Salesforce Associate Certification Exam Guide 2024

Salesforce Associate Certification Exam Overview

Considering the massive demand for digital skills and cloud professionals, Salesforce is prepared to deliver professionals who are ready to perform diverse new roles.

If we look at the numbers in the cloud market, the requirement for digital skills is expected to rise by more than 50% by 2025. 

So, with the intention to give more options and career opportunities to the Trailblazers, Salesforce is back with a new credential – The Salesforce Associate Certification.

Related read – What is Salesforce certified associate?

This blog will guide you through the details and insights of the new job role to help you make an informed decision about Salesforce career options.

The Salesforce Associate certification exam is created for Trailblazers as an entry-level certification with knowledge and in-depth understanding of the Salesforce Customer 360 platform. On the other hand, Salesforce professional-level certification is designed for professionals with years of experience, skills, and knowledge in a specific Salesforce role. Explore the complete list of Salesforce Certifications here.

The Salesforce Associate certification does not need maintenance like the other Salesforce certifications. It requires professionals to continue learning and explore Salesforce career paths, jobs, and professional certification options. This credential assists candidates in the Salesforce ecosystem because it authenticates your skills and assists you explore which Salesforce career path you want to pursue. 

Importance of Salesforce Associate Certification

Salesforce aspirants who are just starting their Salesforce journey can expect several benefits from the Salesforce Associate Certification:-

• Having an in-depth knowledge of Salesforce is essential for multiple jobs. Now, the candidates are not obligated to be on the admin career path to gain the necessary expertise. The Salesforce certified Associate Certification fills the gap that was missing. If you are new to Salesforce and wondering about the admin career path, then check out about Salesforce admin here.
• The credential is the perfect initiative for those who desire to go deeper into the Salesforce platform but lack the depth of experience required to earn the Admin certification. The certification exam will help candidates explore Salesforce while they are engaged in their current job or studies. The Salesforce Admin certification can seem challenging to some candidates, and this certification is a step in the right direction.
• The Salesforce Certified Associate Certification cost is 75$, approximately INR 6200+ local taxes.

Prerequisites for Taking the Salesforce Associate Certification Exam

The exam is designed for beginners who cannot reach the level of Salesforce Administrator. So, there are no prerequisites for taking the Salesforce Associate exam. But as a Salesforce Certified  Associate, you should have a basic knowledge of how to solve customer data problems and connect departments using the integrated CRM platform. 

The candidate should also understand user administration, reporting, customization, sharing, and data management at a fundamental level. 

The good thing about this credential is that you don’t need technical expertise. 

Ideal Candidate for Salesforce Associate Certification

The Salesforce Associate certification is suitable for professionals with minimum of 6 months of experience in Salesforce and who want to showcase their skills in the following fields:-

• Solve business problems using the CRM platform
• Come up with solutions using Salesforce Customer 360
• Significant Salesforce Platform terms
• Foundational knowledge in the latest release of Salesforce at a basic level, like, reporting, security, sharing, gathering, and managing the data.

Exam Pattern of Salesforce Associate Certification

The Salesforce Associate Certification is the basic certification for beginners who want to start their career in Salesforce administration and development.

The exam consists of 40 questions divided into four sections:

1. 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.

2. Navigation- 28%

• Given a scenario, identify how a user can locate and access necessary information.
• Given a scenario, identify where Salesforce customization takes place.

3. 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.

4. Reports and Dashboards- 15%

• Describe reports on Salesforce.
• Describe dashboards on Salesforce.

You must score at least 62% on a 40-question test to pass the exam in 70 minutes. Exams are administered under the supervision of a proctor either in person at a testing facility or online. 

The registration fee for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam is $75. If you fail the exam, you can retake it for free.

Career Pathways After Salesforce Associate Certification

Earning the Salesforce Associate Certification marks the beginning of a promising career journey in the expansive Salesforce ecosystem. This certification not only validates your foundational knowledge of Salesforce but also opens up a myriad of career pathways. Let’s explore some of the potential career directions you can pursue post-certification, each offering unique opportunities to grow and excel within the tech industry.

1. Salesforce Administrator: Starting as a Salesforce Administrator is a common pathway for those certified as Salesforce Associates. Administrators play a crucial role in managing Salesforce systems, customizing platforms to meet business requirements, and ensuring users are maximizing the platform’s capabilities. This role serves as an excellent foundation for further specialization.
2. Salesforce Developer: For those inclined towards coding and developing custom solutions within the Salesforce platform, becoming a Salesforce Developer is an appealing next step. This role involves creating complex workflows, designing custom applications, and ensuring the technical robustness of Salesforce implementations.
3. Salesforce Analyst: Salesforce Analysts bridge the gap between business requirements and Salesforce solutions. They analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and leverage Salesforce tools to enhance efficiency and productivity. This role is ideal for individuals who excel in problem-solving and strategic planning.
4. Salesforce Consultant: Becoming a Salesforce Consultant is a viable path for individuals who have gained a solid understanding of the platform and wish to advise organizations on best practices, strategies for adoption, and optimization of Salesforce solutions. Consultants need excellent communication skills and a deep understanding of various business processes.
5. Salesforce Marketing Specialist: For those interested in leveraging Salesforce for marketing purposes, becoming a Salesforce Marketing Specialist can be a rewarding career. Specialists in this area focus on utilizing Salesforce Marketing Cloud to drive engagement, implement targeted marketing campaigns, and analyze marketing data to inform strategies.

Each of these career paths offers different challenges and opportunities for professional growth. The Salesforce ecosystem is vast, and the demand for skilled professionals across these roles continues to grow.

By starting with the Salesforce Associate Certification, you’re setting the foundation for a dynamic career in an ever-evolving field. Beyond these roles, continuous learning and certification can lead to more specialized positions, enabling you to tailor your career to your interests and strengths within the Salesforce ecosystem.

Tips to Prepare for the Salesforce Associate Certification Exam

1. The exam is designed keeping in mind the knowledge and perspective of a beginner about the Salesforce platform. So, the first step of the certification exam should be to cover the topics from Trailhead. You must be aware of the syllabus and topics of the exam according to their weightage. Keeping the format and importance of each topic in mind, test your knowledge by giving as many practice exams as possible. Analyze your performance in the practice exams and work on the topics accordingly. 
2. As a beginner, you can feel overwhelmed and alone. That is why we suggest you connect with the Trailblazer Community to connect with other learners. Also, join the saasguru Slack community to interact with seasoned Salesforce professionals and like-minded people to discuss your thoughts and concerns.
3. To get hands-on experience as a beginner, Trailhead Playground is the perfect platform to take up hands-on challenges. It will help you learn new features and customizations.
4. Join an online associate certification course to streamline your preparation and study under the guidance of accomplished professionals. Multiple resources are available online. Choose a course based on your time and requirements, and ensure that the course provides topic tests and practice exams. Topic tests are beneficial for beginners because they help strengthen each concept. 

Summing Up

The Salesforce Associate Certification is a great way to start your career with Salesforce certification. It’s vital for both newbies and experienced administrators who want to stay up to date on the latest product developments. You can also use it as an entry point into other Salesforce certifications, such as Sales Cloud Admin or Account Management Administrator, leading you toward higher-level jobs in the IT or Finance industry.

Get ready for the Salesforce Associate Certification exam; sign up with saasguru for free Salesforce Associate Certification training program, Now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the Salesforce Associate exam hard?

Passing the Salesforce Certified Associate Exam on your first try may be challenging, but it’s achievable with dedication and proper preparation. Earning the Salesforce Certified Associate Exam offers candidates a valuable opportunity to follow a clear path, allowing them to make informed decisions about continuing their careers in this field. This foundation paves the way for more advanced certifications, such as the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam, which requires in-depth knowledge and expertise.

2. How many questions are on the Salesforce Associate exam?

The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions. You will have 70 minutes to complete the exam, and the passing score is 62%.

3. How long does it take to get Salesforce Associate certification?

The time to get Salesforce Associate certification depends on your preparation and passion. There are no prerequisites to take this exam. Typically, it takes 1-2 weeks if you can spend enough time every day to prepare for the exam. You can attempt Free Salesforce Associate Course or Free Associate Bootcamp from saasguru to get rigorous training that will help you pass the certification exam on your first go. After passing the exam, you’ll receive your certification immediately.

4. Does Salesforce Associate certification expire?

Yes, Salesforce Associate certification remains active for a duration of one year. Post that period, the certification expires, and a renewal is necessary to continue holding the certified designation.

5. What is the passing score for Salesforce Associate certification?

To pass the Salesforce Associate certification, a candidate must secure a minimum of 62%.

6. How many times can you retake the Salesforce Associate exam?

There is no strict limit on the total number of times you can retake a Salesforce certification exam. However, after each failed attempt, there are waiting periods before you can retake it.