How I Confidently Passed the Salesforce Administrator Exam in less than 3 Months (While Working Full-Time)

Starting your journey to becoming a Certified Salesforce Administrator can seem like a daunting task. You first log in to Trailhead and are quickly overwhelmed with modules, trails, trailmixes, and superbadges all curated for Trailblazers like you to master the complex and dynamic living organism that is Salesforce. Without clear direction, the possibility of making any sort of headway towards obtaining your Administrator Certification seems futile. Luckily for you, I successfully survived and, better yet, THRIVED in my journey to passing the exam confidently. I also did so in less than three months while working full-time. Here are my tips on how I hunkered down and conquered the exam:

1. First of all, the one and only trailmix I committed my time to was Salesforce's own "Prepare for your Salesforce Administrator Credential" trailmix on Trailhead. My study plan was limited to 10-15 hours a week since I was working full-time. I studied 1-2 hours in the morning before work when possible and fully utilized my free weekends for long focused study sessions.

A quick word of caution: it is very easy to turn your brain off and go through the motions on Trailhead, completing the modules rapidly and earning badges. DO NOT DO THIS. You will never comprehend what you actually did and may have to start over to re-learn the concepts.

I went through each module with purpose and intention to absorb everything I was learning. In the beginning I went through step-by-step following each instruction on how to implement changes in my Salesforce sandbox. As I got further along, I challenged myself to read the requirements of the scenario and work from memory on the steps I should take to perform the task. Only once I got stuck would I read through the instructions for the module and follow through with guidance. This method ensured I was well-prepared to complete the Superbadges. When completing Superbadges, it may be tempting to Google for solutions. There are definitely solutions out there, however, using them will only disservice you from comprehending the material and passing the exam. Superbadges are the best way to hone your knowledge, utilize hands-on practice, and build confidence in implementing changes to your Salesforce practice org. I completed them without pressuring myself about time and while only using Salesforce help articles if I got stuck.

2. My next helpful strategy was watching Caitlin Nguyen's trailhead live videos to solidify concepts and fill gaps in my knowledge that I may have missed from doing the modules. Caitlin is very good at breaking down concepts and giving helpful tips specific to passing the Admin exam. Her mnemonics helped me answer several questions on the practice exams and the actual certification exam.

3. Once I felt I had a good base knowledge to work from, I utilized the Focus on Force practice tests to test myself and gauge were there was room for improvement. These practice tests came in a package deal (14 topic exams, 6 full-length timed practice exams and a randomized 400 question bank exam) that were worth well-beyond the $20 I spent. Because I had committed so much time on Trailhead learning, I felt confident I knew the fundamentals of Salesforce and choose not to use the Focus on Force study guide. I found the practice tests were sufficient for me to adequately prepare for the exam. The practice tests break down each question and explain which choice is optimal versus wrong or suboptimal. There are also links to the Salesforce help articles that verify the answers. I took my time with those exams and studied the help articles to the point that I could explain why the answer was right and why the other answers were wrong.

A quick word of caution: Be careful. It is easy to study the practice tests too much. You may find yourself recognizing the answers rather than truly knowing the material. If you catch yourself doing this, move on to other methods of practice listed below.

4.? This next step in my study journey was critical. I watched Salesforce's "Who sees what" series on Youtube which helped me fully understand object, record, and field level security. It would be impossible to pass the certification exam without fully comprehending the nuances of security and access within Salesforce. Just about every question on the exam touches this topic in some way. Be prepared by studying it well.

5. For topics that I just needed more practice with (tricky automation tools like process builder, workflow rules and flows...) I used certifyCRM.com. They have a free admin study course that includes detailed study articles, flashcards, and help videos. Due to their disclaimer that their content may be outdated, I chose not to rely too heavily on their material or practice tests.

6. Lastly, the week of the exam I took Salesforce's official practice test. The practice test breaks down how you score in each area and let's you see where you are still weak. In my last few days before the exam I focused my study efforts on those weak areas and passed!

The Salesforce Administrator exam should not be taken light-heartedly. The complex, often misleading scenario-based questions command a focused, diversely knowledge-d professional to master. I hope outlining my approach on how I prepared for this exam gives you a clear path to acing it confidently!

GOOD LUCK TRAILBLAZER!