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Salesforce Certified Application Architect

How to prepare for Salesforce Certified Application Architect

A 5-stage plan from your first study session to exam day. Adjust the pace to your own schedule.

Study plan

StageWhat to doTime
1Review prerequisite exams
Refresh knowledge from the four prerequisite certifications to ensure a solid foundation in declarative customization, data modeling, development, and sharing/visibility.
Weeks 1-2
2Study official Application Architect guide
Read the official architect documentation, focusing on how the four domains integrate into enterprise solutions.
Weeks 3-4
3Hands‑on practice
Build sample end‑to‑end applications that combine data architecture, sharing rules, and custom code to cement concepts.
Weeks 5-6
4Scenario‑based review
Work through real‑world case studies that require you to choose the right Salesforce features for complex business requirements.
Week 7
5Mock exam & readiness check
Take practice exams or review question banks to identify gaps and gauge confidence before scheduling the test.
Week 8

Exam domains

These come from the official exam outline.

  • Data architecture & management
  • Sharing & visibility design
  • Declarative customization
  • Integration architecture
  • Identity & access management

Salesforce Certified Application Architect preparation questions

How many steps are in the Salesforce Certified Application Architect study plan?

This plan has 5 stages, starting with review prerequisite exams and ending with mock exam & readiness check.

Do I need prior experience for Salesforce Certified Application Architect?

Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder, Salesforce Certified Platform Data Architect, Salesforce Certified Platform Developer, Salesforce Certified Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect

What should I study for Salesforce Certified Application Architect?

Focus on the official exam domains: Data architecture & management, Sharing & visibility design, Declarative customization, Integration architecture, Identity & access management.

Exam outlines change between versions. Check the official exam page for the current outline before you start.