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Cert++

  1. Home
  2. Study Resources
  3. Platform App Builder
Resource Pack
·Study Checklist

Platform App Builder

Firstly, congrats on passing the Platform Administrator exam! If you haven't done so yet, go work on that study guide instead of this one. While Admin isn't a strict pre-requisite, the PAB exam is often considered the Admin 1.5 exam, which covers more declarative topics than the Admin exam, and serves as an introductory bridge between the Admin and Developer experience in Salesforce.

4-Step Path to Passing

  1. 1
    Complete the
    App Builder Trailmix
    Start with the official Salesforce prep trail and complete each module hands-on in a playground org. If you have limited actual Salesforce experience, you should put extra effort into the hands-on exercises and projects.
  2. 2
    Look at the
    Study Checklist
    Every concept you need to know for your exam, available for free to check off as you learn.
  3. 3
    Attempt
    Practice Exams
    Use practice exams to identify weak domains and refine your study plan before booking your real exam. I recommend my own practice exams, but I have linked other options in the Study Resources section below. These are the best indicators for how you should expect to do on the real exam.
  4. 4
    Schedule Your Exam
    Book your exam once your scores are stable and your weak topics are consistently improving. There is no need to schedule your exam in advance. You should schedule your exam with short notice when you are ready.

Core Resources

  • Cert++ Practice Exam (1 free exam per cert, then paid)

    Free practice questions for the Platform App Builder exam, with detailed explanations. $10/mo for access to all questions, features, and certifications.

    certplusplus.com

  • Daily Certle Game (3 free questions per day)

    Practice your Salesforce certification knowledge daily with a challenge inspired by Wordle. Topics might not perfectly align with your preferred exam, but there's a lot of overlap between the certs.

    certplusplus.com

  • Focus on Force (Paid)

    $24 per cert for a year-long license. The website is very slow, but the content is generally solid for beginner certifications.

    focusonforce.com

  • App Builder Trailmix (~65 hours)

    Salesforce's curated collection of trails and modules to prepare for the Platform App Builder exam.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Study for the Platform App Builder Exam

    Trailhead trail with flashcards, scenarios, and interactive study tools for the exam.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Platform App Builder Exam Guide

    The official exam blueprint from Salesforce with the full list of objectives.

    help.salesforce.com

  • Cert++ Discord

    The Cert++ community discord for Salesforce professionals. Exam prep, resource sharing, study groups, and more. Free and open to all.

    discord.gg

  • SFXD Discord

    Large Salesforce community discord server with channels for admin topics, career advice, and technical help.

    discord.gg

  • r/salesforce

    Salesforce subreddit for discussions, career questions, certification tips, and community support.

    reddit.com

  • Trailblazer Community

    Connect with other Salesforce learners for peer support, mentoring, and study groups.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Salesforce Certification Score Calculator

    Check your exam score based on section results. Estimates your total score from category percentages (community-maintained third-party tool).

    scuvanov.github.io

Exam Overview

Questions

65

60 scored + 5 unscored

Duration

105 min

1 hour 45 minutes

To Pass

63%

Minimum Score

Question Format

The exam focuses on building scalable declarative apps, including data modeling, business logic, app security, analytics, and deployment patterns. It is often seen as a bridge between the Platform Developer and Platform Administrator exams, focusing on the declarative backend side of the platform.

Scored

92%

60questions

Unscored

8%

5questions

Exam Details

Pricing

$200 registration · $100 retake

Delivery

Online proctored or at a testing center

Experience

6+ months recommended

Prerequisites

No prerequisites required

Exam Topics

Each topic section shows the topic weight, learning objectives, and links to study resources.

Salesforce Fundamentals23%

Declarative vs. programmatic customization boundaries, AppExchange, object/record/field access, sharing solutions, reports and dashboards, mobile experience, and Chatter.

  • Given a scenario, identify the boundaries of declarative customization and the use cases for programmatic customization.
  • Identify common scenarios for extending an org using the AppExchange.
  • Apply features and capabilities available to restrict and extend object, record, and field access.
  • Given a set of business requirements, determine the appropriate sharing solution.
  • Identify the features and capabilities available when creating reports, report types, and dashboards.
  • Given a set of requirements, determine the appropriate global, object-specific actions and layouts to optimize the Salesforce mobile user experience.
  • Describe the customizations and use cases for Chatter.

Resources

  • Superbadge: User Access Fundamentals

    Hands-on superbadge covering profiles, permission sets, org-wide defaults, and sharing rules.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Keep Data Secure in a Recruiting App (Project)

    Hands-on project: configure profiles, field-level security, sharing rules, and role hierarchy.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Cert Prep: Fundamentals and User Interface

    Official cert prep module covering declarative vs. programmatic boundaries, security, and UI fundamentals.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Platform Development Basics

    When to use declarative tools vs. code, and how the platform supports both approaches.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • AppExchange Solutions

    Discovering, evaluating, and installing AppExchange solutions for your org.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Data Security

    Org-wide defaults, object-level and record-level access controls, sharing rules, and role hierarchy.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Permission Set Groups

    Permission set groups, muting, and bundling permissions for flexible object and record access management.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Reports & Dashboards for Lightning Experience

    Report builder, filters, charts, custom report types, and dashboard creation in Lightning.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Salesforce Mobile App Customization

    Customizing mobile navigation, global quick actions, and object-specific quick actions.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Lightning Customization

    Quick actions, compact layouts, custom buttons and links, and page layout customization.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Chatter Administration

    Enabling Chatter, managing feeds and groups, approvals from feeds, and adoption strategies.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Salesforce Mobile App Rollout

    Planning and executing a Salesforce mobile app rollout for your organization.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • User Management

    User creation, profiles, permission sets, and controlling what users can access.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

Data Modeling and Management22%

Data models, relationship types (lookup, master-detail, many-to-many), field data types, Schema Builder, and data import/export with external data sources.

  • Given a scenario, determine the appropriate data model.
  • Given a scenario, explain the capabilities of the various relationship types and the implications of each on record access, user interface, and reporting.
  • Given a scenario, determine the considerations when selecting or changing a field data type.
  • Explain the capabilities and considerations of the Schema Builder.
  • Given a scenario, determine the options and considerations when importing and exporting data, including the capabilities of external data sources.

Resources

  • Quick Start: Salesforce Connect (Project)

    External data sources, External Objects, and accessing data outside Salesforce via OData.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Build a Data Model for a Recruiting App (Project)

    Hands-on project: create custom objects, fields, relationships, and junction objects.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Import and Export with Data Management Tools (Project)

    Hands-on project: practice using Data Import Wizard and Data Loader.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Build an Event Registration App (Project)

    Hands-on project: build a data model, import data, and add automation for an event app.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Object Relationships

    Hands-on superbadge testing lookup, master-detail, and many-to-many relationship skills.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Data Modeling

    Objects, fields, relationships (lookup vs. master-detail), and Schema Builder.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Cert Prep: Data Modeling and App Deployment

    Official cert prep covering data modeling, relationships, import/export, and deployment.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Data Management

    Data Import Wizard, Data Loader, duplicate management, and data quality tools.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Data Quality

    Assessing and improving data quality with validation, duplicate rules, and matching rules.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Duplicate Management

    Configuring duplicate rules and matching rules to maintain clean data.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

Business Logic and Process Automation28%

Formula fields, roll-up summary fields, validation rules, approval processes, Flow Builder (screen flows, record-triggered flows, autolaunched flows, scheduled flows), and automation best practices.

  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the use of formula fields to meet stated business requirements.
  • Given a scenario, determine the capabilities, use cases, and implications of roll-up summary fields.
  • Given a scenario, demonstrate the use of validation rules to meet stated business requirements.
  • Given a scenario, determine the capabilities and use cases for approval processes.
  • Given a scenario, determine the tool or action needed to meet business requirements.
  • Given a set of business requirements, recommend a solution to automate business processes while avoiding errors in automation.

Resources

  • Improve Data Quality for a Recruiting App (Project)

    Hands-on project: create formula fields, roll-up summaries, and validation rules.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Add Business Logic to a Travel Approval App (Project)

    Hands-on project: build formulas, validation rules, roll-ups, and an approval process.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Build a Discount Approval Process (Project)

    Hands-on project: create a multi-step discount approval process end to end.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Automate Business Processes for a Recruiting App (Project)

    Hands-on project: build flows and an approval process for a recruiting application.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Formulas

    Hands-on superbadge testing formula field creation and cross-object formula skills.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Flow Fundamentals

    Hands-on superbadge covering core Flow Builder skills including triggers and screen flows.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Data Quality and Validation

    Hands-on superbadge on validation rules, duplicate rules, and data quality enforcement.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Approval Process Management

    Hands-on superbadge testing approval process configuration and management skills.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Superbadge: Record-Triggered Flow

    Hands-on superbadge testing record-triggered flow design, before-save vs. after-save, and automation patterns.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Formulas and Validations

    Formula fields, cross-object formulas, roll-up summary fields, and validation rules.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Validation Rules

    Creating validation rules, best practices, and bypassing rules when needed.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Quick Data Insights with Formulas

    Getting started with formulas and creating formula fields for quick data insights.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Approve Records with Approval Processes

    Building approval processes with entry criteria, approvers, and approval/rejection actions.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Flow Builder Basics

    Building screen flows, record-triggered flows, and autolaunched flows with Flow Builder.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Record-Triggered Flows

    Triggered flows, before-save vs. after-save patterns, and the Flow Trigger Explorer.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Screen Flows

    Building interactive screen flows to collect user input and automate processes.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Autolaunched and Scheduled Flows

    Building autolaunched flows, scheduling flows, and running flows from custom buttons.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Flow Implementation (Part 1)

    Flow limits, bulkification, and performance best practices for production flows.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Flow Implementation (Part 2)

    Debugging flows, error handling with fault paths, and deploying flows to production.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Cert Prep: Business Logic and Automation

    Official cert prep reviewing formulas, roll-ups, validation rules, and automation tools.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

User Interface17%

UI customization options, custom buttons/links/actions, Lightning App Builder, Dynamic Forms, and incorporating custom Lightning components declaratively and programmatically.

  • Describe the user interface customization options.
  • Demonstrate the capabilities and use cases for custom buttons, links, and actions.
  • Given a scenario, determine the declarative options available for incorporating Lightning components in an application.
  • Describe the programmatic customizations available for incorporating custom Lightning components in an application.

Resources

  • Quick Start: Dynamic Forms (Project)

    Hands-on project: upgrade page layouts to Dynamic Forms with field-level visibility rules.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Quick Start: Lightning App Builder (Project)

    Hands-on project: create your first Lightning page with the Lightning App Builder.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Customize the UI for a Recruiting App (Project)

    Hands-on project: create tabs, record types, page layouts, and quick actions.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Customize a Salesforce Object (Project)

    Hands-on project: customize record pages, create record types, and configure page layouts.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Lightning App Builder

    Creating Lightning pages, Dynamic Forms, component visibility rules, and custom component placement.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • App Customization Lite

    Page layouts, actions in Lightning Experience, and migrating Classic customizations.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Cert Prep: Fundamentals and User Interface

    Official cert prep covering UI customization, Lightning App Builder, and custom components.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Visualforce & Lightning Experience

    Using Visualforce pages in Lightning Experience and embedding them in Lightning pages.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Platform App Builder Certification Maintenance for Winter '25

    Cert maintenance module with refreshed UI and Lightning component content for the latest exam.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

App Deployment10%

Application lifecycle management, sandbox types, change sets, managed and unmanaged packages, and deployment planning.

  • Given a set of business requirements, recommend a solution for key milestones and considerations when managing the application lifecycle and various types of sandboxes.
  • Given a use case, demonstrate knowledge, viability, and troubleshooting when using change sets.
  • Describe the use cases and considerations when using unmanaged and managed packages.
  • Given a scenario, determine the appropriate deployment plan.

Resources

  • Cert Prep: App Deployment

    Official cert prep covering sandbox types, change sets, packages, and deployment planning.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Salesforce Sandboxes: Quick Look

    Sandbox types (Developer, Developer Pro, Partial Copy, Full) and when to use each.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • DevOps Center: Quick Look

    DevOps Center as the modern alternative to change sets for deployment management.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Unlocked Packages for Customers

    Organizing metadata into unlocked packages for modular deployment.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • AppExchange Basics

    Finding, evaluating, and installing managed and unmanaged packages from AppExchange.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Package Development Readiness

    Auditing org customizations and preparing metadata for package-based deployment.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

  • Developer Environments

    Sandboxes, scratch orgs, and choosing the right development environment.

    trailhead.salesforce.com

Have suggestions for this resource pack?

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