Salesforce Platform Developer 2 Certification Guide & Tips

The Salesforce Platform Developer 2 (officially known as Salesforce Developer II) certification serves as the advanced counterpart to the Platform Developer I (PD1) certification, extending your expertise in developing custom solutions on the Salesforce platform.

Building upon the foundational knowledge demonstrated in the PD1 certification, PD2 showcases your proficiency in designing and implementing complex solutions to address diverse business needs.

While the PD1 certification focuses on fundamental concepts and skills in Salesforce development, the PD2 certification delves deeper into advanced topics such as Apex programming, Lightning Web Components, integration techniques, and advanced data modeling.

By obtaining the Salesforce Platform Developer 2 certification, you not only demonstrate your ability to configure and administer Salesforce but also your capacity to architect and build sophisticated applications tailored to meet intricate business requirements.

This certification is highly regarded within the Salesforce ecosystem and is essential for developers looking to advance their careers and tackle challenging development projects with confidence. It signifies your readiness to lead and innovate within Salesforce implementations across various industries and organizations.

Who’s the Ideal Candidate?

The Salesforce Platform Developer 2 certification targets individuals with previous experience developing custom applications on the Salesforce Lightning platform, with a focus on the practical application of the skills and concepts outlined in the exam objectives. Typically, candidates for the PD2 certification possess two to four years of development experience, including at least one year of hands-on experience in designing, implementing, and deploying solutions on the Salesforce platform.

They demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of various principles and best practices essential for successful development on the Salesforce platform. They are adept at Salesforce data modeling, user experience design, code development, and testing, applying these concepts effectively in real-world development scenarios. Additionally, they possess the capability to devise tailored solutions to address specific business challenges or process requirements, leveraging both declarative and programmatic features of the Lightning platform.

Proficiency in developing scalable Apex code, with a keen awareness of platform behaviors, limits, and performance considerations, is a hallmark of an ideal candidate for this certification. They can efficiently handle larger volumes of data and are skilled in building or customizing user interfaces using Lightning Web Components, Aura Components, advanced Visualforce, CSS, and JavaScript.

Furthermore, they exhibit expertise in various aspects of Salesforce development, including security best practices, complex sharing models, test planning and execution, deployment strategies, web service integration, asynchronous programming, error handling, trigger development, and design patterns. Their knowledge extends to surfacing Lightning Web Components and Aura Components across different Salesforce interfaces, such as Lightning pages, Visualforce pages, and Quick Actions, showcasing their versatility and proficiency in Salesforce development practices.

About The Exam

There is some essential information you need to know regarding the exam. The Salesforce Platform Developer 2 exam comprises 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions along with up to five non-scored questions. Test-takers are given 120 minutes to complete the exam, with a passing score of 70%. Registration costs $200, with additional taxes as per local law, and a retake fee of $100 is applicable. The exam can be taken either onsite at a testing center, or online with proctoring. No external materials are allowed during the exam, and candidates must hold the Salesforce Platform Developer I credential as a prerequisite.

Exam Topics

Advanced Developer Fundamentals: 15%

In this section, you’ll need to show you understand localization and multi-currency features in coding. You’ll also have to explain when it’s appropriate to use sharing objects and Apex-managed sharing, along with justifications. Additionally, you’ll need to identify best practices for custom metadata and custom settings and how to implement solutions based on given scenarios.

Process Automation, Logic, and Integration: 27%

Here, you’ll dive into interactions between various processes, both declarative and programmatic, and propose suitable solutions for given scenarios. You’ll demonstrate knowledge of Apex trigger best practices, error handling features, and transactional integrity maintenance. Understanding advanced SOQL query keywords, asynchronous Apex coding, dynamic Apex features, and publish/subscribe logic for platform events is crucial too.

User Interface: 20%

This section focuses on analyzing and modifying Lightning Web Components or Aura Components and their Apex controller classes based on requirements and code snippets. You’ll also need to identify techniques for Visualforce actions, partial page refreshes, and error handling in UI. Additionally, you’ll select appropriate UI solutions based on given requirements, describe responsive UI design aspects, and implement event communication methods in Lightning Web Components or Aura Components.

Testing, Debugging, and Deployment: 20%

Here, you’ll apply advanced testing techniques for Apex classes and triggers, as well as Lightning Web Components, Aura Components, and Visualforce controllers/extensions. Debugging skills are crucial for identifying issues in Apex code or tests. You’ll also formulate deployment processes and use supporting tools for source-driven development.

Performance: 18%

This section involves recognizing performance issues in user interfaces and knowing how to mitigate them. You’ll also choose the best logic and query structures for maximizing application performance and handling large data volumes. Understanding the benefits of asynchronous callouts, identifying scenarios for code reuse, and resolving code inefficiencies are also part of this domain.

How Is the Platform Developer 2 Credential Different?

The below image (courtesy of Trailhead) sums up the PD2 exam perfectly. This is currently the only exam that not only has a prerequisite certification (the PD1), but also three prerequisite Trailhead Superbadges (Apex Specialist, Data Integration Specialist, and Advanced Apex Specialist).

You can go and pass the exam, but unless you also have these three superbadges, you will not obtain the PD2 credential.

I’ve spoken previously about the differences between superbadges and certifications, but I’d like to see more certifications like the Salesforce Platform Developer 2 where more is required to obtain the credential.

Study Strategy and Additional Resources

1. Understand the Exam Guide

Start by thoroughly reviewing the exam guide provided by Salesforce. This will outline the topics covered in the exam and their respective weightings. Use this as a guide to structure your study plan.

2. Review Official Documentation and Resources

Salesforce provides comprehensive documentation and resources for each topic covered in the exam. Take the time to review these materials, paying close attention to any updates, new features, or changes to topic weightings for the exam.

3. Hands-On Experience

Practical experience is crucial for success in this exam. Spend time working on real-world projects or completing hands-on exercises in a Salesforce Developer environment. Practice writing Apex code, creating Lightning components, and implementing various integration techniques.

4. Trailhead and Salesforce Documentation

You have three Trailhead Superbadges that are prerequisites for this exam – use them. Doing the work for these superbadges will cement a lot of the information you need to know for this exam.

On top of that, Trailhead has a specific Trailmix just for this certification to cover everything else. Also, make sure to use Salesforce documentation for any areas you aren’t sure on.

• Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Platform Developer 2 Credential
• Superbadge: Apex Specialist
• Superbadge: Data Integration Specialist
• Superbadge: Advanced Apex Specialist

5. Join Study Groups and Forums

Engage with the Salesforce Developer community by joining study groups, forums, or online communities. This allows you to collaborate with peers, ask questions, and share insights. Salesforce Developer forums and the Trailblazer Community are great places to connect with other developers.

6. Practice Exams

Take practice exams to assess your knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Salesforce offers official practice exams, and there are also third-party resources available online. Make note of the questions you struggle with and review those topics in more detail.

7. Focus on Weak Areas

Spend extra time studying topics where you feel less confident. Use a variety of learning resources, such as documentation, tutorials, and practice exercises, to reinforce your understanding of these concepts.

8. Review and Reinforce

As you approach the exam date, review all the material you’ve studied and reinforce your knowledge with additional practice exams or quizzes. Make sure you understand key concepts, best practices, and Salesforce platform features thoroughly.

9. Stay Updated

Salesforce regularly updates its platform with new features and enhancements. Stay updated with the latest releases and changes by following Salesforce blogs, attending webinars, and participating in Trailhead modules related to new features.

10. Manage Your Time

Plan your study schedule effectively, allocating sufficient time to cover all exam objectives. Set realistic goals and milestones to track your progress. Be sure to take breaks and maintain a healthy balance between studying and other activities.

Remember, the PD2 certification exam assesses your ability to develop advanced solutions on the Salesforce platform. Approach your study plan systematically, practice regularly, and stay focused on your goal of becoming a certified PD2.

Exam Strategy

On the Salesforce Platform Developer 2 certification exam day, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to increase your chances of success.

Firstly, if any concepts are giving you trouble, consider creating a cheat sheet and reviewing it before the exam to keep the key points fresh in your mind.

During the exam, carefully read each question multiple times, especially for scenario-based questions. The answers often contain clues to guide you to the correct choice. If you’re in a test center, take advantage of the provided pen and paper to sketch out diagrams like data schemas or role hierarchies to help visualize your answer.

When selecting an answer, use the process of elimination to discard obviously incorrect options. Salesforce may include misleading features or practices, so focus on standard Salesforce tools for tasks whenever possible. For instance, consider using built-in features instead of creating custom solutions with Process Builder unless necessary.

Utilize the “Mark for review” feature to flag questions you’re unsure about or need more time to consider. You can revisit these questions before submitting your exam.

After completing the exam, take advantage of the review time to go over any flagged questions. This can give you a sense of your performance and allow you to correct any mistakes if time permits. It’s good practice to thoroughly review every question, as you may catch errors and make adjustments before submitting your exam.

Final Thoughts

The journey towards earning the Salesforce Platform Developer 2 certification is a testament to your dedication and expertise in crafting intricate solutions on the Salesforce platform. Building upon the solid foundation laid by the PD1 certification, PD2 elevates your skills to a new level, encompassing advanced topics like Apex programming, Lightning Web Components, and integration strategies. By pursuing this certification, you not only showcase your ability to configure and administer Salesforce but also your prowess in architecting tailored applications to meet diverse business needs.

The Salesforce Platform Developer 2 certification is more than just a credential; it’s a symbol of your readiness to lead and innovate in Salesforce implementations across various industries. With a comprehensive study strategy, hands-on experience, and a commitment to staying updated, you’re well-equipped to tackle the PD2 exam and emerge as a certified Salesforce expert. So, as you embark on this journey, remember to stay focused, practice diligently, and embrace the challenges ahead. Your pursuit of excellence in Salesforce development will undoubtedly open doors to new opportunities and propel your career to greater heights.