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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Pegasystems
Exam Format
90 min
60
70%
Professional
Registration
$200 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English, Spanish, Japanese
Validity
Lifetime (no expiration)
Not required - certification does not expire; Optional upgrade to newer versions when released
PEGAPCSSA87V1 Exam Topics and Domains
PEGAPCSSA87V1 is organized into 9 weighted domains. Expect to work with Application Structure, Deployment Manager, Queue Processor, Access Control Policy, and more.
1
Application Development
28%
Enterprise Class Structure
Define Enterprise Class StructureApplication Creation and Configuration
- Define the Enterprise Class Structure
- Create an application with the New Application wizard
- Understand the rule resolution process and adjust rule availability
- Configure and validate application rulesets
Rule Resolution and Circumstancing
Rule Resolution ProcessCircumstancing
- Identify how circumstancing affects application behavior
- Circumstance rules on single or multiple variables
- Optimize rule resolution performance
Advanced Development Features
Background ProcessingActivities and Automation
- Differentiate between queue processor and job scheduler
- Identify the role of activities in case processing
- Automate actions when property values change
Development Best Practices
Reusability and Versioning
- Promote rule reuse with relevant records
- Identify impacts of application versioning
- Branch rulesets for parallel development
2
Data and Integration
19%
Data Management
Data PagesData Transforms
- Design efficient data models
- Configure data pages for optimal performance
- Implement complex data transformations
Integration Architecture
Service IntegrationIntegration Patterns
- Configure REST and SOAP integrations
- Implement error handling and recovery
- Design scalable integration architectures
Database Operations
Database Class Mapping
- Configure database class mappings
- Optimize database performance
- Integrate with external databases
3
Security
16%
Access Control
Role-Based Access ControlAttribute-Based Access ControlClient-Based Access Control
- Implement role-based access control
- Configure attribute-based access control
- Secure API access with OAuth
Data Security
Data EncryptionAttachment Security
- Implement data encryption
- Manage secure attachments
- Configure security policies
4
Case Management
12%
Advanced Case Design
Case Type ArchitectureCase Processing
- Design complex case structures
- Implement advanced case processing
- Optimize case lifecycle
Service Level Agreements
SLA Configuration
- Configure complex SLAs
- Implement escalation logic
- Monitor SLA compliance
5
Performance
7%
Performance Analysis
Performance ToolsSystem Performance
- Measure system performance
- Debug performance issues
- Review and analyze logs
Performance Optimization
Optimization Techniques
- Implement performance optimizations
- Configure caching
- Tune database queries
6
User Experience
5%
UI Architecture
Pega Web MashupAuthentication Configuration
- Create and customize Pega Web Mashups
- Configure authentication services
- Implement SSO solutions
7
Reporting
5%
Advanced Reporting
Complex ReportsReport Design
- Design reports with multiple sources
- Implement associations and joins
- Optimize report performance
8
Mobility
5%
Mobile Application Design
Mobile Delivery OptionsMobile Optimization
- Design applications for mobile devices
- Implement offline capability
- Configure push notifications
9
DevOps and Deployment
8%
Deployment Management
Deployment Pipeline
- Configure deployment pipelines
- Implement CI/CD practices
- Manage application packages
How do I earn this certification?
Passing PEGAPCSSA87V1 earns the Pega Certified Senior System Architect certification. It sits in the Pega System Architecture track.
Next Level Options
PEGAPCLSA88V1 - Pega Certified Lead System Architect 8.8
Alternative Paths
- PEGAPCBA87V1 - Pega Certified Business Architect 8.7 Business-focused certification for BPM expertise
- PEGAPCDC88V1 - Pega Certified Decisioning Consultant 8.8 Specialization in AI and decisioning
- PEGAPCRA87V1 - Pega Certified Robotics Architect 8.7 RPA and automation specialization
- PEGAPCDS87V1 - Pega Certified Data Scientist 8.7 Advanced analytics and machine learning
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 PEGAPCSSA87V1 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: 2024-06-01
- Announcement date: 2022-10-01
Updates
- GenAI Blueprint Infinity 24 May be included in future exam updates • Release date: 2024-12-01
- Constellation UI 8.8+ Currently supplementary, may become core topic • Release date: 2024-01-01
- DX API 8.7+ Included in integration topics • Release date: 2023-06-01
- Deployment Manager 5.0 Part of DevOps domain • Release date: 2024-03-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Senior System Architects and Lead Developers.
Pega Certified System Architect (PCSA) certification in any version
- 2+ years hands-on Pega development experience
- Completion of Senior System Architect 8.7 training course
- Experience with enterprise application architecture
- Understanding of Pega Platform 8.x features
- Familiarity with integration patterns and security concepts