The Salesforce PDI certification validates your skills in developing and deploying business logic and user interfaces using the programmatic capabilities of the Lightning Platform. This guide will help you understand the certification requirements, exam structure, key content areas, and recommended preparation strategies.
Salesforce PDI Certification Overview and Structure
The PDI (Platform Developer I) certification is designed for individuals who have experience with Salesforce development fundamentals. The exam has the following format:
- 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 non-scored questions
- Time allotted: 105 minutes
- Passing score: 68% (41 out of 60 questions)
- Registration fee: US$200, plus applicable taxes
- Retake fee: US$100, plus applicable taxes
- Delivery options: Proctored exam delivered onsite at a testing center or in an online proctored environment
- Closed book exam with no reference materials allowed
Target Audience and Prerequisites
The ideal candidate for this certification typically has:
- 1-2 years of experience as a developer with at least 6 months on the Lightning Platform
- Experience with object-oriented languages (Java, JavaScript, C#, Ruby, .NET)
- Familiarity with data-driven applications and relational databases
- Understanding of Model View Controller (MVC) architecture and component-based architecture
No formal prerequisites are required, but Salesforce recommends relevant course attendance and hands-on experience.
Salesforce PDI Certification Content Areas
The exam covers four main content areas with specific weighting:
Developer Fundamentals (23%)
This section tests your understanding of:
- Multitenant concepts and design frameworks such as MVC architecture and Lightning Component Framework
- Common use cases for declarative versus programmatic customizations
- Salesforce fundamentals and platform capabilities
As described in the Trailhead module, this section covers “how the Salesforce platform features map to the MVC pattern” and “capabilities of the core CRM objects in the Salesforce schema”.
Process Automation and Logic (30%)
The heaviest-weighted section covers:
- Declarative process automation features
- Apex fundamentals: variables, constants, methods, modifiers, and interfaces
- Control flow statements in Apex
- SOQL, SOSL, and DML statements
- Best practices for writing Apex classes and triggers
- Governor limits and their implications on Apex transactions
This section is critical as it represents nearly one-third of the exam content and focuses on both declarative and programmatic solutions.
User Interface (25%)
This section evaluates your knowledge of:
- Visualforce development
- Lightning Web Components (LWC)
- Creating dynamic and responsive user interfaces
You’ll need to understand both the traditional Visualforce approach and the modern LWC framework for building Salesforce interfaces.
Testing, Debugging, and Deployment (22%)
The final section covers:
- Testing frameworks and methodologies
- Debugging tools and techniques
- Deployment processes and best practices
- The development lifecycle from development to testing
Preparation Strategies
Official Trailhead Resources
Salesforce provides a dedicated certification trail on Trailhead with interactive modules:
- Platform Developer I: Developer Fundamentals
- Get Started with Platform Developer I Study Guide
- Review Developer Fundamentals
- Platform Developer I: Automation and Logic
- Review Declarative Features and Basic Constructs in Apex
- Refresh on SOQL, SOSL, and DML
- Study Up on Apex Classes and Triggers
- Platform Developer I: User Interface
- Study Up on Visualforce
- Review the Lightning Component Framework
- Platform Developer I: Testing, Debugging, and Deployment
- Get a Refresh on Testing
- Review Debugging and Deployment
Practice Exams and Mock Tests
Taking practice exams is essential for gauging your readiness:
- Udemy Courses: “PDI: Salesforce Platform Developer I Practice test 2025” covers all exam sections with mock questions
- Focus on Force: Provides comprehensive study guides and practice exams specifically for the Platform Developer I certification
- DumpsBox: Offers Salesforce PDI Exam Questions with similar format to the actual exam
Hands-on Experience
Practical experience is invaluable for this certification:
- Develop custom applications on the Lightning Platform
- Practice writing Apex code, Visualforce pages, and Lightning Web Components
- Gain experience with the Salesforce development lifecycle
- Experiment with both declarative and programmatic solutions to understand their appropriate use cases
Key Topic Areas to Master
Apex Development
Focus on mastering:
- Apex syntax and basic constructs
- Variables, constants, and methods
- Modifiers (Public, Private, Protected, Global, Override, Static, Void)
- Interfaces and control flow statements
- Apex classes and triggers following best practices
- SOQL, SOSL, and DML operations
- Governor limits and their implications
Data Modeling and Management
Understand:
- Object relationships and schema design
- SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language)
- Data validation techniques
- Formula fields and roll-up summary fields
- Importing and exporting data
Lightning Web Components and Visualforce
Learn:
- Modern web development using Lightning Web Components (LWC)
- JavaScript ES6 concepts within Salesforce
- Creating dynamic and responsive user interfaces
- Visualforce development fundamentals
Testing and Deployment
Master:
- Writing effective test classes
- Achieving code coverage requirements
- Debugging techniques
- Deployment workflows
Staying Current with Salesforce Releases
The Platform Developer I exam is updated with each Salesforce release. The Spring ’25 release includes new features relevant to developers:
- Enhanced capabilities in Data Cloud
- New Flow Builder support for Data Cloud data types
- Platform encryption improvements
- Updates to Lightning Web Components
Make sure to review the latest release notes before your exam to understand any new features or changes.
FAQs on Salesforce Platform Developer I (PDI) Exam
What technical skills are tested in the PDI exam?
The exam assesses proficiency in Apex programming, Visualforce, Lightning Components, SOQL/SOSL queries, and declarative automation tools. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to debug, test, and deploy code while adhering to governor limits and security best practices. Knowledge of MVC architecture and data modelling is also critical.
How do governor limits impact Apex development?
Governor limits enforce runtime constraints on Apex transactions, such as heap size, database queries, and CPU time. Exceeding these limits causes errors, requiring developers to optimize code (e.g., bulkifying triggers and avoiding nested loops). Understanding these limits is essential for scalable solutions.
What is the role of exception handling in Apex?
Exception handling in Apex prevents runtime errors from disrupting user workflows. Developers can log errors and roll back transactions via the Database using try-catch blocks. Rollback and throw custom exceptions. Proper handling ensures data integrity and improves debugging efficiency.
When should declarative automation be used over Apex?
Declarative tools like Flows or Process Builder are preferred for simple business logic (e.g., field updates and email alerts) to reduce code maintenance. Apex is reserved for complex logic, external integrations, or scenarios requiring explicit transaction control.
How are Lightning Web Components (LWC) assessed in the exam?
Candidates must understand LWC’s event-driven architecture, security practices (e.g., CSP, LWS), and integration with Apex. Topics include component lifecycle hooks, wire methods for data fetching, and inter-component event communication. Knowledge of shadow DOM and modular development is also tested.
Conclusion
Preparing for the Salesforce Platform Developer I certification requires a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. By following this guide and utilizing the recommended resources, you’ll be well-positioned to succeed in the exam and demonstrate your expertise as a Salesforce developer.
Remember that the certification validates not just your technical knowledge but also your understanding of when to apply declarative versus programmatic solutions – a key skill for effective Salesforce development. Good luck with your certification journey!
