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PDI Verified 2026 Edition

PDI Practice Test

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I (PDI), successor to the earlier DEV-501 exam, certifies developers who build custom logic, interfaces and integrations on the Lightning Platform. Declarative automation and Apex fundamentals, Lightning Components, and testing and deployment are the main areas of the practice test. It leads toward the Platform Developer II certification.

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Exam Information

Official specifications published by Salesforce

Exam Format

105 min
60
68%
Professional

Registration

$200 USD
Kryterion or online proctoring
English

Validity

Must complete maintenance modules annually
Complete annual maintenance modules on Trailhead before due date; Earn higher level certification (Platform Developer II); Release maintenance exams required for each Salesforce release

PDI Exam Topics and Domains

PDI is organized into 4 weighted domains. Expect to work with Apex, Developer Console, Schema Builder, Visual Studio Code, and more.

1

Process Automation and Logic

30%

Declarative Process Automation

Formula FieldsRoll-up Summary FieldsProcess Automation Tools
  • Describe the capabilities and use cases for formula fields
  • Describe the capabilities and use cases for roll-up summary fields
  • Describe the capabilities of the declarative process automation features
  • Describe when to use declarative automation features vs. Apex classes and triggers

Apex Fundamentals

Variables and Data TypesControl Flow StatementsApex Classes and InterfacesSOQL and SOSLDML OperationsSchema Access
  • Describe how to declare variables and constants in Apex and how to assign values using expressions
  • Describe the primitive and complex Apex data types and when to use them
  • Describe how to use and apply Apex control flow statements
  • Describe how to write and when to use Apex classes and interfaces
  • Describe how to use basic SOSL, SOQL, and DML statements when working with objects in Apex
  • Describe how to programmatically access and utilize the object schema

Advanced Apex Topics

Apex TriggersBulk Patterns and Governor LimitsOrder of Execution and TransactionsException HandlingVisualforce ControllersSecurity in Apex and VisualforceImpact of Apex on Declarative Changes
  • Describe when to use and how to write triggers
  • Describe the basic patterns used in triggers and classes to process data efficiently
  • Describe the implications of governor limits on Apex transactions
  • Describe the relationship between Apex transactions, the save order of execution, and the potential for recursion and/or cascading
  • Describe how to implement exception handling in Apex
  • Describe how to write Visualforce controllers
  • Describe when and how to use standard Visualforce controllers vs. Apex custom controllers and controller extensions
  • Describe the programmatic techniques to prevent security vulnerabilities in Apex and Visualforce
  • Describe how Apex impacts the ability to make declarative changes
2

User Interface

25%

Visualforce Pages

Displaying Data with VisualforceWeb Content in VisualforceIncorporating Visualforce Pages
  • Describe how to display Salesforce data using a Visualforce page
  • Describe the types of web content that can be incorporated into Visualforce pages
  • Describe how to incorporate Visualforce pages into Lightning Platform applications

Lightning Components

Lightning Component Framework BenefitsLightning Component ResourcesApex and Component Interactions
  • Describe the benefits of the Lightning Component framework
  • Describe the resources that can be contained in a Lightning Component
  • Describe the requirements for interactions between Apex and various types of page components
3

Developer Fundamentals

23%

Salesforce Platform Fundamentals

Multi-Tenant EnvironmentMVC Pattern on SalesforceCore CRM ObjectsAppExchange and ExtensibilityDeclarative vs. Programmatic Customization
  • Describe the considerations when developing in a multi-tenant environment
  • Describe how the Salesforce platform features map to the MVC pattern
  • Describe the capabilities of the core CRM objects in the Salesforce schema
  • Identify the common scenarios for extending an application's capabilities using the AppExchange
  • Identify common use cases for declarative customization of the Lightning Platform

Data Modeling and Management

Data Model DesignRelationship TypesSchema Modifications ImpactEntity Relationship VisualizationData Import and Export
  • Given a set of requirements, determine the appropriate data model
  • Describe the capabilities of the various relationship types and the implications of each on record access, user interface (UI), and object-oriented programming
  • Describe the impact of schema design and modifications on Apex Development
  • Describe how to visualize and create entity relationships
  • Describe the options for and considerations when importing and exporting data into development environments
4

Testing, Debugging, and Deployment

22%

Testing Framework

Testing RequirementsWriting Unit TestsTest Data ManagementRunning TestsExecute Anonymous vs. Unit Tests
  • Describe the testing framework and requirements for deployment
  • Describe how to write unit tests for triggers, controllers, and classes
  • Describe when and how to use various sources of test data
  • Describe how to execute one or multiple test classes
  • Describe the differences between invoking Apex in execute anonymous vs. unit tests

Debugging

Debug LogsDevelopment Tools
  • Describe how to monitor and access various types of debug logs
  • Describe the capabilities and security implications of the Developer Console, Workbench, and Visual Studio Code

Deployment

Deployment ProcessesDevelopment Environments
  • Describe the different processes for deploying metadata and business data
  • Describe how the different environments are used in the development and deployment process

How do I earn this certification?

Passing PDI earns the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification. It sits in the Platform Developer track.

Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
PDII - Platform Developer IIAdvanced Apex, asynchronous processing, integrations, and hands-on assignment
Alternative Paths

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How to study for this exam?

The most effective way to prepare for PDI 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: 2024-06-15
Updates
  • Apex Language v62.0 (Winter '25) Platform Developer I covers foundational Apex - version updates typically don't affect exam content significantly • Release date: 2024-10-01
  • Visualforce Current Visualforce remains important exam topic despite Lightning Web Components growth • Release date: Ongoing maintenance
  • Lightning Aura Components Current Basic understanding required for Platform Developer I, covered in User Interface section • Release date: Ongoing

Who should take this exam?

  • One to two years of experience as a developer
  • At least six months of experience on the Lightning Platform
  • Experience with object-oriented programming languages
  • Experience with data-driven applications and relational databases
  • Experience with MVC and component-based architecture
  • Completion of recommended training courses (DEV 450, CRT 450)
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