How to Pass Salesforce Associate Certification Exam in 2023?

After a highly awaited period, Salesforce launched the entry-level Salesforce Associate exam in September 2022. It is the most revered entry-level exam by fresher graduates and others aspiring to set up a career in Salesforce. Assume you work for a company that relies on Salesforce CRM. You can impress your employer by getting entry-level Salesforce certifications like the Salesforce Certified Associate Exam.

The Salesforce Administrator Certification exam did not have a precursor exam until this new cert exam was launched. The daunting 68-hour-long trailhead was the pointer to the complexity of the syllabus. Freshers new to the Salesforce ecosystem struggled to cross his huge barrier in one go. For this reason, the Salesforce Certified Associate exam was welcomed wholeheartedly by the well-wishers and aspirants.

Quick Overview of the Salesforce Certified Associate Certification Exam

The Salesforce Associate certification is a foundation-level exam for anyone stepping into the platform with a hands-on experience of about six months.

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Let’s go over the exam in brief. As with most other Salesforce exams, the exam has 40 multi-choice and multiple-response questions. You get 70 minutes to attend the exam and need 62% to pass. The exam fee is only 70 USD, and the retake exam is currently free.

Unlike other certification exam syllabi, this has a balanced weightage on all topics. The basics of the Salesforce Ecosystem is the most important topic, and the other domains are Navigation, Data Models, Reports, and Dashboards. The fundamental operations of the platform form the syllabus.

What is the Preparation Time for the Salesforce Associate Exam?

The Salesforce Associate Certification exam is basic; anyone who is well prepared on the topics and has worked on Salesforce can crack this easily. The majority of people pass the exam on their first try. The preparation time for the exam will be wholly dependent on your experience and knowledge of Salesforce. If you are a total newbie, you can prepare to take the exam in 2-3 weeks.

How to Prepare for the Salesforce Associate Exam?

1. Book the Exam First

Most of us only get the motivation to get started if we have a date. To get the preparation started, begin by booking the exam date. Having paid for the exam, the pressure will set in, and you will have no choice but to start learning.

2. Exam Guide

Before getting started, you can acquaint yourself with the detailed syllabus, domain-based weightage, and all other official details. You can also learn using self-study materials on Trailmix and Salesforce learning modules or explore the ultimate Salesforce Associate certification exam guide prepared by saasguru.

3. Make A Plan

Cramming up notes at the last moment will not be helpful for any of the Salesforce exams. Most of the questions are case-based, where you should be able to deduce the best solution for a particular problem. Create a plan for the exam date, including study notes, hands-on experience, and revision.

4. Trailmix

Salesforce Trailhead has curated a set of tasks, modules, documentation, scenarios, and interactive flashcards to help candidates with exam preparation. It is like a customized learning playlist. There are also trail mixes created and shared by experts in the TrailBlazer community for Salesforce Certified Associate Exam. The cue here is to make the most of the free Salesforce resources.

5. Practice Questions

Practice exams will give an insight into your preparedness for the exam. The exam also has a specific pattern, and you have to finish the exam in a limited time. Thus, a practice paper is more than just a test of your knowledge but also gives training on how to attend the exam skillfully without losing track of time. Please note to always stay away from exam dumps. Explore the benefits of taking Salesforce Associate Practice Exams.

6. Focus Topics

The focus topics are defined clearly in the Associate certification exam syllabus. If you are still getting familiar with Salesforce and its associated terms, the objectives defined in the exam syllabus may need to be clarified. It is best recommended to sign up with an affordable exam preparation course provider who will guide you through the learning process. With expert tutoring, notes, practical demonstrations, and hands-on lab experience, you can pass the Salesforce Certified Associate exam on the first try.

7. Flashcards & Revision

Make notes while you are learning and revise the problematic portions. Making flashcards for the concepts will be helpful for quick revision while working on practice exams and during the last revision period. 

Tips to Attend the Exam

1. Keen Attention

The questions mostly ask for the best choice. This could be tricky because multiple options could be correct. Look out for the defining keywords like always, never, only, etc., which will affect the final answer.

2. Work by Elimination

With proper practice, you will be able to eliminate the wrong options rather than trying to figure out the correct answer from the many options given.

3. Use the Paper

For exams in testing centers, you can take the paper given. This can help you jot down and work around scenarios. You can use the paper to keep a tab on the skipped questions you must return to.

Summing Up

Do not feel disheartened over failure. Every failure is a new learning. There is always room for improvement, and the differentiated mark list will give you an insight into the domain you need to concentrate on for the next exam. You can quickly reschedule the exam and start preparing with flashcards and revisions. A period of one or two weeks would be optimal for retaking the exam so that you do not get disheartened about the previous attempt. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the best resources for studying for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam? 

To get ready for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam, you can use a range of materials, such as: 

1. Salesforce’s official documentation: All topics covered by the exam are covered in the official Salesforce documentation. It is a thorough source that offers in-depth knowledge. 
2. Trailhead: Salesforce provides interactive modules and trails that cover a variety of platform features on its free online learning platform. There are specific trails designed to prepare you for the certification exams. 
3. Certification Study Guides: Salesforce provides official study guides for each certification exam. These manuals contain suggested study tools as well as an outline of the exam’s subject matter. 
4. Online Courses and Training: Many online courses are available on platforms like saasguru, and LinkedIn Learning that are specifically designed to help you prepare for the certification exam. Look for courses that have good reviews and cover the exam objectives. 
5. Use practice papers: Utilise practice examinations to test your knowledge and become accustomed to the kinds of questions you’ll see on exams. Mock tests that replicate the actual exam setting are available on several courses and websites.

2. How can I practice for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam? 

To prepare for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam effectively, do the following: 

1. Practical Experience: Using Salesforce is the most effective approach to learning it. Create a developer account and practice implementing different features and functionalities. 
2. Trailhead: Complete the hands-on challenges and modules on Trailhead that are relevant to the certification. These interactive exercises will help reinforce your knowledge. 
3. Sample Projects: Work on sample projects or scenarios that mimic real-world Salesforce use cases. You can use your knowledge in real-world applications by doing this. 
4. Exam practice: Use exam practice to gauge your preparedness. Decide where you are weakest, then focus your research there. 

3. What is the format of the Salesforce Associate Certification exam? 

The format of the Salesforce Associate Certification exam typically includes the following characteristics: 

1. Question types: The exam’s question types consist of multiple-choice questions with one or more correct answers. 
2. Number of Questions: The number of questions is 40.
3. Time allotted: The average exam time allotment is 70 minutes. 
4. Passing Score: The passing score is 62 %.
5. Online Proctoring: Most Salesforce certification examinations are available through online proctoring, which lets you take the test in the privacy of your own home while being watched over from a distance. 

4. How can I improve my chances of passing the Salesforce Associate Certification exam?

You’ll have a better chance of passing the Salesforce Associate Certification exam if you do the following: 

• Practical Experience: Work with Salesforce tools and functionalities in a real-world setting to gain first-hand knowledge. 
• Utilize a range of resources: Don’t depend solely on one source. Combine official documentation, online courses, practice exams, and hands-on practice. 
• Time Management: Be careful how you use your time during the exam. Consider flagging a difficult question and moving on to an easy one if you run upon one. Later, come back to the flagged inquiries. 
• Practice Exams: Take practice exams to become familiar with the format of the exam and to pinpoint the topics that require more study. 
• Review and Revise: Review your notes and materials before the exam day. Focus on key concepts and areas you find challenging.
• Read Instructions: Pay attention to instructions, especially if there are specific requirements for answering questions.