Salesforce Marketing Cloud Developer certification Exam
If you’re aiming to validate your skills in building customized marketing solutions using Salesforce Marketing Cloud, the Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer Exam is the right certification for you. This exam demonstrates your expertise in developing scalable, secure, and integrated applications within the Marketing Cloud platform.
What You Will Learn
By preparing for and passing this exam, you will gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in:
Designing and implementing Marketing Cloud applications using AMPscript, Server-Side JavaScript (SSJS), and APIs.
Creating dynamic content and personalized customer journeys.
Managing data and integrations with Marketing Cloud Data Extensions and Contact Builder.
Automating marketing processes with Automation Studio and Journey Builder.
Applying best practices for security, performance, and error handling in Marketing Cloud development.
Utilizing REST and SOAP APIs to extend the platform’s capabilities.
Troubleshooting common issues and optimizing email deliverability.
This certification ensures you are capable of developing effective marketing solutions that improve customer engagement and drive business growth.
Who Should Take This Exam?
The Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer Exam is designed for:
Marketing Cloud developers who customize and extend Marketing Cloud functionality.
Technical consultants and solution architects who implement Marketing Cloud solutions.
Salesforce professionals responsible for integrating Marketing Cloud with other Salesforce products or external systems.
Developers with intermediate to advanced knowledge of AMPscript, SSJS, and API integration within Marketing Cloud.
Anyone pursuing a career as a Marketing Cloud Developer or aiming to validate their Marketing Cloud technical expertise.
Having hands-on experience with Marketing Cloud development and familiarity with email marketing concepts will greatly benefit candidates preparing for this exam.
Topics Covered in the Exam
The exam covers a range of topics to test your practical skills and theoretical knowledge:
Marketing Cloud Fundamentals: Platform architecture, navigation, and key features.
Data Modeling and Management: Data Extensions, Attribute Groups, and Contact Builder relationships.
Content Creation and Personalization: AMPscript, SSJS, dynamic content blocks, and personalization strategies.
APIs and Integrations: REST API, SOAP API, authentication, and common integration patterns.
Automation and Journeys: Automation Studio, Journey Builder, and triggered sends.
Testing and Debugging: Methods to validate AMPscript and troubleshoot errors.
Security and Compliance: Best practices for securing data and maintaining compliance.
Performance Optimization: Improving email delivery, response times, and system efficiency.
Familiarity with these topics is essential to pass the exam and apply your skills effectively in real-world projects.
Why Choose Exam Sage for Your Salesforce Marketing Cloud Developer Exam Prep?
At Exam Sage, we understand the demands of Salesforce certification exams and offer tailored resources to help you succeed. Here’s why Exam Sage is your best partner for Marketing Cloud Developer exam preparation:
Comprehensive Practice Tests: Access a vast library of up-to-date, challenging multiple-choice questions that mirror the actual exam’s difficulty.
Detailed Explanations: Each question includes thorough answer explanations to deepen your understanding and clarify complex concepts.
Regularly Updated Content: Our materials reflect the latest Salesforce exam blueprints and platform updates.
User-Friendly Interface: Practice anytime, anywhere, on any device with our responsive and intuitive platform.
Performance Tracking: Identify your strengths and weaknesses with progress reports and customized study recommendations.
Expert Support: Get assistance from Salesforce-certified professionals who can guide your study plan.
Preparing with Exam Sage not only boosts your confidence but also increases your chances of passing on your first attempt, saving you time and effort.
If you’re serious about advancing your Marketing Cloud development career, start your journey today with Exam Sage’s Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer practice exams and resources.
Sample Questions and Answers
1. Which scripting language is primarily used in Marketing Cloud to personalize content in emails?
A. JavaScript
B. AMPscript
C. SQL
D. Python
Answer: B. AMPscript
Explanation: AMPscript is specifically designed for Salesforce Marketing Cloud and is used to personalize email content, handle data, and dynamically create elements based on subscriber attributes.
2. Which data extension type allows marketers to store large amounts of data but does not support sending directly?
A. Filtered Data Extension
B. Sendable Data Extension
C. Non-Sendable Data Extension
D. Suppression List
Answer: C. Non-Sendable Data Extension
Explanation: Non-sendable data extensions are used to store data that is not directly tied to email sending but can be used for queries and AMPscript lookups.
3. In which scenario should you use SSJS over AMPscript?
A. Displaying a subscriber’s first name
B. Looping over an array of records from a data extension
C. Adding a first name merge field
D. Showing today’s date
Answer: B. Looping over an array of records from a data extension
Explanation: Server-Side JavaScript (SSJS) is more suitable for complex logic, such as loops and conditional flows, which are harder to manage in AMPscript.
4. What is the correct function in AMPscript to retrieve data from a data extension?
A. Retrieve
B. Lookup
C. Select
D. GetData
Answer: B. Lookup
Explanation: Lookup is used in AMPscript to pull a single value from a data extension based on specified keys.
5. Which SQL clause is used to combine rows from two or more tables, based on a related column between them?
A. UNION
B. JOIN
C. GROUP BY
D. HAVING
Answer: B. JOIN
Explanation: A JOIN combines rows from multiple tables based on a related column, essential for combining data across data extensions in Marketing Cloud SQL queries.
6. What feature in Marketing Cloud allows automatic sending of emails when a data extension is updated?
A. Journey Builder
B. Automation Studio
C. Triggered Sends
D. Contact Builder
Answer: C. Triggered Sends
Explanation: Triggered Sends automatically send emails based on an event, such as a data extension update or an API call.
7. What is the maximum number of records you can return in a single AMPscript LookupRows call?
A. 2000
B. 2500
C. 4000
D. 5000
Answer: A. 2000
Explanation: The LookupRows function in AMPscript returns a maximum of 2000 records at a time.
8. In SSJS, which function is used to retrieve records from a data extension?
A. Platform.Function.LookupRows
B. QueryAll
C. DataExtension.Retrieve
D. Rows.Lookup
Answer: A. Platform.Function.LookupRows
Explanation: This function is used within the SSJS Platform.Function library to retrieve rows from a data extension.
9. What is the purpose of the NOW() function in AMPscript?
A. Returns current system timestamp
B. Returns current subscriber key
C. Returns the email send time
D. Returns campaign ID
Answer: A. Returns current system timestamp
Explanation: NOW() returns the current server date and time, useful for timestamping actions or dynamic content.
10. What does the ‘Primary Key’ in a data extension do?
A. Limits the number of records
B. Identifies rows as unique
C. Restricts data send
D. Encrypts personal data
Answer: B. Identifies rows as unique
Explanation: The primary key ensures uniqueness of each row, preventing duplication of key values.
11. What data format is returned from a REST API call in Marketing Cloud by default?
A. XML
B. YAML
C. CSV
D. JSON
Answer: D. JSON
Explanation: Marketing Cloud REST API returns responses in JSON format for ease of integration with other systems.
12. What is the benefit of using Query Activity in Automation Studio?
A. To filter sendable subscribers
B. To execute AMPscript
C. To insert or update data using SQL
D. To send emails based on time
Answer: C. To insert or update data using SQL
Explanation: Query Activities are used to perform SQL operations on data extensions as part of an automation.
13. Which two types of relationships are supported in Contact Builder? (Choose two)
A. One-to-One
B. Many-to-Many
C. One-to-Many
D. Self-referencing
Answers: A. One-to-One, C. One-to-Many
Explanation: Contact Builder supports one-to-one and one-to-many relationships for linking data extensions.
14. What is a key benefit of Data Views in Marketing Cloud?
A. Personalizing email content
B. Automating email sends
C. Accessing send history and subscriber behavior
D. Tracking inventory levels
Answer: C. Accessing send history and subscriber behavior
Explanation: Data Views are system tables that track events like sends, opens, and clicks.
15. Which function is used in AMPscript to set a value into a variable?
A. @Set
B. SetValue
C. SET
D. Define
Answer: C. SET
Explanation: The SET function assigns values to AMPscript variables.
16. What is the default behavior of a SQL query in Marketing Cloud if the destination DE has a primary key and a matching record is found?
A. It deletes the record
B. It duplicates the record
C. It updates the record
D. It replaces the record
Answer: C. It updates the record
Explanation: If the primary key matches, Marketing Cloud updates the existing record during a SQL query.
17. What tool allows developers to create and debug SSJS code in Marketing Cloud?
A. Contact Builder
B. Email Studio
C. CloudPages Code Resource
D. Data Designer
Answer: C. CloudPages Code Resource
Explanation: Developers use CloudPages with Code Resources to build and debug SSJS scripts.
18. Which of the following is not a valid data type for a data extension column?
A. Decimal
B. EmailAddress
C. ZipCode
D. Boolean
Answer: C. ZipCode
Explanation: “ZipCode” is not a valid data type; instead, it should be stored as Text.
19. How can you suppress specific subscribers from an email send?
A. Send Logging
B. Suppression List
C. Publication List
D. Exclusion Script
Answer: B. Suppression List
Explanation: Suppression lists exclude specific email addresses from a send, regardless of other list memberships.
20. What AMPscript function outputs HTML code?
A. ConcatHTML
B. V
C. Output
D. HTML
Answer: C. Output
Explanation: Output in AMPscript renders and displays the resulting content in the email or landing page.
21. What feature enables the management of different versions of content based on subscriber attributes?
A. Content Blocks
B. Dynamic Content
C. Send Logs
D. Contact Builder
Answer: B. Dynamic Content
Explanation: Dynamic content allows different email versions based on rules and subscriber data.
22. Which REST API resource allows sending transactional messages?
A. /messageDefinitionSends
B. /data/v1/customobjectdata
C. /email/v1/send
D. /asset/v1/email
Answer: A. /messageDefinitionSends
Explanation: This REST resource sends triggered messages defined in Marketing Cloud.
23. What function in AMPscript should you use to retrieve the value of a subscriber attribute?
A. RetrieveAttr
B. Attribute
C. Lookup
D. AttributeValue
Answer: D. AttributeValue
Explanation: AttributeValue fetches subscriber attributes during email sends.
24. What is the correct method to write comments in AMPscript?
A. // Comment
B. /* Comment */
C. %%– Comment –%%
D. <!– Comment –>
Answer: C. %%– Comment –%%
Explanation: This syntax is used for AMPscript comments.
25. What is the maximum number of primary keys you can assign in a Data Extension?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 10
Answer: C. 5
Explanation: You can define up to five primary keys in a data extension.
26. Which function in AMPscript allows parsing of JSON data?
A. ParseJSON
B. TreatAsContent
C. BuildRowSetFromJSON
D. JSONParse
Answer: C. BuildRowSetFromJSON
Explanation: This function parses a JSON string into a rowset.
27. Which language can be used in CloudPages alongside SSJS for server-side scripting?
A. PHP
B. Python
C. Node.js
D. AMPscript
Answer: D. AMPscript
Explanation: Both AMPscript and SSJS can be used in CloudPages.
28. Which tool provides a visual interface to automate email sends, data extracts, and SQL queries?
A. Automation Studio
B. Email Studio
C. Journey Builder
D. Contact Builder
Answer: A. Automation Studio
Explanation: Automation Studio automates processes like queries, extracts, and email sends.
29. What is the purpose of the RaiseError function in AMPscript?
A. Suppresses all error messages
B. Stops AMPscript execution on error
C. Sends an error report to the admin
D. Silently logs the error
Answer: B. Stops AMPscript execution on error
Explanation: RaiseError halts script execution when an error occurs, useful for debugging or controlling flow.
30. What is the standard data retention policy in Marketing Cloud for tracking data like opens and clicks?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 180 days
D. 14 months
Answer: D. 14 months
Explanation: Tracking data such as opens and clicks is retained by default for 14 months.
