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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Apple
Exam Format
50 min
40
700/1000
Certified User
Registration
$162 USD
Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC)
Validity
Does not expire (no recertification required)
APP-DEVELOPMENT-WITH-SWIFT-CERTIFIED-USER Exam Topics and Domains
APP-DEVELOPMENT-WITH-SWIFT-CERTIFIED-USER is organized into 3 weighted domains. Expect to work with Swift Functions, Swift Standard Library, Swift Type System, Apple Developer Account, and more.
1
Xcode Developer Tools
25%
Identify and use the features of the Xcode interface
Navigate XcodeCreate and modify views with Interface BuilderDemonstrate how to access documentation and help
- Navigate the Xcode interface and identify each area by name and purpose
- Use Interface Builder to visually create and modify views
- Access documentation and help resources within Xcode
Demonstrate how to build and run an app
Build and run on the iOS SimulatorBuild and run on an iOS device
- Build and run an app on the iOS Simulator
- Build and run an app on a physical iOS device
- Understand the differences between Simulator and device testing
Use debugging techniques including, but not limited to, breakpoints, watchpoints, and logging to resolve errors
Set breakpoints and step through code line by line
- Set breakpoints and step through code line by line
- Use watchpoints to monitor variable changes
- Use logging (print statements) to trace program execution
- Read and interpret console output in the Debug area
2
Swift Programming Language
50%
Declare and use basic Swift types
Describe and use data types and operatorsDemonstrate the use of type casting in both safe and unsafe waysDemonstrate when to use constants and variablesInterpret and use basic types
- Describe and use Swift's fundamental data types and operators
- Demonstrate safe and unsafe type casting
- Choose appropriately between constants (let) and variables (var)
- Interpret and apply basic Swift types with type inference and annotations
Manage data using collection types
ArraysDictionaries
- Create, modify, and iterate over Arrays
- Create, modify, and iterate over Dictionaries
- Understand the differences between Arrays and Dictionaries
- Use common collection type properties and methods
Know how and when to apply control flow and loops
Use logical operatorsUse GuardUse range operators
- Use logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) in conditional expressions
- Apply the guard statement for early exit and optional binding
- Use closed range, half-open range, and one-sided range operators
- Combine control flow constructs to implement program logic
Use functions
Organize and structure codeCreate and call a functionDemonstrate how to use a function's return valueCustomize internal, external, and anonymous naming of parameters in functionsImplement default parameter values
- Organize and structure code using functions
- Create and call functions with parameters and return values
- Customize parameter naming with external, internal, and anonymous labels
- Implement default parameter values in function declarations
Demonstrate proper use of structs and classes
Define and use properties and methodsDifferentiate between structures and classesDifferentiate between various initializersDefine and use property observers
- Define and use stored and computed properties
- Write instance and type methods for structs and classes
- Differentiate between value types (structs) and reference types (classes)
- Implement various initializer types for structs and classes
- Define and use willSet and didSet property observers
Demonstrate the use of Optional types
Demonstrate how to unwrap Optionals safelyApply Optional binding and Optional chaining (including but not limited to if let, guard let)
- Declare and use Optional types correctly
- Safely unwrap Optionals using if let, guard let, and nil coalescing
- Apply Optional chaining to access properties and methods safely
- Understand the dangers of forced unwrapping
Evaluate variable scope and shadowing
Variable scope and shadowing
- Understand variable scope in Swift (global, function, block)
- Identify and evaluate variable shadowing scenarios
- Predict which variable is accessed when names are shadowed
- Apply best practices to avoid scope-related bugs
3
View Building with SwiftUI
25%
Position and/or layout a single SwiftUI View with standard Views and modifiers
SwiftUI Views and Modifiers
- Create SwiftUI Views using standard view types
- Apply view modifiers for styling, sizing, and positioning
- Understand how modifier order affects the visual output
Create multiple Views to implement app logic
Composing Multiple Views
- Compose multiple SwiftUI Views using VStack, HStack, and ZStack
- Use Spacer and alignment to control layout
- Build complex interfaces from simple view compositions
Use List Views to iterate through collections
List and ForEach
- Create static and dynamic Lists in SwiftUI
- Use ForEach to iterate through collections
- Apply the Identifiable protocol for dynamic list content
- Customize List appearance with styles and sections
Extract Subviews to simplify the structure of an overlarge View
View Extraction and Reuse
- Extract subviews to simplify complex view hierarchies
- Create reusable SwiftUI view components
- Pass data to subviews using properties
Create a multi-view app with navigation Stacks, Links, and/or Sheets
Navigation in SwiftUI
- Create navigation hierarchies using NavigationStack and NavigationLink
- Present modal views using .sheet() and .fullScreenCover()
- Implement tab-based navigation with TabView
- Configure navigation bar titles and toolbar items
Use @State, @Binding, @Environment, and/or @Observable to share data between Views
State Management in SwiftUI
- Use @State for local view state management
- Pass data between views using @Binding
- Access environment values with @Environment
- Apply @Observable for shared data models
- Understand the single source of truth principle in SwiftUI
How do I earn this certification?
Passing APP-DEVELOPMENT-WITH-SWIFT-CERTIFIED-USER earns the App Development with Swift Certified User certification. It sits in the Apple App Development with Swift track.
Current Level Exams
App Development with Swift Associate - App Development with Swift Associate Validates foundational knowledge of computing, apps, and introductory Swift/SwiftUI. Aligned with Develop in Swift Explorations course.
Next Level Options
N/A - Professional iOS Development (No formal Apple certification above this for Swift development) Apple does not currently offer a professional-level Swift development certification above Certified User. Career progression involves gaining professional experience and contributing to the Apple developer ecosystem.
Alternative Paths
- IT Specialist - Java - Information Technology Specialist - Java Alternative programming language certification for cross-platform development skills.
- IT Specialist - JavaScript - Information Technology Specialist - JavaScript Web development skills complement iOS development for full-stack capabilities.
- Unity Certified User - Programmer - Unity Certified User - Programmer Expands development skills into game development, which also involves mobile deployment.
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for APP-DEVELOPMENT-WITH-SWIFT-CERTIFIED-USER is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-01
Updates
- SwiftUI Domain 3 was completely rewritten from UIKit to SwiftUI, covering NavigationStack, @State, @Binding, @Environment, @Observable, and List Views
- UIKit UIKit-specific objectives (storyboards, segues, IBOutlet/IBAction, UIKit objects, Auto Layout) were removed and replaced with SwiftUI equivalents
- Swift Observation Framework (@Observable) Objective 3.6 now includes @Observable alongside @State, @Binding, and @Environment for state management
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Higher education students pursuing iOS development careers and Students completing Apple's Develop in Swift curriculum.
- Completion of the Develop in Swift Fundamentals course (Apple Books, free)
- At least 150 hours of instructional time in Swift and Xcode
- Hands-on experience building iOS apps with Swift and SwiftUI