Salesforce Platform App Builder
Certification Guide
The Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification is the credential that demonstrates the test taker’s ability to declaratively customize the standard applications or declaratively build a totally custom application.
"Declaratively" is a term that Salesforce uses to distinguish between building applications using 'point and click' and 'programmatic' meaning using Visualforce and Apex coding.
The Platform App Builder certification does not require detailed knowledge and skills of programming, but it does require knowing when it is appropriate or necessary to use coding to achieve an objective. Once a practitioner achieves this certification, he or she will be a Certified Platform App Builder.
Key Facts
The exam is made up of 60 multiple choice questions
105 minutes to complete
The passing score is 63%
There are no prerequisites
Cost is USD $200 and the retake fee is USD $100 if you are unsuccessful
This guide will explain everything that test takers need to think about how to become a Platform App Builder-certified and the core topics of the exam.
Five topics are covered in the Platform App Builder exam. The topic with the highest weighting is Business Logic and Process Automation as it is weighted at 28%. This is an area that must be focused on to do well in the exam.
Objective | Weighting |
|---|---|
Business Logic and Process Automation | 28% |
Salesforce Fundamentals | 23% |
Data Modeling and Management | 22% |
User Interface | 17% |
App Deployment | 10% |
Salesforce Platform App Builder
Certification Contents
The following are the core topic areas of the Salesforce Platform App Builder certification and what test takers are expected to know:
Salesforce Fundamentals
In this section, test takers need to be familiar with the capabilities of the base objects and know the capabilities and use cases for declarative customizations versus programmatic solutions. It also includes knowing the use cases for using an AppExchange app.
As part of declaratively building or customizing an application, the appropriate level of an object, record, and field access for different types of users must always be kept in mind. This section will present scenarios and the test taker will need to determine the appropriate access and sharing solution, using features such as profile object access, permission sets, role hierarchy, sharing rules, manual sharing, and field-level security.
A fraction of this section also covers the features and capabilities of Salesforce reports, report types, and dashboards, using global, object-specific actions and layouts to optimize Salesforce experience, and Chatter use cases and configurations.
Data Modeling & Management
The Data Modeling and Management topic has the third-largest weighting in the exam, so test takers should spend time to be familiar with topic objectives. In order to pass the data modeling and management section of the Platform App Builder certification exam, test takers must be familiar with a variety of topics related to data management. These topics include being able to determine the appropriate data model given a scenario, the different relationship types and implications of selecting one on the user interface, reporting, and record access. In addition, the considerations for changing a field data type is also relevant.
The use cases and capabilities of external objects and when it is appropriate to use them as part of a data model design are discussed here. In order to work visually with the data model, a knowledge of schema builder is required. Finally, the options for importing and exporting data into and out of Salesforce, including the capabilities of external data sources are particularly covered by this section.
Business Logic & Process Automation
The Business Logic and Process Automation topic is the highest weighted section at 28. This topic requires the know-how to apply business logic to particular applications, using record types, formula fields, validation rules, and roll-up summary fields. Understanding the capabilities and use cases for the various automation tools, including Approval Processes, Workflow, Flow Builder, and Process Builder are also important.
One tricky topic under this section is knowing the possible solutions to automate business processes while avoiding errors. For example, the potential for field updates to cause recursion. Recursion is a valid programming technique, used when a method calls itself to solve a complex problem, however, it can cause a problem in Salesforce, if an update on one field triggers an update on another field which causes an update back on the first field, resulting in a recursive loop.
User Interface
In the User Interface section, test takers need to understand how to declaratively customize the user interface and when and how to use custom buttons, links, and actions. In addition, the knowledge on Lightning Components and how they can be incorporated into an application declaratively or programmatically are the main focus of this topic.
App Deployment
In this section, test takers need to be familiar with the options and best practices for deploying an application from a sandbox to production or from one org to another. This includes understanding the different types of sandboxes, different deployment tools, and when it is appropriate to use each tool for a particular type of deployment. Change sets are one way of deploying metadata from a sandbox. It is also important to understand the capabilities and role of packages in app development and deployment. Knowing the appropriate deployment tools based on given requirements are vital in devising an effective and efficient deployment plan.
To prepare successfully for the certification exam, we recommend to work through our
Platform App Builder Study Guide and Platform App Builder Practice Exams
Platform App Builder
Study Guide
Every topic objective explained thoroughly.
The most efficient way to study the key concepts in the exam.
Platform App Builder
Practice Exams
Test yourself with complete practice exams or focus on a particular topic with the topic exams. Find out if you are ready for the exam.
Comments
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Copyright 2019 - www.FocusOnForce.com
Copyright 2019 - www.FocusOnForce.com
Was able to PASS App builder. Studied only FOForce material and practice tests. Thanks a lot for awesome material
Is the Platform App Builder 3 attempts for each release like the admin exam is?
Hi John,
Yes, it’s the same for all certifications.
Hello all, happy to see your feedback. I want to aim for the App Builder cert, May I ask which one is a wise choice? Is it Guide or Practice Questions? or Both?
Please suggest so that I can purchase accordingly.
Thanks
Hi, Lakshmi! If you have less than a year of handling a Salesforce org, we suggest that you go for both the study guide and practice exams. Platform App Builder covers more topics and requires practical experience to pass. The study guide will help you explore the topics that you need to learn and it also provides screenshots and example scenarios that can help with self-paced training. We will be more than happy to assist you if you have any more questions.
I went to TrailblazerDX last month and was able to pass both my Admin Certification and Advanced Admin Certification during my week there. Your resources and practice exams were a valuable part of me being able to pass both of these exams in one week. Thanks and I will be using FOF as I continue to build my Salesforce knowledge base!
Hi Chad! We are glad to know that you have passed the Admin and Adv Admin Certification with our assistance. Congratulations on these milestones. It is our honor to be able to prepare you well for the exams you had. Great job! On to the next goals that you have set! We wish you all the best on your next certifications. Job well done!
Thanks again FOF!
Sat and passed my app builder today on first go using the study guide and practice questions as my main source of study.
That’s two from from and going to keep the momentum going and move onto experience cloud.
Thank You!
Hi Ben! We are glad to know that you have passed the PAB Certification. Congratulations on this milestone. It is our honor to be able to prepare you well for the exam you had. Great job! On to the next goals that you have set. We wish you all the best as you tackle the Experience Cloud certifications.
Just passed my admin cert and starting my app builder. FOF helped me prepare so much before. Thank you FOF/Martin for this affordable and easy-to-use resource!
Awesome news, KC! Congratulations on clearing the exam! We are glad to know that we are able to help! Cheers!
Is that % up to date???
Hi Konrad, yes the %s are up to date. There was a recent update on the official exam guide for App Builder – https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/help?article=Salesforce-Certified-Platform-App-Builder-Exam-Guide#outline
We also created a blog post about this recent update for App Builder – https://focusonforce.com/certification/app-builder-exam-update-february-2021/
I passed my Platform App Developer certification exam today, after getting my Admin 101 last month, both thanks in large part to your practice admin exams, filling in the gaps in my knowledge with your study guides. You have created a great one-stop-shop for developing a broad understanding of features into an exam-ready knowledge arsenal!
Now on to Developer 1!
Hi Jeremy, that’s great news, congrats on passing! We’re happy to hear that our materials helped!
I passed Platform App Builder today thanks to Focusonforce your online resources material. I’ll use it again in the next future.
Hi Hedy, congrats on passing the exam, it’s great that our materials were so helpful!