What is ADM-201 Exam?
The Salesforce ADM-201 exam, officially called the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam, is the foundational certification for Salesforce professionals. It validates your knowledge of Salesforce’s core features, including user management, security, automation, data management, customization, and reporting. Passing this exam demonstrates that you can configure and manage Salesforce to meet business requirements without needing advanced coding skills.
Who should take this exam
The ADM-201 Salesforce Certified Administrator exam is designed for professionals who want to start or advance their careers in Salesforce administration. Typical candidates include:
- Salesforce Administrators responsible for daily platform management.
- Business Analysts who design workflows and reports.
- Sales/Marketing Operations Specialists managing CRM processes.
- Project Managers who work closely with Salesforce teams.
- Aspiring Salesforce Professionals with little to no prior certifications.
Experience Level: Ideal for entry-level to mid-level professionals with 6 months to 1 year of Salesforce exposure.
Prerequisites and recommendations
- Official Prerequisites: None. You can register and attempt the exam directly.
- Practical Recommendations:
- Related certifications (helpful but not required): Salesforce Certified Associate
- At least 6 months of hands-on Salesforce experience.
- Familiarity with Salesforce Lightning Experience UI.
- Knowledge of business processes, CRM concepts, and data management.
- Prior training: Salesforce Trailhead Administrator Trailmix or equivalent.
Exam objectives and domains
The ADM-201 exam measures knowledge across these areas:
- Configuration and Setup – 20%
- Object Manager and Lightning App Builder – 20%
- Sales and Marketing Applications – 12%
- Service and Support Applications – 11%
- Productivity and Collaboration – 7%
- Data and Analytics Management – 14%
- Workflow/Process Automation – 16%
Objective details by domain
Configuration and Setup (20%)
- Manage company settings (fiscal year, business hours, currency).
- Configure user setup, profiles, and permission sets.
- Apply security controls (roles, sharing rules, login access policies).
Object Manager and Lightning App Builder (20%)
- Create and customize standard and custom objects.
- Define fields, relationships, and page layouts.
- Build Lightning apps, tabs, and UI components.
Sales and Marketing Applications (12%)
- Configure opportunity stages, lead management, and campaigns.
- Support sales productivity features (quotes, forecasts).
- Implement email templates and campaign hierarchies.
Service and Support Applications (11%)
- Set up case management, queues, and escalation rules.
- Configure knowledge base and service console.
- Manage service entitlements and SLAs.
Productivity and Collaboration (7%)
- Use Chatter, Activity Management, and Lightning Experience tools.
- Configure Salesforce mobile app.
- Manage calendar sharing and activity settings.
Data and Analytics Management (14%)
- Import, export, and update data with Data Loader and Data Import Wizard.
- Apply data validation rules and deduplication techniques.
- Create dashboards, reports, and filters.
Workflow/Process Automation (16%)
- Optimize automation for scalability and maintenance.
- Configure workflow rules and approval processes.
- Automate tasks using Process Builder and Flow.
What changed in this version
- Increased focus on Lightning Experience – Classic UI topics reduced.
- More automation coverage – Salesforce Flow has more weight than older Process Builder/Workflow rules.
- Refined domain weight distribution – Data management and analytics now emphasized.
- Removed outdated topics – Territory management (Classic), legacy workflow-heavy items.
Registration and scheduling
- Register via: Webassessor by Kryterion.
- Options: Online proctored or onsite testing at a Kryterion test center.
- Available in multiple languages (English, Japanese, Spanish, French, German).
Pricing and vouchers
- Standard price: $200 USD.
- Retake fee: $100 USD.
- Regional pricing: May vary based on currency conversion.
- Discounts:
- Student discount (via Salesforce Academic programs).
- Military programs (Vetforce offers vouchers).
- Corporate vouchers available through Salesforce partners.
Policies you should know
- Retake Policy: Three attempts allowed per release cycle (Spring, Summer, Winter).
- Rescheduling: Allowed up to 72 hours before exam.
- No-shows: Forfeit the exam fee.
- Exam Security: Strict identity verification; no reference materials allowed.
Scoring and results
- Passing score: 65%.
- Scoring scale: 0–1000 points.
- Partial credit: Not offered. Each question is all-or-nothing.
- Result delivery: Immediate (on-screen + email).
- Score report: Breaks down performance by domain.
Exam day and test experience
- Onsite Testing: Bring government-issued ID, arrive 30 mins early.
- Online Proctored: Quiet space, webcam, stable internet. Room scan required.
- Allowed Items: None (no notes, calculators, or phones).
- Breaks: No unscheduled breaks; timer keeps running.
- Interface Tips: Flag questions for review, track timer at top of screen.
- Time Management: Aim to finish 60 questions in 90 minutes → ~1.5 min per question.
Study plan and resources
For Beginners (8-10 weeks)
- Weeks 1–2: Complete Trailhead Admin Beginner modules.
- Weeks 3–4: Study Salesforce Admin Intermediate Trail.
- Weeks 5–6: Focus on hands-on practice in a free Salesforce Developer Org.
- Weeks 7–8: Take mock exams, review weak domains.
- Final Week: Revise notes, practice 1–2 timed practice tests.
For Experienced Candidates (3–4 weeks)
- Final Days: Do final revisions, light practice exams, focus on time management.
- Week 1: Review exam guide and Trailhead Admin Intermediate.
- Week 2: Hands-on practice in key domains (Automation, Data Management).
- Week 3: Attempt practice tests, refine weak areas.
Certification validity and renewal
Validity: 3 years.
Renewal: Complete Salesforce Administrator Maintenance Module on Trailhead once per year (aligned with product release cycles).
Career outcomes
Common job titles:
- Salesforce Administrator
- CRM Manager
- Business Analyst
- Operations Specialist
- Salesforce Consultant (entry-level)
| Job Role | Experience Level | Average Salary (USD/year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce Administrator | Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $70,000 – $85,000 | Handles daily Salesforce tasks, user management, basic automation. |
| Salesforce Administrator | Mid-Level (2–5 yrs) | $85,000 – $100,000 | Manages automation, security, reporting, and system optimization. |
| Salesforce Administrator | Senior (5+ yrs) | $105,000 – $120,000+ | Leads platform strategy, advanced automation, integrations. |
| CRM Manager | 3–6 yrs | $95,000 – $115,000 | Oversees CRM strategy, adoption, and optimization. |
| Business Analyst (Salesforce) | 2–5 yrs | $85,000 – $105,000 | Translates business requirements into Salesforce solutions. |
| Salesforce Consultant (Entry-Level) | 1–3 yrs | $90,000 – $110,000 | Works with clients to implement/administer Salesforce solutions. |
| Operations Specialist (Sales/Marketing) | 1–4 yrs | $75,000 – $95,000 | Manages CRM processes, data quality, and reporting for sales teams. |
Related or next-step certifications
- Salesforce Advanced Administrator (ADM-211) – deeper platform mastery.
- Salesforce Platform App Builder – for customization skills.
- Salesforce Sales Cloud/Service Cloud Consultant – role-specific expertise.
How this exam compares to similar certifications
- Salesforce Associate vs. ADM-201: Associate is entry-level, more conceptual. ADM-201 is hands-on and technical.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals vs. ADM-201: Dynamics covers Microsoft CRM; ADM-201 is more Salesforce-specific and in higher demand globally.
Boost Your Success with Reliable Exam Resources
Preparing for the Salesforce ADM-201 exam can feel overwhelming, but the right study materials can make all the difference. If you want to practice with realistic exam-style questions, check out the ADM-201 PDF exam dumps from Cert Empire. They’re designed to help you understand the question patterns and master key concepts effectively.
You can also test your knowledge and build exam confidence with free ADM-201 practice tests. These practice sessions are a great way to evaluate your readiness, identify weak areas, and improve your time management before exam day.
With these resources, you’ll be well-prepared to clear your Salesforce ADM-201 exam on the first attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How hard is the Salesforce ADM-201 exam?
It is considered moderately difficult. Candidates with at least 3–6 months of Salesforce hands-on practice and proper study resources usually succeed.
Can I take ADM-201 without Salesforce experience?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Hands-on practice in a free Developer Org significantly increases your chances of passing.
How many questions are on the exam?
60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions, plus 5 unscored experimental questions.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You can retake it after paying the $100 USD retake fee, up to 3 times per release cycle.
