The Salesforce Certified Data Architect exam is your gateway to validating your expertise in designing and managing scalable, secure, and high-performing data solutions on the Salesforce platform. With the ever-growing volume and complexity of data within organizations, the demand for skilled data architects who can navigate this landscape is increasing.
This blog post is your comprehensive guide to conquering the Data Architect exam and stepping into this sought-after field. Whether you’re a seasoned Salesforce professional or just starting your journey, we’ll equip you with the strategies, resources, and tips you need to succeed. So, are you ready to unleash your data architect potential? Let’s dive in!
Overview of the Salesforce Certified Data Architect Exam
The Salesforce Certified Data Architect certification is for architects who evaluate the architecture setup and needs, creating robust, flexible, and efficient solutions on the Customer 360 platform. The exam evaluates the setup and needs of a system and creates reliable, scalable, and efficient solutions on the Customer 360 Platform, especially for managing business data.
Knowledge Requirement:
Candidates should have an understanding of different frameworks for organizing data, including key components like data collection, integration, storage, managing master data, handling metadata, and ensuring data quality, security, and delivery. They have experience in understanding clients’ needs regarding data quality and developing solutions to maintain top-notch data quality, ensuring accuracy and avoiding duplicates. They can also suggest changes within organizations to improve data management practices. Additionally, they’re skilled at communicating solutions and discussing design choices with business stakeholders. Furthermore, they should be skilled in:
- Creating data models and designing databases
- Managing master data effectively
- Handling data in Salesforce
- Implementing data governance measures
- Dealing with large volumes of data
- Executing data migrations
Experience Required:
The Salesforce Certified Data Architect typically possesses the following qualifications:
- 2 to 3 years of experience working with Salesforce
- Over 5 years of experience supporting or implementing solutions focused on handling data
Exam Learning Objectives:
The Salesforce Certified Data Architect candidate demonstrates expertise, skills, and knowledge in the following areas:
- Creating data models and designing databases
- Managing custom fields, master-detail relationships, and lookup relationships
- Understanding client needs and aligning them with database requirements
- Familiarity with the standard object structure for Salesforce Sales and Service Cloud
- Effective utilization of Salesforce standards and big objects
- Understanding the connection between standard objects and Salesforce license types
- Addressing challenges related to handling large volumes of data
- Implementing indexing, LDV migrations, and optimizing performance
- Proficiency in Salesforce Platform declarative and programming concepts
- Utilizing tools such as Data Loader and ETL platforms for scripting
- Upholding principles of data stewardship
- Possessing skills in maintaining data quality and cleanliness.
Exam Format
- The exam comprises 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions along with up to 5 non-scored questions, and candidates are allotted 105 minutes to complete it.
- A passing score of 58% is required.
- The exam can be taken either onsite at a testing center or in an online proctored environment.
- No hard copy or online materials are allowed for reference during the exam.
- For scheduling information, please click here.
Building a Solid Foundation: Preparing for Salesforce Data Architect Exam
To become a Salesforce Certified Data Architect, you need to start by building a solid foundation of knowledge and experience. To help you achieve this, below are some of the essential and crucial resources that will improve your preparation.
1. Start with the Exam Objectives
Carefully studying the exam goals is important to avoid missing important details. Thoroughly looking through the course plan is crucial for getting ready for the exam, and making sure you cover all the necessary subjects. Reviewing the exam goals multiple times not only helps you understand concepts faster but also boosts your confidence.
So, revising is a crucial step often ignored in exam preparation, which plays a significant role in strengthening your knowledge and readiness. Regular revision helps to keep the information fresh in your mind, increasing your chances of success on the day of the exam. It serves as a useful way to reinforce your understanding and pinpoint any areas that need extra attention.
Understanding Data Modeling/Database Design: 25%
- Comparing and contrasting various techniques and considerations for designing a data model for the Customer 360 platform. (e.g. objects, fields & relationships, object features).
- Given a scenario, recommending approaches and techniques to design a scalable data model that obeys the current security and sharing model.
- Comparing and contrasting various techniques, approaches, and considerations for capturing and managing business and technical metadata (e.g. business dictionary, data lineage, taxonomy, data classification).
- Comparing and contrasting the different reasons for implementing Big Objects vs Standard/Custom objects within a production instance, alongside the unique pros and cons of utilizing Big Objects in a Salesforce data model.
- Given a customer scenario, recommending approaches and techniques to avoid data skew (record locking, sharing calculation issues, and excessive child-to-parent relationships).
Learn about Master Data Management: 5%
- Comparing and contrasting the various techniques, approaches, and considerations for implementing Master Data Management Solutions (e.g. MDM implementation styles, harmonizing & consolidating data from multiple sources, establishing data survivorship rules, thresholds & weights, leveraging external reference data for enrichment, Canonical modeling techniques, hierarchy management.)
- Given a customer scenario, recommending and using techniques for establishing a “golden record” or “system of truth” for the customer domain in a Single Org
- Given a customer scenario, recommending approaches and techniques for consolidating data attributes from multiple sources. Discuss criteria and methodology for picking the winning attributes.
- Given a customer scenario, recommending appropriate approaches and techniques to capture and maintain customer reference & metadata to preserve traceability and establish a common context for business rules
Understanding Salesforce Data Management: 25%
- Recommending an appropriate combination of Salesforce license types to effectively leverage standard and custom objects to meet business needs.
- Recommending techniques to ensure data is persisted in a consistent manner.
- Describing techniques to represent a single view of the customer on the Salesforce platform.
- Recommending a design to effectively consolidate and/or leverage data from multiple Salesforce instances.
Explore Data Governance: 10%
- Recommending an approach for designing a GDPR-compliant data model. Discuss the various options to identify, classify and protect personal and sensitive information.
- Comparing and contrasting various approaches and considerations for designing and implementing an enterprise data governance program.
Understanding Large Data Volume Considerations: 20%
- Designing a data model that scales considering large data volume and solution performance.
- Recommending a data archiving and purging plan that is optimal for customer’s data storage management needs.
- Deciding when to use virtualized data and describe virtualized data options.
Learn about Data Migration: 15%
- Recommending appropriate techniques and methods for ensuring high data quality at load time.
- Comparing and contrasting various techniques for improving performance when migrating large data volumes into Salesforce.
- Comparing and contrasting various techniques and considerations for exporting data from Salesforce.
2. Master the Trailhead
The Salesforce Data Architect Superbadge is your roadmap to mastering essential concepts. Explore additional Trailhead modules dedicated to data security, governance, integration, and more. Dive deeper with Trails specific to data architecture, like “Data Modeling Basics” or “Lightning Data Service for Architects.”
3. Use Recommended training
Salesforce suggests hands-on experience, completing training courses, exploring Trailhead trails, and engaging in self-study in the topics specified in the Exam Outline section of this exam guide. The self-study materials recommended for this exam include:
- Trailmix: Architect Journey: Data Architect
- Expert led-class: Build Data Architect Expertise (ARC201)
4. Participate in Study Groups
Engaging in an Online Community, such as the Salesforce Trailhead Community, is a great way to evaluate your standing in the field. It offers a platform to connect with peers and stay updated. Exploring discussions, questions, answers, and comments related to real-world scenarios provides valuable insights. The variety of viewpoints contributes to more dynamic content, enriching your comprehension. Additionally, these groups keep you informed about any changes to the exam, boosting your confidence in your preparation.
5. Utilize Practice Tests
Once you’ve completed your preparation, it’s time to enter the performance phase, also known as self-assessment. This step is crucial for identifying your strengths and weaknesses, enhancing confidence, and improving time management skills. Practice exams are designed to simulate real exam conditions, giving candidates a realistic experience.
They enable you to evaluate your readiness and make any necessary adjustments to ensure success on the actual exam day. It’s an invaluable opportunity to sharpen your skills and gain confidence in addressing the challenges that may arise during the actual exam. Regular self-assessment is a vital aspect of achieving peak performance and ensuring a seamless exam experience.
Exam Tips and Strategies
Building a solid foundation is crucial, but to truly conquer the Salesforce Certified Data Architect exam, you need a clear, strategized approach to studying. By implementing these strategies with dedication and focus, you’ll chart a course toward exam success and unlock your full potential as a Salesforce Data Architect.
- Determine your starting point, identify areas needing more focus, and set realistic goals. Allocate dedicated study time each day or week, aligning with your learning style and schedule.
- Divide the exam content into manageable chunks, prioritizing areas based on their weightage and your comprehension.
- Identify areas requiring more attention, and adapt your plan as needed.
- Take detailed notes, create mind maps, and summarize key concepts in your own words.
- Test your understanding regularly to identify knowledge gaps and reinforce memory.
- Watch video tutorials, participate in webinars, and join online communities for peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing.
- Optimize Your Exam Day Performance:
- A well-rested mind is a sharp mind.
- Allow time to settle in and manage any pre-exam jitters.
- Don’t rush through; understand the context and nuances before choosing an answer.
- Allocate appropriate time for each question, leaving buffer time for review.
- Double-check any questions you marked for later, but don’t spend excessive time second-guessing yourself.
FAQs: How to prepare for the Salesforce Certified Data Architect Exam?
Below are the commonly asked questions related to Salesforce Certified Data Architect Exam:
1. How to pass the Salesforce data architect exam?
- Familiarize yourself with the six main topics and their weightings
- Utilize official resources: Use Trailhead modules, certification guide, and practice exams directly from Salesforce.
- Get comfortable working with the Salesforce platform through projects or practice scenarios.
- Use practice exams, or instructor-led courses.
- Focus on understanding concepts, not just memorization
- Join study groups or communities
- Practice answering questions within the allotted time limit.
- Identify keywords and understand the underlying concepts.
- Narrow down your choices before selecting the best answer.
2. Is Salesforce data architect certification hard?
The Salesforce Data Architect certification is moderately challenging. While not the most difficult, it requires a solid understanding of data architecture, Salesforce specifics, and practical experience. Focus on preparation with quality resources, hands-on practice, and strategic studying to increase your chances of success.
3. What is the passing score for Salesforce Certified data architect exam?
A passing score of 58% is required.
4. What are salesforce certified data architect prerequisites?
The Salesforce Certified Data Architect typically possesses the following qualifications:
- 2 to 3 years of experience working with Salesforce
- Over 5 years of experience supporting or implementing solutions focused on handling data
5. What is salesforce data architect certification cost?
The registration fee is USD 400, plus applicable taxes as required by local law, with a retake fee of USD 200 under the same tax conditions.
6. How long is the Salesforce data architect exam?
The exam comprises 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions along with up to 5 non-scored questions, and candidates are allotted 105 minutes to complete it.
Conclusion
The path to becoming a Salesforce Certified Data Architect is an enriching journey of knowledge, experience, and strategic preparation. You’ve now explored fundamental steps to build a solid foundation, mastered effective study strategies, and gained insights for optimizing your exam performance. Don’t panic on exam day. Stay calm, breathe deeply, and trust your knowledge. Remember, this is just the beginning. Stay curious and keep learning.
