate your proficiency in utilizing all the listed features and functions.
1. Salesforce Fundamentals (23%)
This section focuses on understanding the capabilities of core objects making customizations using tools implementing solutions and exploring scenarios where AppExchange apps can be beneficial.

2. Business. Process Automation (28%)
In this section you will learn about workflows, flows and Process Builder to automate business processes and approvals. We will also cover considerations such as field updates impact on operations formula fields usage working with record types, roll up summary fields functionalities and validation rules.

3. Data. Management (22%)
This segment delves into determining data models for use cases. We will explore relationship types capabilities along with their implications on record access controls user interfaces design choices reporting options. Additionally, we will discuss the role of packages in app development and deployment.

4. User Interface (17%)
This section focuses on designing custom buttons, links and actions to enhance user experiences. Furthermore; creating custom Lightning pages is covered along with understanding when Visualforce pages and components are suitable, for use cases.

5. App Deployment (10%)
The final section emphasizes testing changes made in a sandbox environment before deploying them. We'll also cover the concept of change sets. Their purpose. When they should be used.

Study Strategy for Salesforce App Builder Certification

Developing a study strategy is essential for achieving success in the Salesforce App Builder certification exam. While there are approaches you can adopt, we recommend focusing on a use case that encompasses the key concepts covered in the exam.

By implementing these concepts in a real life scenario you will gain an understanding of how Salesforce's utilized to manage business processes. This hands-on experience will enhance your knowledge. Significantly improve your chances of passing the certification exam on your try.

In addition to the use case approach, it's crucial to review concepts from the syllabus practice with sample questions and utilize resources to strengthen your comprehension of key topics.

Review Important Concepts from the Syllabus

To reinforce your understanding and identify any areas that require attention consider creating a study guide or utilizing flashcards to organize and review the concepts, from each topic.
Consistency is paramount when preparing for the Salesforce App Builder certification exam. Create a study schedule that aligns with your availability and allows for focused study sessions. Here's a suggested study schedule to help you get started.

Step 1
  • Begin by reviewing the fundamentals of Salesforce and getting familiar with the basics of objects, declarative customization and AppExchange.
  • Next focus on studying data modeling and management paying attention to topics like data import/export, loaders, mapping and relationships.
  • Dive into the security section. Make sure you understand object level field level and record level security.

Step 2
  • Explore business logic and process automation. This includes learning about workflows, process builders, validation rules, escalation rules and record types.
  • Take some time to understand social app integration as the capabilities of Salesforce in mobile applications.
  • Familiarize yourself with user interface configuration which involves buttons, actions, tabs and links.

Step 3
  • Deepen your knowledge of reporting by learning how to create custom reports well as dashboards.
  • Focus on Salesforce mobile app administration including actions, action layouts specific to objects.
  • Gain an understanding of app development by diving into implementation techniques along with development and deployment processes.

Step 4
  • Review all the topics covered in the weeks to reinforce your understanding of concepts.
  • Take practice exams regularly to assess your progress accurately.
  • Identify any areas that require attention based on your performance, in practice exams. Dedicate study time accordingly.

Make sure to allocate time for revising and practicing exams while you're planning your study schedule. This will help you identify areas where you need improvement and build confidence in your knowledge.

Additional Resources and Practice Exams

In addition to the resources like the Salesforce App Builder certification study guide and sample exams provided by Salesforce it's beneficial to explore study materials and practice exams to enhance your preparation.

There are third party websites and training providers that offer study guides practice questions and mock exams specifically tailored to help you succeed in the Salesforce App Builder certification. Some popular resources include:

Aceaim: Salesforces learning platform that provides modules and trails designed specifically for the App Builder certification.

Forums and communities: Engage with fellow Salesforce professionals in online forums and communities to exchange knowledge, ask questions and gain insights.

By utilizing these resources, you can expand your understanding of the exam topics. Get exposed to different question formats ultimately boosting your confidence and readiness for the certification exam.

Consistency is Key

Consistency is crucial throughout your preparation for the Salesforce App Builder certification. Establish a study routine that suits you best and stick with it. Regular and focused study sessions can aid in retention of information and the establishment of a knowledge base. It is advisable to avoid cramming or last-minute preparation. Instead distribute your study time evenly across topics. Allocate sufficient time for revision and practice exams. Consistency in your approach to studying will not increase your chances of passing the Salesforce certification exam. Also enhance your comprehension of Salesforce concepts and best practices.

Conclusion

Preparing for the Salesforce App Builder certification requires a planned study strategy, an understanding of key concepts and consistent effort. By following the study schedule provided in this guide utilizing resources and maintaining consistency throughout your preparation process you will be well equipped to excel in the certification exam and advance your career as a Salesforce App Builder. Best of luck!