By now, you’ve likely heard that Salesforce has added a new certificate to its wide repertoire. The Salesforce Associate Certificate joins the current list of over forty certifications as the first of its kind, designed with new Trailblazers in mind. 

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Want to know what it’s all about? Wondering how you can get started on obtaining this exciting new certificate?

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You’re in luck! Modelit is here to break it all down for you.

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Who is it for?

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Up to this point, Salesforce Trailhead has offered an extensive list of certifications intended for each of the many careers within the ecosystem.  In an effort to both contribute to the professional gap and soften the path for those wanting to join the Salesforce ecosystem, the Trailhead team created the new Salesforce Associate Certificate. 

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This certificate is intended to guide those with anywhere from 0-6 months of experience with Salesforce.  So, whether it’s your very first day on the platform or you’ve already got a few Trailmixes under your belt, this certification is perfect for you as a Salesforce Customer 360 newbie. What’s more, the exam does not require that you have any previous technical knowledge of the platform nor does it require maintenance once you’ve obtained the certificate.  

All you need is an eagerness to learn!

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What does it include?

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The certification was created to offer foundational knowledge to new Trailblazers, ultimately setting them up for success in their Salesforce careers. It teaches on what the platform is and what it can do, and it gives learners a clearer picture of how the platform works to help businesses meet their needs. 

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There are four topics covered on the Salesforce Associate exam: Salesforce Ecosystem, Navigation, Data Model, and Reports & Dashboards.

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Let’s take a closer look at each of those sections:

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Salesforce Ecosystem

Here you will learn the most essential information about the Salesforce ecosystem.  You’ll gain knowledge on the variety of roles that exist within the ecosystem, along with a better idea of the ways that companies benefit from their Salesforce implementations.

Navigation

This one is pretty self-explanatory.  This section will show you the ins and outs of the platform, teaching you exactly where to find key information when you need it.

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Data Model

Once you’ve finished this section, you should be able to explain the relationship between the core standard objects — account, contact, lead, opportunity, and case.  

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Reports & Dashboards

Of course, this is where you’ll learn to make sense of reports and dashboards on Salesforce. Upon completion of this section, you’ll be better equipped to describe both to clients.

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Why is it important?

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This certification is truly made for Trailblazers of all kinds. Whether you’ve got a specific career path in mind or not, the Salesforce Associate Certificate serves at the perfect starting point. It provides learners with the basic understanding of the platform that they’ll need in order to pursue higher level careers in Salesforce – a clear picture of what Salesforce is, how the ecosystem is built, where to search for more help, and an overview of the career options available to new Trailblazers. Who knows? This fundamental knowledge might even help you land your first job position within the ecosystem!

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“Salesforce Associate is the first certification focused on those who aren’t yet part of the ecosystem – giving a clear path to understand what Salesforce is, what it’s like to work in the ecosystem, and which basic things you need to know to begin working.  It's an excellent way to facilitate the entrance of new professionals into an ecosystem which offers opportunities for ALL!” 
- Angelica Buffa, CTO at Modelit 

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How can you become a Salesforce Certified Associate?

As with any Salesforce certificate, you’ll have to review the materials and pass the exam.  This exam gives you 70 minutes to complete 40 multiple-choice questions.  It will cost $75 to take the exam and any necessary retakes will be free.

The exam can be completed either online or at a testing center, and a score of at least 62% is required to pass. As previously mentioned, there are no prerequisites nor maintenance requirements for this certification. 

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So, what are you waiting for? 

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Here’s how you can get started:

1. Create an account on Trailhead.
2. Review the exam outline. 
3. Complete the official Trailmix.
4. Test your knowledge.
5. When you’re ready, you can create an account on Webassessor, pick a date, and register for the exam.

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Jumpstart your Salesforce journey today!

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Looking for a little more guidance? You can always check out the Trailhead Virtual Bootcamp for Salesforce Associates! Now for a packaged fee, you can sign up for a special preparation course and receive a voucher for your certification exam. This is a great way to hold yourself accountable, receive help from an instructor along your learning journey, and get well on your way to achieving your first Salesforce certificate! 

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We hope this article has been helpful! For any further questions or comments on the topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to Modelit by filling out the form below.

Thank you!

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