How to Become a Salesforce Certified Administrator in 2023?

Becoming a certified Salesforce admin is rewarding for your career. It not only exposes you to a global stage filled with opportunities but also helps you improve your skills to shine as an expert admin professional. Salesforce admins know how to manage their Salesforce instances and keep them running at optimal efficiency. They are productive and ensure business processes run smoothly and quickly by automating processes, managing security, and helping the team to contribute effectively.

This is why the demand for this role is increasing everywhere. If you want to improve your skills and make it official, getting certified as a Salesforce admin can help you achieve that. Let’s understand the exam in more detail and find the best Salesforce admin certification courses and resources to help you prepare for it.

What is Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification?

Salesforce Administration Certification is one of the highest forms of recognition for a Salesforce Administrator (Admin). Achieving this certification showcases your expertise in the field and your commitment to the Salesforce platform. There are different Salesforce Admin Certification programs available:

Salesforce Certified Administrator: This program is for professionals who have some experience working as an admin but may lack expert-level skills.
Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator: This program is for seasoned admins who already have Salesforce Administration Certification. It is more difficult.

In this document, we will focus on discussing the first certification program.

Salesforce Certified Administrator Exam Pattern

It is a 105-minute examination with 60 multiple-choice questions.
The passing score of this exam is 65%, which means it requires you to answer 39 questions correctly.
Each question carries one mark.
The examination fee is currently $200 and $100 if you retake the test.
The exam questions are scenario-based, and some of them can be longer compared to other questions.

Salesforce Certified Administrator Exam Topics to Learn

The Salesforce Administrator exam is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and skills in various areas related to Salesforce Administration. To become a successful Salesforce Administrator, it is important to have hands-on experience and to be able to apply the features and functions of the platform effectively. The exam covers the following objectives:

Configuration and Setup: This section tests a candidate’s ability to configure and customize Salesforce according to business needs. It includes topics such as managing users, security settings, and data validation rules.
Object Manager and Lightning App Builder: This section focuses on the creation and customization of Salesforce objects and Lightning apps. It tests a candidate’s knowledge of the Object Manager and Lightning App Builder tools, and their ability to create custom fields, page layouts, and related lists.
Sales and Marketing Applications: This section covers the sales and marketing applications of Salesforce, including lead and opportunity management, campaign management, and forecasting.
Service and Support Applications: This section tests a candidate’s knowledge of the service and support applications of Salesforce, such as case management, knowledge management, and service contracts.
Productivity and Collaboration: This section focuses on the productivity and collaboration features of Salesforce, such as Chatter, Task Management, and Email Integration.
Data and Analytics Management: This section covers data management and analytics in Salesforce, including data import and export, data quality management, and reporting and dashboards.
Workflow/Process Automation: This section tests a candidate’s ability to automate business processes using Salesforce workflows, process builder, and flow builder.

Top Reasons to Get Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification

Sure, here’s a longer version of the Top Reasons to Get Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification:

Stand Out in the Job Market: Becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Employers are always looking for candidates who have proven skills and valuable certifications. By getting certified, you demonstrate your expertise in Salesforce Administration, which can help you land your dream job.
Demonstrate Your Commitment: Achieving Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification shows your commitment to the Salesforce platform and your dedication to improving your skills. This can be especially valuable if you’re looking to advance your career within your current company or if you’re looking to transition to a new organization.
Access to a Network of Professionals: As a certified Salesforce Administrator, you’ll have access to a network of certified professionals who can provide guidance and support as you continue to develop your skills. This can be especially valuable if you’re just starting out in your career or if you’re looking to expand your knowledge and expertise.
Increase Your Earning Potential: With Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification, you can increase your earning potential and open up new opportunities for career advancement. Many employers are willing to pay a premium for candidates who have valuable certifications and proven skills. Additionally, having a Salesforce certification can help you negotiate a higher salary or secure a promotion within your current organization.
Validate Your Knowledge and Skills: Finally, becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator validates your knowledge and skills in Salesforce Administration. It gives you confidence in your abilities and expertise, and can help you feel more comfortable taking on new challenges and responsibilities. This can be especially valuable if you’re looking to take on a leadership role within your organization or if you’re looking to start your own consulting business.

Is Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification Worth It?

Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification is definitely worth it. It not only helps you stand out in a crowded job market, but also validates your knowledge and skills in Salesforce Administration. It shows your commitment to the Salesforce platform and your dedication to improving your skills, which can be valuable for career advancement. Additionally, having a Salesforce certification can increase your earning potential and open up new opportunities for career growth.

Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification Preparation Tips

Preparing for the Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification exam can be challenging, but with the right resources and study plan, you can pass the exam with confidence. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the exam:

Use Official Salesforce Study Materials: Salesforce provides official study materials and resources to help you prepare for the exam. These resources include study guides, online courses, and practice exams. Make sure to use these resources as your primary study materials.
Join a Study Group: Joining a study group can be a great way to prepare for the exam. You can connect with other Salesforce professionals who are also preparing for the exam and share study tips and resources. Salesforce provides a Trailblazer Community where you can find study groups and connect with other professionals.
Take Practice Exams: Taking practice exams can help you identify areas where you need to improve and get a feel for the types of questions you can expect on the actual exam. Certspots provides free online Salesforce Certified Administrator practice exam that you can take to prepare for the exam.
Focus on the Exam Objectives: The exam covers a wide range of topics related to Salesforce Administration. Make sure to focus on the exam objectives and study the topics that are most heavily weighted on the exam.
Get Hands-On Experience: Hands-on experience is key to becoming a successful Salesforce Administrator. Make sure to practice using Salesforce and apply the features and functions of the platform effectively.

By following these tips and creating a study plan that works for you, you can prepare for the Salesforce Certified Administrator Certification exam and pass with flying colors. Good luck!