Salesforce Certified Associate
The Salesforce Certified Associate credential is designed for individuals who are either new to the Salesforce ecosystem or have a growing interest in the Salesforce Customer 360 Platform. These candidates are eager to learn how to navigate and use the Salesforce platform for common business scenarios. Whether aiming to gain experience or explore a career in Salesforce, they may be on their way to becoming Salesforce Certified Professionals.
Candidates should have a basic understanding of how an integrated CRM system connects various departments and customer data. Familiarity with Salesforce, either as a user or learner, and an interest in supporting core functionalities in the latest Salesforce version are essential. Knowledge of foundational aspects like reporting, user management, sharing, customization, and data management will be advantageous.
Knowledge Requirement
Salesforce Certified Associate candidates generally have up to 6 months of experience using Salesforce. They should have a basic understanding of the platform’s core features and be able to navigate Salesforce confidently. The Salesforce Certified Associate exam is ideal for those looking to showcase their knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas:
- How the CRM platform addresses the challenge of connecting departments and customer data
- Business challenges that can be resolved using Salesforce Customer 360
- Essential Salesforce Platform terminology
- Foundational-level functions in the latest Salesforce version, including requirements gathering, reporting, security, sharing, customization, and data management
Exam Details
The Salesforce Certified Associate exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and up to five unscored questions, with a time limit of 70 minutes. To pass, candidates must score at least 62%. The exam is available as a proctored test, either at a testing center or through an online proctoring service. No reference materials, whether hard-copy or online, are permitted during the exam.
Course Outline
The Salesforce Certified Associate exam evaluates a candidate’s knowledge and abilities in key areas. Candidates should be keen to learn and work with the Salesforce Customer 360 Platform, focusing on basic functionality within the latest version of Salesforce. They should also have a general understanding of how a CRM platform addresses the need for connecting departments and customer data, as well as how Salesforce can be used to solve various business challenges. However, the major topics include:
– Salesforce Ecosystem 32%
- Given a scenario, describe various resources available to learn and apply in-demand Salesforce skills.
- Given a use case, identify which Salesforce Customer 360 product offerings could be used.
- Describe how companies use Salesforce.
- Differentiate between various job roles and career paths in the Salesforce ecosystem.
– Navigation 28%
- Given a scenario, identify how a user can locate and access necessary information.
- Given a scenario, identify where Salesforce customization takes place.
– Data Model 25%
- Explain the relationship between the core standard objects (Account, Contact, Lead, Opportunity, Case).
- Given a scenario, determine which feature to use to ensure data visibility.
- Given a scenario, determine which tool to use to ensure data integrity.
– Reports & Dashboards 15%
- Describe reports on Salesforce.
- Describe dashboards on Salesforce.
Salesforce Certified Associate: FAQs
Salesforce Exam Candidate Code of Conduct
By participating in the Salesforce Credentialing Program, you must agree to the terms outlined in the Salesforce Credential and Certification Program Agreement.
Participants in the Salesforce Credentialing Program are expected to:
- Use official Salesforce study resources on Trailhead, including exam guides, trail mixes, and Trailhead courses to prepare for certification exams.
- Engage with the Trailblazer Community to find additional training, collaborate with peers, and connect with study groups or mentors.
- Follow the rules for both online proctored and in-person certification exams.
- Report any activity that compromises credential security to the Credential Security team.
Participants in the Salesforce Credentialing Program are prohibited from:
- Sharing, using, or seeking out certification exam questions and answers, or superbadge solutions.
- Requesting, offering, or accepting assistance during your certification exam.
- Engaging in any activity that violates the Salesforce Credential and Certification Program Agreement.
Violations of the Program Agreement may result in:
- Cancellation of upcoming exams.
- Suspension from taking online proctored exams.
- Ban from participating in any certification exams.
- Revocation of existing certifications and superbadges.
- Removal from the Salesforce Credentialing Program and the Trailblazer Community.
Salesforce Certified Associate Study Guide
1. Understand the Exam Guide
The Salesforce Certified Associate Exam guide is created to help you assess your readiness for completing the certification exam. This guide outlines key details about the target audience, recommended resources, and a comprehensive list of exam objectives, all aimed at supporting you in achieving a passing score. To improve your chances of success, Salesforce strongly advises a mix of hands-on experience, attending relevant courses, and self-study.
2. Use Recommended Training and Resources
To prepare for this exam, Salesforce suggests combining hands-on experience, completing training courses, exploring Trailhead trails, and engaging in self-study on the topics outlined in the Exam Outline. Recommended study resources for this exam include:
- Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Associate Credential
- Module: Salesforce Associate Certification Prep
3. Utilize Salesforce Trailhead Academy
Salesforce Trailhead Academy is an excellent resource for preparing for the Salesforce Certified Associate exam. It offers a variety of training courses designed to help candidates build a solid foundation in Salesforce, covering essential concepts and hands-on practice. Through Trailhead, candidates can access guided learning paths, including Trailmixes specifically tailored to the Salesforce Certified Associate exam.
These learning modules and trails provide interactive lessons, real-world scenarios, and practical exercises that help candidates deepen their understanding of the Salesforce platform while enhancing their knowledge of key exam topics like CRM fundamentals, platform features, and business use cases. Trailhead Academy serves as a comprehensive, flexible resource for mastering the skills needed to succeed in the certification exam.
4. Become Part of Study Groups/Communities
Joining study groups and communities can significantly enhance your preparation for the Salesforce Certified Associate exam. Engaging with fellow candidates allows you to share insights, ask questions, and discuss challenging topics, creating a collaborative learning environment. Online forums, social media groups, and local meetups provide platforms to connect with others who are also preparing for the exam, fostering a sense of community and support.
Participating in these groups can expose you to diverse perspectives and study strategies, helping you to deepen your understanding of Salesforce concepts. Additionally, discussing exam objectives and sharing resources, such as study materials and practice questions, can improve your retention of key information and boost your confidence as you approach the exam day.
5. Take Practice Exam Tests
Taking practice exam tests is a crucial step in preparing for the Salesforce Certified Associate exam. These practice tests simulate the actual exam environment, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the question format, timing, and overall structure. By regularly assessing your knowledge through these tests, you can identify your strengths and areas that need improvement, enabling you to focus your study efforts effectively.
Additionally, practice exams help build your confidence, reduce test anxiety, and enhance your time management skills, ensuring you are well-prepared on exam day. Many online resources and platforms offer practice questions specifically aligned with the Salesforce Certified Associate exam objectives, providing valuable feedback and insights to refine your understanding of key concepts and increase your chances of passing.
