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Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification: A Few Pointers Before Your Exam

There are generally two types of candidates that take the Salesforce Platform App Builder certification: one with vast experience and the other might actually be a beginner. Although it will certainly be easier for the former, it does not mean that the latter can’t pass it with flying colors.

With guided preparation, anyone can clear this exam in their very first go.

My name is Abhi Chauhan. I am a Salesforce Developer from India, and in this article I will be sharing a few suggestions and reminders before you take your Salesforce App Builder Certification.

Here are the resources you're going to need for your preparations:

  • Trailhead Trailmix
  • YouTube
  • Focus on Force’s Study Guide (Best for Quick Revision)
  • Focus on Force’s Practice Exams  (Highly Recommended!)
  • Salesforce Documents (If you are still left with some time)

Suggestion #1. Start with Trailmix by Salesforce.

This is a lengthy one and will fetch almost 50,000 points as well (closer to Trailhead Ranger). It is important that we understand how we can reap the maximum benefit from Trailhead.

As a beginner, I made certain mistakes while working with Trailhead. I used to complete modules just to accumulate points and it ended up doing more harm than good later. Always keep a notebook or a notepad with you while working on badges and use markers to highlight important points and facts.

The importance of making notes is that it will help you to revise everything faster. You cannot go through the lengthy Salesforce documents or reattempt all the trailhead badges right before your certification. These notes will be very useful for that purpose.

Here are the topics covered in this certification and what I thought of them:

  • Logic and Process Automation—28 (Easy but tricky)
  • Salesforce Fundamentals—23 (Medium difficulty)
  • Data Modeling and Management—22 (Medium difficulty)
  • User Interface—17 (I found this tough)
  • App Deployment—10 (Easiest)

Furthermore, there are free webinars for certification preparation sponsored by Salesforce. These can also be leveraged to boost your preparation. These webinars are like crash-courses.

Suggestion #2. Memorize the 8 Formula Data Types when working with Formula Fields.

When working with formula fields, there are 8 specific return types. Do your best to memorize them for this specific exam. This will come handy while working with questions related to type conversion or you may get a question on the type of formula fields.

Always remember: 'A formula field can use the fields of same object or parent object'

Some Important Restrictions:

  • Character limit in formula fields is 3,900 characters.
  • Fields referenced in formula fields cannot be deleted.
  • You can’t use Long Text Area, Encrypted Fields, Description Fields

'Cross Object Formula Field' :You can extend the relationship up to 10 levels.

Suggestion #3. Know the types of Roll-Up Summary Fields.

There are four types of roll-up summary fields:

  • COUNT
  • SUM
  • MIN
  • MAX

Note: 'AVERAGE' is not available for Roll-Up Summary

✓ Filters can be specified to filter the records available for roll up.

✓ Date and Date/Time Fields are available when you select the roll-up type as Min/Max.

✓ Roll-up summary can trigger Workflow Rules and Field Validations.

Suggestion #4. Familiarize yourself with Validation Rules.

Validation rules don’t apply when you create records with Quick Create. Additionally, validation rules are only enforced during lead conversion if validation and triggers for lead conversion are enabled in your organization.

VALIDATION RULES TRIGGER:

VALIDATION RULES DO NOT TRIGGER:

Web to Lead

Campaign Hierarchy

Web to Case

If master transfer tool is used to change the ownership of records

Roll Up Summary Fields

Workflow Updates

Suggestion #5. Remember these about Picklists and Field Dependencies.

This specific topic can come with some tricky questions so I’ve added  points compiled from my notes:

Global Picklist → This can be used to make a picklist available for multiple objects

Setup → Picklist  → Global Values Set

“While creating a picklist field for any object, we have the option to select the Global Value Set for the values of the picklist field.”

Let’s take a quick look at some conclusions on Field Dependency:

Field Type

Controlling field

Dependent field

Standard Picklist

Yes

No

Custom Picklist

Yes

Yes

Multi Select Picklist

No

Yes

Checkbox

Yes

No

Also, we cannot have multiple levels of Field Dependency. So if there are three picklist fields i.e. A, B and C, then we can choose a combination of any two i.e.  A & B, B & C, or C & A. It is not possible to create a chain of dependency traversing across A, B and C.

Note: There is nothing like RADIO BUTTON.

ADDITIONAL REMINDERS

If a user wants to take ownership of any record (regardless of the OWD), you must have the edit permission on that OBJECT.

A single queue can hold records from multiple objects

Remember the acronym → P.U.R.R.

  • A queue can contain:  P (Public Group), U (Users),  R (Roles), R (Roles and Subordinates)

Custom tabs can be of the following types:

  • Web Tab
  • Lightning Component Tab
  • Custom Object Tab
  • Visualforce Tab
  • Lightning page Tab

You cannot create an address field. It is a composite type.

In addition to normal object records, Data Loader can be used to upload:

  • Attachments
  • Documents
  • Links

Attachments can be  migrated from one org to another in two steps:

  • Export from Source Org
  • Upload to Target Org

You cannot export a Power Point presentation or Video Files, but a link can be obtained for the same.

In the formula fields, there is nothing like ‘REPLACE’ instead ‘SUBSTITUTE’ function is available.

Full copy sandbox is ideal for performance testing

The following can trigger the Approval process:

  • Flow
  • Process
  • Button
  • Trigger

The following can be set as Approver:

  • User
  • Queue
  • Designated/Delegated Approver

When a record is submitted for approval, it is locked for changes until the record completes the approval process. But the following can still make edits:

  • System Administrator
  • Approver
  • User with Modify All Data permission

Note: Salesforce Mobile App can be used to submit records for approval and also to REJECT or APPROVE records.

There you have it!

This sums up some of the important points I've saved for the App Builder certification! Review this 2-3 times before the exam, understand the concepts, and you will be ready to snag that certificate! Let me know your feedback in the comments.

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Chauhan Abhi

Abhi Chauhan

From India, 4X Certified Salesforce Developer with Experience in TIBCO and MuleSoft. A foodie, and a DIY type of person who likes helping people.

Comments

  1. Adenike A.

    Thanks for the detailed write-up. Can you explain further what you mean by “A single queue can hold records from multiple objects”? Thank you.

    1. Belle

      Hi, Adenike! We are happy that you find the materials helpful. The statement means that one queue can hold records that are from different objects, for example, Leads and Cases.