Top Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Exam Questions [Updated For 2024]

As the demand for Salesforce developers continues to grow, becoming a certified Salesforce Platform Developer 1 has become a valuable asset in the job market. The credential validates your capabilities in creating personalized applications on the Salesforce platform using Visualforce and Apex. To earn the credential, you have to clear the challenging exam that analyzes your skills and understanding in multiple fields of Salesforce development. 

Preparing for the exam can be challenging, as it requires a thorough understanding of the Salesforce platform and its development tools. One effective way to prepare is to practice answering Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification questions, which can help you identify areas where you need more study and improve your overall understanding of the concepts.

This guide will explore a collection of Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification questions to help you prepare for the exam. These questions are designed to cover a broad range of topics that are essential for passing the exam and becoming a certified Salesforce developer. We will also provide detailed explanations for each question, along with tips and tricks to help you answer them correctly. 

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Let’s begin by exploring the study material for the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Certification exam.

Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Study Material

Achieving Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification requires dedication and effort. A deep understanding of various Salesforce development concepts such as Apex, Visualforce, and SOQL is vital to successfully pass the certification exam. 

Fortunately, several study materials that cater specifically to the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification are available online, making exam preparation more accessible. These study materials come in different forms such as official Salesforce documentation, third-party courses, and Salesforce PD1 practice exams. 

It is crucial to ensure that the chosen study materials are relevant and up-to-date with the exam content as obsolete materials may not include all necessary topics.

One of the best resources for Salesforce Platform Developer 1 study material is the official Salesforce Trailhead. The platform covers all the essential topics that are included in the exam, including Apex programming, Visualforce pages, and SOQL queries. And Trailhead is regularly updated to reflect changes in the Salesforce platform. 

Sometimes professionals also include dumps in their study content for the cert prep. However, exam dumps are neither a trustworthy resource nor appropriate.

Explore our in-depth Salesforce PD 1 exam guide and take that first step towards the exam.

Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Dumps

Salesforce Platform Developer 1 dumps are essentially a collection of questions and answers that have been obtained from previous exams. They are typically created by individuals who have taken the exam and then share the questions and answers with others, often for a fee. While using these dumps may seem like a quick and easy way to pass the exam, it is important to note that they are not authorized by Salesforce and can be inaccurate or outdated.

Salesforce has a strict policy against the use of dumps, and anyone caught using them can face severe consequences, including revocation of their certification and a ban on taking any further Salesforce exams. In addition, using dumps can also harm your reputation as a developer, as it suggests that you lack the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the exam on your own.

Instead of relying on Salesforce Platform Developer 1 dumps, it is better to invest your time and effort in studying the official Salesforce documentation and other reputable study materials. These resources are built to assist aspirants in grasping the concepts and skills necessary to pass the exam, and they will prepare you much more effectively than any dump ever could. Avoid dumps; instead, take mock exams. Explore saasguru’s free PD1 mock exams here.

You can also enroll in our Salesforce PD 1 course – get personalized study plan | free mock exams | quizzes | flashcards and much more.

Explore the types of questions you will be asked in the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification exam. 

Salesforce Platform Developer 1 Certification Exam Questions and Answers

1. A custom web component searchOppCriteria helps the sales team search for opportunity records based on selected criteria. It uses the Apex controller method queryOpportunities to return a list of opportunities named oppList. Which is the correct way to return a list of opportunities oppList using the Lightning Web component properties?

a. @import(queryOpportunities, ‘$searchOppCriteria’)

oppList;

b. @wire(queryOpportunities, {searchOppCriteria: ‘$searchOppCriteria’})

oppList;

c. @api(queryOpportunities, {searchOppCriteria: ‘$searchOppCriteria’})

oppList;

d. @wire(queryOpportunities, ‘$searchOppCriteria’)

oppList

Answer: b

Explanation: Lightning web components use a reactive wire service to read Salesforce data.

Use @wire in a component’s JavaScript class to specify a Lightning Data Service wire adapter. 

The wire adapter defines the data shape that the wire service provisions in an immutable stream.

2. What are the different ways a developer can include the SVG file in custom web components?

Choose three answers.

a. Use SVG as a static resource file.

b. Use CDN to get the new logo from the server using script.

c. Use getter in the web component’s javascript file to include the static resource by importing it.

d. In the HTML template of the web component, reference the getter.

e. Create an SVG file in the aura component and use it directly in the web component.

Answer: c and d

Explanation:You can add an SVG resource to your component in two ways. Add it directly to your component’s HTML template. Upload the SVG resource as a static resource and import it into your component’s JavaScript file. 

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based image format that lets you define lines, curves, shapes, and text.

3. Which of the following resources can be accessed from a Lightning Web component?

Choose three answers.

a. Javascript web components

b. JS external libraries

c. Aura components

d. Static resources

e. SVG files

Answer: b, d, and e

Explanation: Lightning components can access global Salesforce values, such as labels, resources, and users.

4. The development team is using the Lightning message service to send data between multiple Lightning Web components. Fields are used to send a payload from one component to another. Where should the fields be defined, and how?

a. Fields should be defined in meta XML file(configuration file) and below syntax is to be used:

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD1</fieldName>

<description>FIELD1</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD2</fieldName>

<description>FIELD2</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

b. Fields should be defined in JS file and below syntax is to be used:

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD1</fieldName>

<description>FIELD1</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD2</fieldName>

<description>FIELD2</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

c. Fields should be defined in HTML file and below syntax is to be used:

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD1</fieldName>

<description>FIELD1</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

<lightningMessageFields>

<fieldName>FIELD2</fieldName>

<description>FIELD2</description>

 </lightningMessageFields>

d. Fields should be defined in meta XML file(configuration file) and below syntax is to be used:

<lightningMessageField>

<fieldName>FIELD1</fieldName>

<description>FIELD1</description>

 </lightningMessageField>

<lightningMessageField>

<fieldName>FIELD2</fieldName>

<description>FIELD2</description>

 </lightningMessageField>

Answer: a

Explanation: lightning:messageChannel provides access to the Lightning Message Service API. Lightning Message Service lets you publish and subscribe to messages across the DOM and between Aura, Visualforce, and Lightning Web Components.

The payload to communicate is defined in config file and below is the syntax of defining the field names with description:

<lightningMessageFields>   

<fieldName>FIELD1</fieldName>

<description>FIELD1</description>

</lightningMessageFields>

5. A Lightning Web component has been created, which embeds an analytics dashboard. The sales team would like to use this component on their Org home page. Which “target” property should be added to the configuration file to make it available for the home page?

a. lightning__AppPage

b. lightning__RecordPage

c. lightning__HomePage

d. lightning__page

Answer: c

Explanation: lightning__HomePage enables a component to be used on a Home page in Lightning App Builder.

6. A developer has created a custom web component, searchLeadsCriteria, for the sales team to search for lead records based on selected criteria. It uses the Apex controller method, queryLeads, to return a list of leads named leadList that meet the criteria.
Which is the correct way to return a list of leads using the Lightning web component properties?

a. @import(queryLeads, ‘$searchLeadsCriteria’)

leadList;

b. @wire(queryLeads, {searchLeadsCriteria: ‘$searchLeadsCriteria’})

leadList;

c. @api(queryLeads, {searchLeadsCriteria: ‘$searchLeadsCriteria’})

leadList;

d. @wire(queryLeads, ‘$searchLeadsCriteria’)

leadList;

Answer: b

Explanation: Lightning web components use a reactive wire service to read Salesforce data.

Use @wire in a component’s JavaScript class to specify a Lightning Data Service wire adapter. 

The wire adapter defines the data shape that the wire service provisions in an immutable stream.

7. A Lightning Web component uses a lightning message channel named “dataChannel” to send data to other components. This component will publish the data to the channel so that other components can subscribe to this channel. Which is the correct way to import the channel named “dataChannel” on the client-side controller js file?

a. import dataChannel from ‘@Salesforce/messageChannel/dataChannel__c’;

b. export dataChannel from ‘@Salesforce/messageChannel/dataChannel__c’;

c. import dataChannel from ‘@Salesforce/messageChannel/dataChannel’;

d. import dataChannel from ‘@Salesforce/service/dataChannel__c’;

Answer: a

Explanation: Lightning message service can be used to publish data to a channel that can be subscribed by another subscriber (component, Visualforce pages). We import the channel using the below syntax:

import channelName from ‘@Salesforce/messageChannel/channelReference’;

8. Which tag allows developers to reuse the markup of an existing Visualforce page in another Visualforce page?

a. Developer should use the <apex:include> tag.

b. Developer should use the <apex:reuse> tag.

c. Developer should use the <apex:actionSupport> tag.

d. Developer should use the <apex:referencePage> tag.

Answer: a

Explanation: We should use the <apex:include> tag when we want to duplicate the entire content of another page without making any changes. 

We can use this technique to reference existing markup that will be used the same way in several locations.

For example: To show content of already existing visualforce page “”apexIncludeTemplate”” in the below page, use the tag as below:

<apex:page controller=””apexIncludeExample””>

    <apex:include pageName=””apexIncludeTemplate””/>

    <apex:outputText id=””greeting”” rendered=””{!showGreeting}””>

</apex:page>

9. Which layout is selected by default when creating a flow in the Flow Builder?

a. Free Form

b. Auto-Layout

c. Dependent Layout

d. Free Layout

Answer: b

Explanation: In auto-layout, Flow Builder automatically creates connectors when an element is added and removes them when an element is deleted.

Auto-layout is selected by default while creating flows in Flow Builder.

10. A developer has enabled the Einstein search feature for advanced search. However, the users cannot view some required fields in search results. What should be configured to fix this issue?

a. Search Layout

b. Page Layout

c. Lightning Pages

d. Einstein Search Settings

Answer: a

Explanation: Search layouts let you determine what users see when Einstein Search returns results. You can create search layouts for standard and custom objects for each unique user profile, ensuring the layout shows users what’s most relevant to them.

The fields you include in a search layout determine:

1. Fields that appear as the secondary field in instant results.
2. Fields shown in a record preview in instant results.
3. Fields users can sort results by.
4. Fields shown in a recommended result.
5. Fields shown as columns on the search results page.
6. Fields users can filter on to narrow what’s shown on the search results page.

11. How do you use the Lightning Data Service to read and write data to Salesforce?

a. By using the @lwc/wire adapter in a Lightning Web Component.

b. By invoking SOQL queries directly from the component.

c. By directly editing Salesforce records from the Lightning component.

d. By using the @api property to bind record data in a Lightning Web Component.

Answer: a

Explanation: Lightning Data Service (LDS) provides components with a way to read Salesforce data without requiring Apex code. You use the @wire decorator to wire an adapter to a property or function.

12. How do you use Apex to create custom validation rules?

a. By creating a trigger and throwing a custom exception when data doesn’t meet criteria.

b. By creating an Apex class with a method returning boolean.

c. By writing SOQL queries to validate record data.

d. By configuring a Validation Rule in Setup.

Answer: a

Explanation: Apex triggers can be used to implement custom validation logic. If the criteria of the validation are not met, you can throw a custom exception (addError method) that stops the process and displays an error message to the user.

13. How do you use the SOQL query language to retrieve data from Salesforce?

a. By writing JavaScript code in Lightning Web Components.

b. By using the SELECT statement followed by the fields and object names.

c. By using DML operations like INSERT and UPDATE.

d. By using the @api decorator in a Lightning Web Component.

Answer: b

Explanation: SOQL, or Salesforce Object Query Language, is used to retrieve data from Salesforce objects. You use the SELECT statement, followed by the fields you want to retrieve and the FROM keyword, followed by the object name. For instance: SELECT Name, Id FROM Account.

14. How would you go about creating a many-to-many relationship between objects in Salesforce?

a. By creating a direct lookup relationship between the two objects.

b. By creating a master-detail relationship on both objects.

c. By creating a junction object that has master-detail relationships to both objects.

d. By using formula fields on both objects to reference each other.

Answer: c

Explanation: A many-to-many relationship between two objects in Salesforce is achieved using a third object called a junction object. The junction object has master-detail relationships with both of the original objects, effectively linking them together. This allows one record in the first object to be related to multiple records in the second object, and vice-versa.

15. How do you manage security and access to custom objects and fields in Salesforce?

a. By using Page Layouts to hide or display fields.

b. By configuring Field Level Security and Profiles.

c. By writing Apex triggers to restrict data access.

d. By using Visualforce pages to display custom object data.

Answer: b

Explanation: Security and access for custom objects and fields in Salesforce are primarily managed using Profiles and Permission Sets. Field Level Security (FLS) determines who can see and edit individual fields, while Profile settings determine CRUD permissions (Create, Read, Update, Delete) for objects. While Page Layouts do determine which fields are displayed on a record page, they don’t restrict a user’s ability to see or edit the field’s data in other ways (e.g., API, reports, etc.).

16. Which statement accurately describes a best practice for test classes in Apex?

a. Test classes should call the System.debug method to output the test results.

b. Test classes should use hard-coded IDs to ensure consistency in test execution.

c. Test classes should rely on existing data in the Salesforce org for validation.

d. Test classes should use the Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() methods to define test scope and execution context.

Answer: d

Explanation: In Apex, the Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() methods are used to demarcate a specific block of code as a test, allowing for more accurate simulation of governor limits in a test context. These methods also ensure that asynchronous processes, such as future calls or batch jobs, are executed before the test method completes. This is a best practice for writing test classes in Apex, as it provides a clear scope for the test execution and helps manage governor limits effectively.

17. What would be the appropriate relationship to use when designing a model where a Custom_Object__c needs to relate to multiple Parent_Object__c records?

a. Master-Detail Relationship

b. Lookup Relationship

c. Many-to-Many Relationship using a Junction Object

d. Hierarchical Relationship

Answer: c

Explanation: In Salesforce data modeling, when you need to establish a many-to-many relationship, a Junction Object is used. This object is related to two parent objects through two master-detail relationships, allowing each Custom_Object__c to associate with multiple Parent_Object__c records and vice versa. A hierarchical relationship is a special type of lookup relationship for user records, and it doesn’t apply to this scenario. The master-detail and standard lookup relationships only cater to one-to-many relationships.

18. When creating a Visualforce page that requires a custom controller, which scenario necessitates the use of a custom controller over a standard controller with extensions?

a. When the page needs to perform complex business logic not related to a specific Salesforce object.

b. When the page needs to incorporate additional methods for existing object actions.

c. When the page needs to display related list data from a parent object.

d. When the page needs to override standard buttons with custom behavior.

Answer: a

Explanation: A custom controller is required when you need to write complex business logic that isn’t necessarily tied to a specific standard or custom Salesforce object. Custom controllers provide complete control over the page’s logic, whereas a standard controller with extensions is used to enhance or add functionality to the standard controller’s actions for a particular object. Displaying related lists or overriding standard button behavior can be achieved with extensions to standard controllers.

Summing Up

Becoming a Salesforce Platform Developer 1 is a challenging task that requires extensive knowledge and understanding of various Salesforce development concepts. Utilizing study materials that cater to the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification can make the process of exam preparation more manageable and accessible. Fast-track your exam prep with our Salesforce Platform Developer 1 training with capstone project.

It is crucial to select relevant and up-to-date study materials such as official Salesforce documentation, third-party training courses, and practice exams to ensure that you are fully prepared for the certification exam. With the right study materials and dedication, passing the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification exam is achievable and can help advance your career as a Salesforce developer.

To kickstart your Salesforce PD1 cert prep journey, sign up on saasguru today!