Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam Guide

The Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam and Program Overview provide a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge, skills, and experience required to become a certified Salesforce Platform Developer I. This program is designed for individuals who are proficient in building custom applications on the Lightning Platform using Apex, Visualforce, and basic Lightning Components. By successfully completing the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam, candidates demonstrate their ability to develop custom business logic and interfaces, extending the capabilities of Salesforce. The exam evaluates candidates based on a range of topics and objectives related to developer fundamentals, process automation and logic, user interface development, and testing, debugging, and deployment.

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To prepare for the Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam, candidates are encouraged to engage in a combination of on-the-job experience, training courses, Trailhead trails, and self-study. Salesforce offers a range of recommended resources to aid in exam preparation, including specific trails and superbadges on Trailhead, as well as expert-led courses through Trailhead Academy. The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, with a passing score of 68%. Candidates have 105 minutes to complete the exam, and it can be taken in a proctored environment either onsite at a testing center or online.

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By achieving the Salesforce Platform Developer I certification, individuals enhance their career prospects as Salesforce developers and demonstrate their proficiency in custom application development on the Lightning Platform. The certification showcases a candidate's understanding of multi-tenant concepts, data modeling, and best practices for declarative versus programmatic customizations. It also validates their knowledge of Apex programming, control flow statements, and governor limits, as well as their ability to create and utilize Visualforce pages and Lightning Components. Overall, the Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam serves as a benchmark for developers who wish to showcase their expertise in building robust and innovative applications on the Lightning Platform.

 

Who is it for

The Salesforce Platform Developer I credential is designed for individuals who possess knowledge, skills, and experience in building custom applications on the Lightning Platform. This certification is suitable for developers who have a solid understanding of programmatic capabilities and want to extend Salesforce using Apex, Visualforce, and basic Lightning Components. The exam evaluates candidates on their ability to develop custom business logic and interfaces, as well as their practical application of the skills and concepts outlined in the exam objectives.

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The target audience for the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam includes individuals with one to two years of experience as a developer, with at least six months of experience on the Lightning Platform. Candidates should be familiar with object-oriented languages such as Apex, JavaScript, Java, C#, or Ruby. They should have a good understanding of data-driven applications and relational databases and be knowledgeable about the core objects in the Salesforce schema.

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Additionally, candidates should be able to differentiate between declarative and programmatic methods for solving business requirements, leveraging the declarative capabilities of the platform when appropriate. They should be proficient in Apex programming language and possess the skills to extend the Lightning Platform using Apex, Visualforce, and basic Lightning Components. Familiarity with testing, debugging, and deploying code is also expected.

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Key capabilities expected from the candidate include:

Candidates for the Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam are expected to possess several key capabilities, which are essential for building custom applications on the Lightning Platform. These capabilities include:

1. Proficiency in Data-Driven Applications and Relational Databases: Candidates should have experience working with data-driven applications and have a solid understanding of relational databases. This includes knowledge of data modeling, objects, fields, relationships, and external IDs within the Salesforce schema.

2. Strong Object-Oriented Programming Skills: Candidates should be familiar with object-oriented languages such as Apex, JavaScript, Java, C#, or Ruby. They should have the ability to write efficient and effective code using best practices and be comfortable declaring variables, constants, and methods.

3. Understanding of Governor Limits: Candidates should have knowledge of Salesforce governor limits and their implications on Apex transactions. They should be able to write code that operates within these limits and avoid common pitfalls associated with resource constraints.

4. Knowledge of MVC and Component-Based Architectures: Candidates should understand the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern and how it applies to the Lightning Component Framework. They should be able to design and develop components that adhere to this architecture, promoting code reusability and maintainability.

5. Familiarity with Declarative and Programmatic Solutions: Candidates should be able to differentiate between declarative and programmatic approaches when solving business requirements. They should understand when to use point-and-click tools, such as workflows and formula fields, versus custom code written in Apex or Visualforce.

6. Proficiency in Apex Programming: Candidates should have a strong command of the Apex programming language and be able to leverage its capabilities to customize Salesforce. They should be familiar with control flow statements, SOSL and SOQL queries, DML statements, and exception handling in Apex.

7. Ability to Extend the Lightning Platform: Candidates should be able to extend the Lightning Platform by creating custom interfaces using Visualforce and Lightning Components. They should understand the Lightning Component framework, its benefits, and how to develop Lightning web components to enhance user interfaces and functionality.

8. Skills in Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: Candidates should have experience writing and executing tests for various components, including triggers, controllers, classes, flows, and processes. They should be familiar with Salesforce developer tools, such as Salesforce DX and Developer Console, and understand the debugging and deployment processes.

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These key capabilities form the foundation for success in the Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam, demonstrating the candidate's ability to build custom applications, solve business requirements, and effectively utilize the programmatic capabilities of the Lightning Platform.

 

Purpose of this Exam Guide

The purpose of the Salesforce Platform Developer I Exam Guide is to provide candidates with a comprehensive resource to prepare for and successfully complete the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam. This guide serves as a roadmap, offering valuable information about the target audience, recommended training and references, exam content, and objectives.

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The guide aims to help candidates evaluate their readiness for the exam by providing detailed insights into the knowledge and skills required to pass. It emphasizes the importance of a combination of on-the-job experience, training courses, Trailhead trails, and self-study in maximizing the chances of success.

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By following the recommendations and resources outlined in the guide, candidates can gain a thorough understanding of the exam topics, develop their Salesforce skill set, and confidently approach the exam with the necessary knowledge and preparation. The guide also encourages candidates to provide feedback and comments on individual exam questions, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement of the certification process.

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About the Exam

This section provides you with important details about the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam, which is designed to measure your knowledge and skills related to developing custom applications on the Lightning Platform.

• Content: The exam consists of multiple-choice and multiple-select questions, along with non-scored questions. You will be tested on various topics, including multi-tenant concepts, design frameworks (such as MVC architecture and Lightning Component Framework), data modeling, Apex programming, declarative versus programmatic customizations, process automation, user interface development, testing and debugging, and deployment.

• Time Allotted: You will have a total of 105 minutes to complete the exam. It is essential to manage your time effectively to ensure you can thoroughly review and respond to all the questions within the given timeframe.

• Passing Score: To successfully pass the exam and earn the Salesforce Platform Developer I credential, you need to achieve a minimum passing score of 68%. This score reflects your ability to demonstrate proficiency in the topics and objectives covered in the exam.

• Registration Fee: The exam registration fee is USD 200, which is subject to applicable taxes as required by local law. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the exam registration process.

• Retake Fee: In the event that you do not achieve a passing score on your first attempt, a retake fee of USD 100, plus applicable taxes as required per local law, will be applicable for subsequent attempts. It is important to thoroughly prepare for the exam to minimize the need for retakes.

• Delivery Options: You can choose between two delivery options for the exam. The first option is a proctored exam delivered onsite at a designated testing center. The second option is an online proctored environment, allowing you to take the exam remotely from the comfort of your own location. Both options ensure a secure and reliable testing experience.

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As you prepare for the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam, be sure to familiarize yourself with these important details. Understanding the exam format, time constraints, passing score, fees, and delivery options will contribute to a smoother and more successful exam experience.

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Recommended Training and References

To prepare for the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam, it is recommended to engage in a combination of hands-on experience, training courses, self-study, and online resources. The following training and references can be valuable resources in your exam preparation:

1. Trailhead: Utilize the "Study for the Platform Developer I Exam" trail and the "Prepare for Your Salesforce Platform Developer I Credential" trailmix on Trailhead. These resources provide comprehensive study materials and interactive modules to enhance your understanding of the exam topics.

2. Superbadge: Complete the Apex Specialist Superbadge on Trailhead. This hands-on project will allow you to apply your knowledge of Apex programming and strengthen your skills in solving real-world development scenarios.

3. Trailhead Academy: Enroll in expert-led courses offered by Trailhead Academy to further enhance your Salesforce skill set. The "Build Applications Programmatically on the Salesforce Platform (DEX450)" and "Prepare for your Platform Developer I Certification Exam (CRT450)" courses are particularly relevant for the exam.

4. Online Documentation: Refer to the official Salesforce documentation for in-depth information on various topics. The Apex Developer Guide, Lightning Web Components Developer Guide, Visualforce Developer Guide, and SOQL and SOSL Reference are valuable resources to explore.

5. Additional Resources: Explore other reference materials such as the Object Reference for Salesforce and Lightning Platform, Apex Transactions and Governor Limits, Triggers and Order of Execution, and Security Tips for Apex and Visualforce Development. These resources provide detailed insights into specific areas of Salesforce development.

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Make sure to allocate sufficient time for self-study, hands-on practice, and review of the recommended resources. Combining these training and reference materials with practical experience will help you gain the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the Salesforce Platform Developer I exam.

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Exam Outline

The Salesforce Platform Developer I exam evaluates the knowledge and skills of candidates in various areas. Successful candidates should possess hands-on experience as a Salesforce developer and demonstrate the practical application of the features and functions outlined below.

Developer Fundamentals: 23%

• Understand multi-tenant concepts and design frameworks, such as MVC architecture and the Lightning Component Framework.

• Identify best practices for declarative versus programmatic customizations, including governor limits, formula fields, and roll-up summaries.

• Create and access the appropriate data model, including objects, fields, relationships, and external IDs.

• Understand the options and considerations when importing and exporting data into development environments.

Process Automation and Logic: 30%

• Identify the capabilities of declarative process automation features.

• Use Apex control flow statements and write SOSL, SOQL, and DML statements in Apex.

• Follow best practices for writing Apex classes and triggers, considering governor limits and the save order of execution.

• Implement exception handling in Apex and use declarative functionality and Apex together to automate business logic.

User Interface: 25%

• Display content or modify Salesforce data using Visualforce pages and appropriate controllers or extensions.

• Understand the Lightning Component framework, its benefits, and the types of content it can contain.

• Prevent user interface and data access security vulnerabilities.

• Display and use custom user interface components, including Lightning Components, Flow, and Visualforce.

Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: 22%

• Write and execute tests for triggers, controllers, classes, flows, and processes using various sources of test data.

• Use Salesforce Developer tools, such as Salesforce DX, Salesforce CLI, and Developer Console.

• Approach debugging system issues and monitor flows, processes, asynchronous and batch jobs, etc.

• Describe the environments, requirements, and process for deploying code and associated configurations.

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By thoroughly understanding and applying these exam objectives, candidates can demonstrate their proficiency in the Salesforce Platform Developer I concepts and tasks. It is important to study and gain hands-on experience in each of these areas to perform well in the exam and showcase their expertise as a Salesforce Platform Developer.