Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Study Guide 2026: Syllabus, Exam Topics & Study Plan -Edureify
📋 2026 Edition  ·  Updated September 2026

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Study Guide 2026

Complete exam coverage for the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I: syllabus, domains, key topics, study plan and practical exam preparation strategy.

60
Questions
105 min
Duration
65
Passing score
8
Domains
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95%
First-attempt pass rate
47K+
Candidates prepared
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Average rating
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Overall readiness (locked)
Salesforce Fundamentals and Data Model
-
Working with Data in Apex (SOQL and SOSL)
-
Apex (Core Programming)
-
Lightning Web Components (LWC)
-
Testing
-
Visualforce
-
Declarative Tools
-
Debugging and Deployment
-
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Exam at a Glance

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Exam Overview

Key facts about the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I exam structure, format and scoring.

🆔
salesforce-platform-developer-1
Exam code
📝
60 questions
Total questions
⏱
105 minutes
Duration
🎯
65
Passing score
📋
8 domains
Exam domains
🏆
Certification
Credential type
ℹ️
Scoring method: Raw scoring — 65% correct (39/60) required to pass. No negative marking. Some unscored pilot questions may appear.. The exam may include unscored pilot questions - treat every question seriously.
Focus Areas

What should you study for the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I exam?

Start with the domains that make up the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I exam. Use the detailed syllabus below to work through the individual topics.

⚠️
Common mistake: Candidates often memorise terminology but struggle with scenario-based questions. Focus on when to use what, not just what exists.
🔐
Salesforce Fundamentals and Data Model (23%)
Covers the Salesforce platform architecture, object model (standard and custom objects), relationships, fields, schema, and the record sharing model.
🏗
Working with Data in Apex (SOQL and SOSL) (18%)
Covers querying and manipulating Salesforce data using SOQL and SOSL, DML operations, and governor limit best practices.
⚡
Apex (Core Programming) (17%)
Covers Apex syntax, collections, control flow, classes, interfaces, triggers, exception handling, and governor limits.
💰
Lightning Web Components (LWC) (10%)
Covers the LWC programming model, component communication, lifecycle hooks, and integration with Apex.
🔄
Testing (9%)
Covers Apex test classes, test data creation, assert methods, and the minimum test coverage requirements for deployment.
📊
Visualforce (8%)
Covers Visualforce page and component development, standard and custom controllers, and extensions.
🌐
Declarative Tools (8%)
Covers Salesforce Flow, Process Builder (legacy), approval processes, and when to use declarative vs programmatic solutions.
🛡
Debugging and Deployment (7%)
Covers debugging Apex using logs and the Developer Console, and deploying metadata between Salesforce orgs.
Full Syllabus

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Exam Syllabus and Topics

The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I exam is divided into 8 domains. Each domain covers specific skills and topics. Expand a domain to see the detailed syllabus.

Salesforce Platform Architecture
Multi-tenant architecture
Platform limits and governor limits
Metadata-driven development
AppExchange overview
Data Model
Standard objects (Account, Contact, Opportunity, Lead, Case)
Custom objects and fields
Relationship types (Lookup, Master-Detail, Many-to-Many via junction objects)
Schema Builder
Field types and validation rules
Security and Sharing Model
Organization-wide defaults (OWD)
Role hierarchy
Profiles and permission sets
Sharing rules
Record-level and field-level security
~14 questions
14 marks
23% of exam weight
SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language)
Basic SELECT syntax
Filtering (WHERE, LIKE, IN)
Aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG)
Relationship queries (parent-to-child, child-to-parent)
Bind variables
SOQL for loops
SOSL (Salesforce Object Search Language)
FIND syntax
Searching across multiple objects
SOQL vs SOSL use cases
DML Operations
Insert, update, upsert, delete, undelete
Database class methods (Database.insert with partial success)
DML governor limits
Avoiding SOQL and DML inside loops
~11 questions
11 marks
18% of exam weight
Apex Basics
Data types and variables
Collections (List, Set, Map)
Control flow (if/else, for, while, do-while)
String handling
Classes and OOP
Class structure, access modifiers
Inheritance and interfaces
Static vs instance methods
Inner classes
Abstract and virtual classes
Apex Triggers
Trigger syntax and context variables
Before and after triggers
Trigger best practices (one trigger per object, handler pattern)
Trigger order of execution
Asynchronous Apex
Future methods (@future)
Batch Apex (Database.Batchable)
Queueable Apex
Scheduled Apex
Platform Events
~10 questions
10 marks
17% of exam weight
LWC Fundamentals
LWC file structure (HTML, JS, CSS, meta.xml)
Data binding (@track, @api, @wire)
Lifecycle hooks (connectedCallback, renderedCallback)
Event handling (dispatching and receiving events)
LWC and Apex Integration
@wire decorator for Apex calls
Imperative Apex calls
Error handling in LWC
LWC security (LockerService)
~6 questions
6 marks
10% of exam weight
Writing Test Classes
@isTest annotation
Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest()
Creating test data (Test.loadData, TestDataFactory pattern)
System.assert, System.assertEquals, System.assertNotEquals
Test Coverage and Deployment
75% code coverage requirement for production deployment
What counts as coverage
Test isolation and SeeAllData=false
Testing asynchronous Apex
~5 questions
5 marks
9% of exam weight
Visualforce Pages and Controllers
Visualforce tag syntax (<apex:page>, <apex:form>, <apex:inputField>)
Standard controller (standardController)
Custom controllers and controller extensions
View state and its limitations
Visualforce Best Practices
Reducing view state size
Using with sharing in controllers
Visualforce security considerations
~5 questions
5 marks
8% of exam weight
Salesforce Flow
Screen Flows, Record-Triggered Flows, Auto-Launched Flows
Flow elements (Assignment, Decision, Loop, Create Records, Update Records)
Flow variables and formulas
Calling Apex from Flow
Approval Processes
Approval process steps and actions
Approval entry criteria
Automated approval routing
~5 questions
5 marks
8% of exam weight
Debugging
Debug Log levels and categories
Developer Console features
System.debug() usage
Checkpoint inspector
Deployment
Change Sets
Salesforce CLI (sf) and SFDX commands
Metadata API
Deployment validation vs deployment
~4 questions
4 marks
7% of exam weight
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Study Plan

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Structured Study Roadmap

Choose a preparation timeline based on how much time you have available. For a plan based on your actual readiness and weak domains, use the personalised Edureify study experience. Get My Training Plan →

Weeks 1-2
Core Services + Highest-Weighted Domain
Deep-dive into the most heavily tested domain. Spend more time here when its exam weight is significantly higher.
Official exam guideDomain 1 completeCore conceptsPractice questions
Week 3
Domain 2 - Hands-on Practice
Focus on scenario-based study and reinforce concepts through practical application where applicable.
Domain 2Scenario walkthroughsHands-on practicePractice questions
Week 4
Domain 3 - Deeper Concepts
Work through complex concepts and decision scenarios.
Domain 3Scenario drillsPractice examReview
Week 5
Remaining Domains + Weak Area Targeting
Identify your weaker domains and spend focused time closing those gaps.
Remaining domainsDiagnosticTargeted reviewStudy notes
Week 6
Full Simulations + Final Preparation
Use timed simulations to test your preparation and review the reasoning behind incorrect answers.
Full mock examsWrong-answer reviewFinal reviewExam logistics
Exam Strategy

Tips to pass Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I on your first attempt

Practical advice for applying what you know, managing questions and preparing for exam conditions.

🗓
Governor limits are tested throughout every domain — memorize key limits: 100 SOQL queries per transaction, 150 DML statements, 6MB heap size, and 10MB async heap.
🔍
Master the trigger order of execution: validation rules, before triggers, duplicate rules, after triggers, assignment rules, auto-response rules, workflow rules, and Flows.
⏭
SOQL in loops is the most common anti-pattern tested — always bulkify by querying outside loops and using Maps for lookups.
📊
Complete the official Trailhead 'Prepare for your Salesforce Platform Developer I Credential' trail — it maps directly to the exam.
🔁
Know LWC @wire vs imperative Apex calls: use @wire for reactive data, imperative for conditional or user-action-triggered calls.
🧪
For testing: understand that System.runAs() changes user context and is commonly tested in governor limit + multi-user scenarios.
📝
The data model domain (23%) is the heaviest — master object relationships (Lookup vs Master-Detail), cascade delete, and roll-up summaries.
🎯
Study asynchronous Apex (Batch, Queueable, Future, Scheduled) — know when to use each and their specific governor limit implications.
🗓
Practice in a free Salesforce Developer Edition org — hands-on experience with triggers, Flows, and LWC is essential.
🔍
Salesforce updates its exams with each major release (Spring, Summer, Winter) — verify your study materials are current before exam day.
Recommended Resources

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Study Resources

Use a focused set of resources alongside the study guide rather than trying to study from everything available.

Official
Official Exam Guide
Start with the authoritative exam objectives and blueprint.
→ Vendor website
Practice Tests
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Practice Test
Practice questions with explanations and domain-level performance analysis.
→ Start free practice test
Mock Exam
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Mock Exam
Timed preparation under realistic exam-style conditions.
→ Take free mock exam
Training
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Certification Training
Structured preparation with personalised learning support and adaptive practice.
→ Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification online training
AI Tutor
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I AI Tutor
Get help understanding concepts and work on weak areas with AI-powered learning support.
→ Try Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I AI tutor
Reference
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Cheat Sheet
Quick-reference summaries for final revision.
→ Get free cheat sheet
Diagnostic
Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I Readiness Test
Assess your preparation and identify weaker exam domains.
→ Check my readiness
⚠️
Avoid brain dumps. Sites selling real or stolen exam questions may violate certification-provider rules and can leave candidates studying outdated material.
Reviews

What candidates say after passing

★★★★★
Never query inside a loop is the Salesforce governor limit rule that appears in more scenarios than any other.Edureify AI's trigger scenarios consistently required me to collect all IDs first, query once outside the loop, and process from a Map. After enough repetitions, it became the only pattern I could imagine writing.
Sneha R.
Data Engineer
★★★★★
Bulkification is a Salesforce-specific discipline that developers from other platforms have to consciously develop.Edureify AI's trigger processing scenarios - always handling 200 records, never assuming one - built the bulk-first instinct that the exam tests and that production Salesforce development requires.
David L.
Cloud Engineer
★★★★★
Test class meaningful assertions are the difference between 75% coverage that satisfies the requirement and test coverage that actually catches bugs.Edureify AI's unit testing scenarios required me to verify specific outcomes with System.assertEquals - not just execute code paths. The exam tests the difference.
Freya L.
Agile Coach
★★★★★
With sharing vs. without sharing is a security decision with real business consequences.Edureify AI's Apex class scenarios - who is the running user, does their sharing model need to apply - built the decision framework for choosing the right keyword. Defaulting to without sharing because it's simpler is the wrong instinct the platform corrected.
Yusuf K.
PM Director
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I

Most candidates with relevant background can structure their preparation over several weeks, depending on their existing knowledge, available study time and exam difficulty. Use the study roadmap above as a starting point and use the readiness diagnostic to identify where you need more preparation.
The guide covers the exam overview, domains, detailed syllabus and topics, study roadmap, exam preparation tips and links to practice, mock, readiness, cheat-sheet, AI Tutor and training resources.
The guide is designed to organize your preparation around the exam syllabus. You should combine it with practice questions and timed simulations so that you can test both your knowledge and your ability to apply it.
Yes. Start with the exam overview and domain breakdown, then work through the detailed topics using the study roadmap. Candidates with less experience may need additional time for foundational concepts.
Take the Edureify readiness diagnostic to assess your preparation and identify the domains where you need to focus more.
Edureify AI can help explain concepts, identify weaker areas from practice performance and support a more personalised preparation process.

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