The ADM-201 certification exam tests your knowledge and practical skills in Salesforce administration. Below are tailored learning strategies and exam techniques based on the exam's key content areas.

Effective Study Methods

1. Align Study with Exam Content

Break your study sessions into the nine core topics:

1. Getting Around the App
2. Getting Your Organization Ready for Users
3. Setting Up and Managing Users
4. Security and Data Access
5. Customization: Fields
6. Managing Data
7. Reports and Dashboards
8. Automation
9. Managing the Support Process

How to Apply:

• Create a weekly plan, dedicating specific days to each topic (see the detailed plan earlier).
• Spend more time on high-weight topics like Security and Data Access and Reports and Dashboards.

2. Leverage Hands-On Practice

ADM-201 is practical, so hands-on experience is essential.

How to Apply:

• Use a Salesforce sandbox or developer org for practice.
• Examples:
  • Set up users with varying profiles and permissions.
  • Build reports and dashboards for different scenarios.
  • Configure automation rules and test them with sample data.

3. Use Trailhead for Guided Learning

Trailhead offers official Salesforce modules and badges aligned with ADM-201.

Recommended Trailhead Modules:

1. Admin Beginner and Admin Intermediate trails.
2. Topics like:
   • Data Management: Covers import/export tools.
   • Reports & Dashboards for Lightning Experience.
   • Workflow Automation: Learn workflows, Process Builder, and Approval Processes.

4. Implement Active Recall and Spaced Repetition

These methods reinforce long-term retention.

Active Recall:

• After each study session, quiz yourself:
  • What are Org-Wide Defaults (OWD), and how do they affect record access?
  • How does Process Builder differ from Workflow Rules?

Spaced Repetition:

• Review topics multiple times:
  • Same day → 2 days later → 1 week later → 2 weeks later.
• Use flashcards for terms like Role Hierarchy, Sharing Rules, and Field-Level Security.

5. Create Real-World Scenarios

Simulate how Salesforce is used in real businesses.

Examples:

• User Management:
  • Create users with "Sales Rep" and "Manager" roles. Assign different permissions and test visibility.
• Security:
  • Configure a private sharing model. Use Sharing Rules to grant exceptions.
• Reports and Dashboards:
  • Create a dashboard for tracking monthly sales, using charts and metrics.

6. Practice Exam Questions

Mock tests are critical for success.

How to Apply:

• Take at least 3 full-length mock exams.
• Analyze incorrect answers:
  • Identify knowledge gaps.
  • Revisit topics where you scored low.

Exam Techniques

1. Understand the Exam Format

• Number of Questions: 60 multiple-choice questions.
• Passing Score: 65% (39 correct answers).
• Time: 105 minutes.
• Types of Questions:
  • Single-choice.
  • Multiple-choice (select 2–3 correct answers).

2. Prioritize High-Weight Topics

Some topics are more heavily tested. Focus on:

1. Security and Data Access (13% weight):
   • Org-Wide Defaults, Role Hierarchy, Sharing Rules.
2. Reports and Dashboards (10% weight):
   • Report types, filters, and dashboard components.
3. Automation (8% weight):
   • Workflow Rules vs. Process Builder.

3. Use Process of Elimination

• Eliminate answers that:
  • Are unrelated to the scenario.
  • Suggest outdated features (e.g., avoid answers involving Salesforce Classic unless specified).
• Narrow down to 2–3 likely answers.

4. Pay Attention to Keywords

• Salesforce questions often include keywords like:
  • Best: Which solution is the most effective.
  • Except: Identify the option that doesn’t fit.
  • Most Likely: Choose the most applicable scenario.

5. Time Management

• Strategy:
  • Spend 1.5 minutes per question.
  • If stuck, flag the question and move on. Revisit flagged questions at the end.
• Aim to complete all questions with at least 5 minutes left for review.

6. Scenario-Based Thinking

Most questions involve scenarios, testing your practical knowledge.

Example:

• Scenario: The sales team needs read-only access to all Accounts, but only Sales Managers should edit them.
• Solution:
  • Set OWD for Accounts to "Public Read Only."
  • Use Role Hierarchy to allow Sales Managers edit access.

7. Guess Strategically

• No penalties for incorrect answers. Always make an educated guess.
• If unsure, choose answers that:
  • Use best practices (e.g., Role Hierarchy for data access).
  • Avoid manual solutions unless explicitly required.

8. Stay Calm and Confident

• Salesforce exams are open-book but practical. Trust your preparation.
• If unsure about a question:
  • Reread it slowly to avoid missing key details.
  • Eliminate obvious distractors.

Topic-Specific Tips

Security and Data Access

1. Focus on the hierarchy:
   • OWD → Role Hierarchy → Sharing Rules → Manual Sharing.
2. Understand:
   • Profiles for object-level access.
   • Field-Level Security for sensitive fields.

Reports and Dashboards

1. Practice creating:
   • Summary reports grouped by user or date.
   • Dashboards with metrics and dynamic filters.
2. Memorize:
   • Use cases for each report type (Tabular, Summary, Matrix, Joined).

Automation

1. Memorize:
   • Workflow Rules are limited to field updates, tasks, email alerts, and outbound messages.
   • Process Builder handles cross-object updates, related records, and more complex logic.
2. Practice automating:
   • Approval processes for discount approvals.
   • Notifications for high-value Opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• Study Smart:
  • Focus on hands-on practice, Trailhead modules, and mock tests.
• Exam Strategy:
  • Answer every question, prioritize high-weight topics, and manage time effectively.
• Mindset:
  • Stay calm, break down scenarios, and apply best practices.