Becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator can give your career a valuable boost. This credential proves your ability to expertly configure, manage and troubleshoot Salesforce instances to align with business requirements.
In this comprehensive 2800+ word guide, we will cover:
- An overview of the Salesforce Administrator certification
- Benefits of getting Salesforce certified
- Details of the Administrator exam format and content areas
- A comparison of the top exam preparation courses and resources
- Proven strategies to pass the certification exam
- Next steps to advancing your Salesforce career after getting certified
- Additional Salesforce certifications to consider
Let‘s get started!
What is the Salesforce Administrator Certification?
The Salesforce Certified Administrator credential is the baseline certification for Salesforce professionals. It evaluates your ability to manage and configure Salesforce applications, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure optimal performance and adoption across an organization.
Some key facts about the credential:
- Format is a 60 multiple-choice question exam, 105 minutes long
- Score required to pass is 65%
- Registration fee is $200, retakes are $100
- Questions are practical scenario-based rather than theoretical
- Covers configuration, management, security, data, automation
You can take the proctored exam remotely from home or at a test center location. Those opting for remote proctoring will need to consent to being recorded and submit a 360° room scan beforehand.
Why Get Salesforce Administrator Certified?
Earning the Salesforce Administrator certification brings several career benefits:
1. Validates your skills – The credential proves to employers that you possess the technical know-how to handle Salesforce administration duties confidently. This can make you stand out from uncertified applicants.
2. Opens up job opportunities – Many companies hiring for Salesforce roles specifically look for or prefer certified candidates. The certification gets your foot in the door for lucrative Salesforce admin job openings.
3. Boosts earning potential – Certified admins command higher salaries – on average $91,177/yr in the US according to Indeed. The certification can thus lead to fatter paychecks.
4. Expands career pathways – The Admin certification serves as a stepping stone towards more advanced certifications like the Salesforce Platform App Builder or Sales/Service Cloud Consultant. These open up roles in consulting, architecture and management.
In short, the Salesforce Administrator certification gives your resume credibility and elevates your career opportunities, salary potential and scope for advancement. It‘s absolutely worth getting certified in 2023!
What is Covered in the Administrator Certification Exam?
Salesforce administration encompasses various responsibilities – from routine user management to complex configuration and automation tasks.
The certification exam tests your grasp of administration skills across these key topics:
Setup and Configuration: Installing packages, managing users, profiles, security controls etc.
Object Manager and Lightning App Builder: Fields, relationships, page layouts, app design principles
Sales & Service Cloud Applications: Lead management, opportunity stages, case assignment rules etc.
Analytics: Reports, dashboards, exporting and mass updating data
Workflow Automation: Approval processes, email alerts, field updates, flows
Data Management: Importing, mass deleting/transferring, duplicate identification
Mobile Administration: Considerations for Salesforce mobile app
Chatter Administration: Global layout, group management, moderation
Thorough preparation across all these areas is vital for exam success. The official Administrator Exam Guide from Salesforce is a must-read resource detailing the exact topics covered.
Now let‘s compare some popular training options to help master these concepts…
Salesforce Administrator Exam Prep Courses
Many excellent Salesforce administrator certification preparation resources are available. Here is an overview of the most popular online training courses:
Trailhead
Overview: Interactive online platform by Salesforce for hands-on learning
Administrator Certification Prep:
- 7 units with articles, tutorials, practice questions etc.
- Covers all key exam topics over 1 hour 40 minutes
- Free access
Pros
- Created by Salesforce – aligned with exam guide
- Bite-sized, gamified, hands-on learning
- Metrics to track progress
- Integrates practical project experience
Cons
- Less structure than a traditional course
- Limited opportunity for instructor interaction
Udemy
Overview: On demand video course by Salesforce expert Mike Wheeler
Details:
- 22 hours of video content
- Simulation exercises, study guides, practice exams
- Covers concepts for exams up to Platform App Builder
Pros:
- High student ratings and reviews
- Updated for latest admin certification exam guide
- Depth of advanced configuration topics
Cons:
- Occasional Q&A delays
- Less hands-on than Trailhead
Edureka
Overview: Instructor-led online training tailored for Administrator & Platform App Builder certifications.
Details:
- 12 hours instructor-led
- Simulator for hands-on experience
- Exam study guide, mock tests
- Classes weekdays or weekends
Pros:
- In-depth fundamentals coverage
- Customizable class schedule
- Good for total beginners
Cons
- Content less advanced than Udemy
- No self-paced access after course
Simplilearn
Overview: Online bootcamp with self-paced and instructor support options
Details:
- 11 hours on demand video plus projects
- 16 quizzes, 4 simulation tests
- Exam study guide access
Pros
- Structured curriculum
- Affordably priced
- Helpful for visual learners
Cons
- Mixed student reviews of instructors
- Light on advanced topics
Pluralsight
Pluralsight offers robust administrator exam prep through 15 courses and 22 hours of content. LinkedIn Learning and Skillsoft are also reliable elearning platforms with administrator certification study options.
YouTube channels like Edureka and Sai Prasad Dasari also have great free administrator exam prep video playlists.
How to Pass the Salesforce Administrator Exam
With thorough content preparation, what else is vital for excelling on exam day? Here are some key strategies:
Time Management
Pace yourself wisely within the 105 minute time limit. Expect an average 1.5 minutes per question – don‘t get stuck. Flag and return to tricky questions.
Leverage Resources
Use ALL learning aids – trailheads, flashcards, study groups, practice tests. Review the exam guide repeatedly. Know Navigation and Help menus inside-out.
Mental Preparation
Don‘t cram the night before. Visualize staying calm under pressure. Be prepared for tough questions – first attempt pass rate is below 65%. Review successes so far to boost confidence.
Getting certified isn‘t easy – but passion and diligent preparation maximize your chances of success!
Next Steps After Getting Certified
Earning the credential is not the end goal – it‘s the starting line for an exciting Salesforce admin career! Here are important next steps:
Add It to Your Profiles: Update resumes and LinkedIn to highlight the certification and boost visibility
Apply for Jobs: Evaluate and pursue open Salesforce administrator or analyst roles that fit your skills
Prepare for Renewal: Review renewal requirements to keep your credential active
Learn In-Demand Skills: Trailhead trails, superbadges and certs like Javascript, Platform App Builder etc.
Negotiate Salary Boosts: Leverage the certification to command higher pay in current or new Salesforce admin jobs
Consider Advanced Certs: Set your sights on specialized credentials like Service Cloud Consultant or Marketing Cloud Email Specialist to stand out even more!
The Administrator certification equips you with the baseline proficiency – but there is always more to master in Salesforce‘s vast ecosystem. View certification as the beginning to excelling as a Salesforce pro!
Wrapping Up
I hope this guide provided you a comprehensive overview of the valuable Salesforce Administrator certification, the exam composition, the best ways to prepare through leading training providers, smart exam-taking strategies, and next steps to advancing your Salesforce administration career.
The key takeaways are:
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Salesforce Administrator certification builds in-demand skills to manage business solutions on the world‘s #1 CRM platform
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Thorough preparation using resources like Trailhead, Udemy and Edureka sets you up for exam success
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Time management, leveraging learning aids, and the right mindset are key to excelling on test day
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Renewing the certification and pursuing additional credentials will boost your expertise, job prospects and salary potential tremendously
Here‘s wishing you the very best with your Salesforce administrator journey in 2023! Please drop any questions in the comments section below.
