Salesforce Admin Certification [Exam Guide, Cost & Practice Test]

A Salesforce Admin job is an excellent place to start or enrich your career. To stand out from the competition, consider becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator. To do that, you have to pass a 60-question skill proficiency exam that can seem overwhelming and complex.

With some effort, you can easily pass the exam and become a Salesforce Certified Administrator.

Leveraging your certification can lead to promotions and job offers, and it can help you become an asset in your company. If you use all the resources available, practice good study habits, and have a test-taking strategy, you can ace the exam.

Table of Contents

• Prepare for the Salesforce Admin Certification Exam
• Common Salesforce Admin Certification Exam Questions
• Benefits of Salesforce Admin Certification
• What does the Salesforce Admin Certification Exam Look Like?

Prepare for the Salesforce Admin Certification Exam

Getting ready for the Salesforce Admin Certification requires the right mix of resources, strategy, and hands-on practice. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare effectively:

• Start with Salesforce Trailhead
  Use Salesforce Trailhead, Salesforce’s free, official learning platform. Explore the Administrator Certification Trail for guided modules, hands-on projects, and quizzes that align with the exam topics.

• Review the Official Exam Guide
  Download the Salesforce Certified Administrator Exam Guide to understand the key objectives, weight of each topic, and question format. Focus your study around these outlined areas.

• Create a Study Schedule
  Break your preparation into weekly goals. Dedicate specific days to study each exam topic, and leave time at the end for full-length practice tests and review.

• Track Your Progress
  Use Trailhead’s built-in progress tracker or a personal checklist to monitor your completion of relevant modules and identify knowledge gaps.

• Gain Practical Experience
  Set up a free Salesforce Developer Org to practice building objects, workflows, reports, and dashboards. Hands-on experience reinforces what you learn and prepares you for scenario-based questions.

• Join the Salesforce Community
  Participate in forums like the Trailblazer Community, where you can ask questions, share study tips, and learn from others preparing for the exam.

• Use Practice Exams
  Take official and third-party practice tests to simulate the exam experience. This helps assess your readiness and builds confidence.

Best Salesforce Admin Certification Course for You

There are several great options to help you prepare for the Salesforce Admin Certification—each catering to different learning styles, budgets, and experience levels. While Salesforce Trailhead is the best starting point (and free), paid platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer more structured, instructor-led experiences.

Start with free resources, then explore paid options if you need deeper guidance or structured timelines.

Recommendation: Start with Trailhead’s Administrator Certification learning path to get a free, hands-on foundation. Once comfortable, consider supplementing with a paid course for deeper explanations and practice tests.

Common Salesforce Admin Certification Exam Questions

Below is a PDF with a curated list of 30+ frequently asked questions that reflect the style, format, and focus areas of the Salesforce Administrator Certification Exam. Use them to assess your readiness before taking a full-length practice test.

📄 Download PDF: Salesforce Admin Practice Questions & Answers

Here are some example questions you can expect to find in the practice question guide above:

1. What type of relationship is a custom object on the detail side of a relationship?
A. Lookup Relationship
B. Master-Detail Relationship
C. Hierarchical Relationship
D. Many-to-Many Relationship

2. Which report format allows grouping both rows and columns?
A. Tabular
B. Summary
C. Matrix
D. Joined

3. What determines whether a user can create a record in an object?
A. Profile settings
B. Permission sets
C. Role hierarchy
D. Organization-wide defaults

4. What does a page layout control?
A. The data access for a record
B. The fields and related lists visible to users
C. The record ownership
D. Workflow rules

5. When are workflow rules evaluated?
A. Before a record is saved
B. After a record is saved
C. On a schedule only
D. Only during data export

Want to test your knowledge?

Take this free practice quiz by Trailhead. Or try a Udemy Admin Certification Practice Test for a more exam-like experience.

Benefits of Salesforce Admin Certification

Becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator is more than just a resume upgrade—it can be a game-changer for your career. As the demand for cloud-based CRM solutions continues to rise, Salesforce Admins are seeing stronger job prospects, higher pay, and more flexibility than ever before.

Here are some of the top benefits of earning your certification:

• Higher Earning Potential
  Salesforce-certified professionals earn significantly more. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a Salesforce Admin is $91,671, with many certified admins surpassing $100,000 annually.

• Fast-Growing Career Path
  Salesforce reports that demand for Admin roles is growing at over 400% year-over-year, making it one of the fastest-growing tech jobs.

• Remote and Flexible Opportunities
  Many Salesforce Admin roles are remote-friendly, allowing you to work from anywhere while supporting global teams.

• Greater Job Security
  With 99 of the Fortune 100 companies using Salesforce, Admins with verified skills are in high demand and less likely to face job instability.

• Career Advancement & Promotions
  Certification can fast-track your path to roles like Business Analyst, Salesforce Consultant, or Platform App Builder.

• Recognition and Credibility
  A Salesforce certification validates your knowledge and makes you stand out to employers, hiring managers, and clients.

By earning your Salesforce Admin Certification, you're not just proving your skills—you're opening doors to higher-paying roles and long-term career growth in one of the most in-demand platforms in tech.

Ideal Candidate Requirements

The Salesforce Admin Certification is designed for a wide range of professionals looking to launch, pivot, or advance their careers in the Salesforce ecosystem. Whether you're new to Salesforce or looking to validate years of hands-on experience, this certification is a powerful stepping stone.

Who should consider becoming a Salesforce Certified Administrator?

• Career Changers & Newcomers
  If you’re transitioning into tech, this entry-level cert is a great way to break into the industry—no coding required.

• Accidental Admins
  Many professionals find themselves managing Salesforce as part of another role. Certification helps formalize that experience and boost confidence.

• Current Admins Without Certification
  Even seasoned admins benefit from the credential—it increases credibility, proves competency, and often leads to promotions.

• Students & Recent Grads
  Stand out in a crowded job market by proving your skills on one of the most in-demand platforms used by top global companies.

Why it matters:

• Builds confidence in system configuration, automation, and user management

• Serves as a foundation for advanced Salesforce roles and certifications (e.g., Advanced Admin, Platform App Builder)

• Unlocks access to a global community of Salesforce professionals and employers

"I started as an ‘accidental admin’ and passed the certification on my first try. That one step helped me land a new job with a 40% salary increase."
— Laura C., Salesforce Certified Admin

This certification is more than a title—it’s a launchpad for real career outcomes.

What Does the Salesforce Admin Certification Exam Look Like?

The Salesforce Certified Administrator exam is designed to assess your ability to manage and configure Salesforce effectively. It’s the first and most essential step into the Salesforce ecosystem—and it sets the stage for more advanced certifications down the road.

Exam Overview

• Number of Questions: 60

• Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-select (some scenario-based)

• Time Limit: 105 minutes

• Passing Score: 65%

• Cost: $200 USD (plus applicable taxes); retake fee is $100

• Delivery Method: Online proctored or in-person at a testing center

• Prerequisites: None

Domains Covered

The exam measures your knowledge across the following key topic areas.

Exam Environment

• Online Proctored: Taken remotely via your computer, monitored by a live proctor. Requires a quiet space, webcam, and secure internet connection.

• Test Center: Offered at designated testing facilities with standard exam protocols.

Best Exam Strategy

• Review the official Exam Guide for detailed objectives and weighting.

• Use Salesforce Trailhead and practice tests to prepare for each domain.

• Take the exam within a single Salesforce release cycle (Spring, Summer, Winter) to avoid content shifts.

• Simulate real exam conditions with timed quizzes and no external resources to build focus and endurance.

Passing this exam not only proves your foundational knowledge but also unlocks eligibility for advanced certifications like Salesforce Advanced Administrator, Platform App Builder, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does a Salesforce Admin Certification cost?

The Salesforce Certified Administrator exam costs $200 USD, with a $100 USD fee for each retake. Taxes may apply based on your location.

Is the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam hard?

The exam is moderately challenging, especially for beginners. It tests both your knowledge of Salesforce functionality and your ability to apply it to real-world scenarios. With proper preparation—using Trailhead, practice tests, and hands-on experience—you can pass confidently.

What is the average salary with a Salesforce Admin certification?

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a Salesforce Admin in the U.S. is $91,671/year, with certified professionals often earning $10K–$20K more annually.

How do you register for the Salesforce Admin Certification exam?

Register through Webassessor, Salesforce’s official testing platform. You'll need a Salesforce account to log in, schedule your test, and select whether to take it online or at a test center.

What is the most helpful tool to learn for the exam?

Salesforce Trailhead is the most helpful and widely recommended tool. It offers free, guided learning paths, hands-on challenges, and modules aligned with the Admin exam topics.

How much time do you need to prepare for the exam?

Most candidates spend 4 to 8 weeks preparing, depending on prior experience. Studying 1–2 hours per day consistently is a good benchmark.

How many times can you take the Salesforce Admin exam?

You can retake the exam as many times as needed, but you'll have to pay the $100 retake fee each time. It's wise to review weak areas before reattempting.

What is the pass rate for the Salesforce Admin exam?

While Salesforce doesn’t officially publish a pass rate, it’s estimated that 40–50% of first-time test-takers pass. Preparation significantly improves your odds.

How to maintain the Salesforce Admin Certification?

Salesforce certifications must be maintained with free maintenance modules released three times a year (Spring, Summer, Winter) on Trailhead. You must complete the modules by the deadline to keep your cert active.