Free Salesforce Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect Practice Test Questions
118 questionsUpdated 13-Nov-20268 topics
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TopicTesting
Question 1Choose 2
Universal Containers has 80% code coverage. Despite the creation of a test plan for each sprint, the number of
defects is large.
What two items should the architect recommend to reduce defects? Choose 2 answers
Correct answer:
A. The test script should be used to define the test classes.
C. The acceptance criteria should have more details.
Explanation
Universal Containers has 80% code coverage yet a high defect count. This signals that coverage exists but is not meaningful — tests aren't validating real business scenarios, and requirements are ambiguous.
A is correct because test classes should be derived from the test scripts in the test plan. Test scripts define the actual business scenarios, positive/negative paths, and edge cases. When developers build test classes from these scripts, tests validate real behavior rather than merely executing lines of code to hit a coverage number. This catches defects earlier and improves test quality — not just quantity.
C is correct because vague acceptance criteria are a primary root cause of defects. When criteria lack specifics (validation rules, required fields, error handling, boundary conditions), developers and testers interpret requirements differently, producing mismatched implementations and missed scenarios. Detailed, testable acceptance criteria align everyone and reduce ambiguity-driven rework.
Together, A and C attack the root causes: poor requirements and weak test design — not the symptom (coverage percentage).
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B (increase coverage to 95%) — Salesforce requires only 75% coverage for production deployment. Chasing 95% encourages low-value "coverage-padding" tests that assert nothing meaningful, inflating numbers without reducing defects.
B (test analyst must create test classes) — This role constraint isn't a recognized best practice. Developers typically own Apex test classes (they know the code); test analysts own the test plan. Merging roles creates bottlenecks and doesn't inherently improve quality.
References
* Salesforce Developer Docs – Apex Testing: "Testing Best Practices" (test positive/negative cases, bulk testing, use TestDataFactory).
Question 2Choose 1
Northern Trail Outfitter ' s development team has built new features for its sales team in the Asia-Pacific
region. While testing the Apex classes, the developers are constantly hitting the governor limits.
What should the architect recommend during the review to address this issue?
Correct answer:
A. Use test.startTest() and test.stopTest() methods to reset governor limits.
Explanation
During Apex testing, developers often hit governor limits because test methods execute in the same transaction context as setup data creation and assertions. Salesforce provides Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() to address this.
When a test method calls Test.startTest(), Salesforce resets the governor limits for the code that follows, giving that block a fresh set of limits. This isolates the actual code being tested from the setup work (data creation) that ran before it. Test.stopTest() marks the end of that block and also forces any asynchronous jobs (future methods, batch, queueable) to execute synchronously so they can be asserted.
This is the official, recommended Salesforce pattern to avoid governor limit failures in tests and to properly test code.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B. AppExchange product to increase governor limits — No AppExchange product can raise Salesforce governor limits. These limits are enforced by the platform and cannot be temporarily increased by third-party tools.
C. Auto reset property during off-hours — There is no such feature. Governor limits reset per transaction, not on a time-based schedule.
D. Test.setLimit() and Test.resetLimit() — These methods do not exist in Apex. This is a fabricated option.
References
* Salesforce Developer Docs – Apex Testing: Using Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() — "Using startTest and stopTest to Test Governor Limits."
* Apex Developer Guide – Execution Governors and Limits: Limits are per-transaction and reset with Test.startTest().
Question 3Choose 2
Which two statements are accurate about why Mock objects are needed when writing test classes? Choose 2
answers
Correct answer:
A. Mock is needed whenever the code makes an HTTP callout.
D. Using a Mock allows the test class to bypass the dependencies of other objects, methods, state, or
behaviors. Therefore, the developer has total control of his own code.
Explanation
Mock objects in Apex testing serve two core purposes: isolating external dependencies and avoiding real callouts during tests.
A is correct because Apex tests cannot make real HTTP callouts by default. Salesforce blocks external callouts in test context to keep tests deterministic and fast. Developers must implement the HttpCalloutMock interface and register it using Test.setMock() so the code under test receives a simulated response instead of making an actual external call. Without a mock, any test hitting a callout fails with a "callout not allowed" error.
D is correct because the fundamental purpose of mocking is dependency isolation. By replacing real dependencies (external services, other classes, stateful objects) with controlled mock implementations, the developer eliminates variables outside their control and can test their own logic in isolation. This produces deterministic, repeatable, and focused unit tests — the developer controls inputs and outputs precisely.
Together, A and D capture the two legitimate reasons for mocking: callout simulation and dependency isolation.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Using Mock as a shortcut to bypass long-running processes — Mocking is not a shortcut to skip slow code. Tests should validate actual logic; bypassing long-running processes via mocks to save time is not the purpose of mocking and can hide defects. Long-running logic should be tested separately or with Test.startTest()/Test.stopTest().
C. Mock can bypass batch jobs on classes extending Batchable — This is incorrect. Batchable classes are tested by calling Database.executeBatch() within Test.startTest()/Test.stopTest(), which forces synchronous execution. There is no standard Mock mechanism to "bypass" batch jobs; batch Apex must actually run in tests to be validated.
References
Apex Developer Guide – Testing HTTP Callouts: Implementing HttpCalloutMock and Test.setMock() — "You can't make callouts to external services from a test method unless you use a mock."
Question 4Choose 2
Which are two recommended methods of creating test data in Salesforce? Choose 2 answers
Correct answer:
C. Host a mock endpoint to produce sample information from an endpoint.
D. Load a CSV as a static resource and reference it in a test class.
Explanation
Salesforce recommends creating test data in ways that are deterministic, isolated, and self-contained within the test class, so tests never depend on live external systems or org state.
D is correct because loading a CSV as a Static Resource and parsing it in a test class is a documented, repeatable method for supplying sample records. The data is version-controlled, portable across sandboxes, and requires no live callout — making tests reliable and independent of org data.
C is correct because hosting a mock endpoint (or using HttpCalloutMock/Test.setMock() to simulate one) lets the test class supply sample response data for HTTP callout logic without hitting a real external service. This keeps tests self-contained and satisfies the platform rule that Apex tests cannot make real callouts.
Both methods provide controlled, reusable test data that doesn't rely on live dependencies.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Heroku Connect — This is a real-time data synchronization tool between Salesforce and Heroku Postgres. It is not a test data creation method, and tests must never depend on live external sync services — this would make tests non-deterministic and slow.
B. Reference data from middleware directly — Apex tests cannot make real callouts, so pulling data directly from middleware violates the callout restriction and introduces external dependencies. Test data must be created or mocked within the test, not fetched live.
References
Apex Developer Guide – Testing Best Practices: "Create test data for each test" and "Use Static Resources to load test data."
Apex Developer Guide – Test.loadData(): Loading CSV test data from a Static Resource.
Question 5Choose 1
Cloud Kicks is considering using an automated testing tool to help manage deployments between
environments.
When should the architect recommend the use of an automated testing tool?
Correct answer:
A. Automated tests should be run when branches are merged.
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Automated tests should be run when branches are merged. In a Salesforce development and deployment process, automated testing should be integrated into the version-control workflow so that changes are validated before they are merged into the shared branch. Running tests at merge points helps identify defects, integration issues, and breaking changes before they are promoted to other environments. This provides a consistent quality gate without requiring unnecessary daily test runs across every Developer Org.
Why the other options are incorrect
B. Automated tests should be run daily in all Developer Orgs. – Running automated tests every day in all Developer Orgs is not required as a standard deployment practice. Developer Orgs can contain work in progress, and daily testing across all of them can consume resources without providing the same quality gate as testing changes when they are merged.
C. Automated tests should be run only when merging into Full or Partial Copy sandboxes. – Automated testing should not be limited to merges into Full or Partial Copy sandboxes. Testing should occur as part of the source-control and integration process before changes are merged, regardless of whether the destination environment is a Full or Partial Copy sandbox.
D. Automated tests should be run daily in all Developer Orgs, and when branches are merged. – This option adds an unnecessary requirement to run automated tests daily in every Developer Org. The key recommendation is to integrate automated testing with the branch merge process, where changes are validated before becoming part of the shared codebase.
Reference
Salesforce Developer Guide: Salesforce DX Development Lifecycle — source-driven development, version control, and automated testing. Salesforce DevOps Center documentation: Development workflows and validating changes before deployment. Salesforce Trailhead: Salesforce Development Lifecycle and Source Control.
TopicReleasing
Question 6Choose 1
Universal Containers has many development teams deploying into a single org. The business is very seasonal
and approaching its busiest season. The business owner comes to you asking for your advice about its next
major production release.
What best practice should an architect recommend?
Correct answer:
C. Avoid releasing near peak business periods.
Explanation
Universal Containers is highly seasonal and approaching its busiest period. A major production release near peak business season introduces significant risk: if the release causes defects, performance issues, or downtime, the business could suffer lost revenue and customer impact during its most critical window.
The recognized ALM best practice is to freeze deployments / avoid major releases during peak business periods. Instead, schedule releases for a low-traffic window so that:
* Any issues can be detected and resolved without impacting peak business.
* Rollback/remediation can happen with minimal business disruption.
* Support and engineering teams are fully available (not consumed by peak operations).
This is a standard release governance recommendation in Salesforce ALM and enterprise change management.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Make declarative changes in production only — This violates ALM best practice. Changes should flow through sandboxes and version control, never be made directly in production. Direct production changes bypass testing and audit trails, increasing risk — especially dangerous before peak season.
B. Bypass regression testing for minor changes — Regression testing should never be bypassed, even for "minor" changes. Untested changes can break existing functionality, and before peak season the risk is magnified. Skipping regression testing contradicts quality governance.
D. Developers should conduct user acceptance testing — UAT must be performed by business users/stakeholders, not developers. Developers testing their own work creates bias and misses business-level validation. This is a clear separation-of-duties violation.
Universal Containers is about to begin the release of a major project. To facilitate this, they have several
sandboxes to make their deployment train. These sandboxes are a mix of preview and non- preview instances.
What should the architect recommend?
Correct answer:
A. Refresh all non-preview sandboxes during the release preview window.
Explanation
When a major Salesforce release is approaching, orgs that participate in preview get the new release first, while non-preview sandboxes stay on the current (old) version until the release is rolled out to production. This creates a version mismatch: preview sandboxes run the new release, but non-preview sandboxes still run the old release.
For a deployment train (a chain of sandboxes used to promote changes toward production), this mismatch is a serious problem. If non-preview sandboxes remain on the old version while preview sandboxes are on the new version, testing and deployments may behave inconsistently, and changes validated in preview may not behave the same in non-preview.
The architect should recommend refreshing all non-preview sandboxes during the release preview window so the entire deployment train runs on the same release version. This ensures:
* Consistent behavior across all environments in the train.
* Testing reflects what production will run after the release.
* Deployments don't fail due to version differences.
Aligning all sandboxes to the same release during the preview window is the standard ALM recommendation.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B. No advice needed; mixing instance types is important for regression testing — Mixing preview and non-preview instances is not desirable for a deployment train. Version mismatches cause inconsistent test results and deployment failures. It's not a deliberate regression-testing strategy.
C. Refresh all non-preview sandboxes when the release management team has time — Timing matters. Refreshes must happen during the preview window, not "whenever there's time." Waiting until after the preview window means the sandboxes may already be on the new release (or misaligned), defeating the purpose and risking deployment failures.
D. Contact support to rollback the release when Salesforce upgrades the sandboxes — Salesforce does not roll back releases on request. Sandbox upgrades to a new release are irreversible. This is not a valid option and reflects a misunderstanding of the release process.
References
* Salesforce Help – Preview Sandboxes and Release Windows: Preview vs. non-preview instance behavior during releases.
* Salesforce Trailhead – Application Lifecycle Management: Aligning sandboxes to the same release during preview.
Question 8Choose 1
Universal Containers (UC) has multiple development teams that work on separate streams of work, with
different timelines. Each stream has different releases of code and config, and the delivery dates differ
between them.
What is a suitable branching policy to recommend?
Correct answer:
A. GitHub flow
Explanation
When a major Salesforce release is approaching, orgs that participate in preview get the new release first, while non-preview sandboxes stay on the current (old) version until the release is rolled out to production. This creates a version mismatch: preview sandboxes run the new release, but non-preview sandboxes still run the old release.
For a deployment train (a chain of sandboxes used to promote changes toward production), this mismatch is a serious problem. If non-preview sandboxes remain on the old version while preview sandboxes are on the new version, testing and deployments may behave inconsistently, and changes validated in preview may not behave the same in non-preview.
The architect should recommend refreshing all non-preview sandboxes during the release preview window so the entire deployment train runs on the same release version. This ensures:
* Consistent behavior across all environments in the train.
* Testing reflects what production will run after the release.
* Deployments don't fail due to version differences.
Aligning all sandboxes to the same release during the preview window is the standard ALM recommendation.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B. No advice needed; mixing instance types is important for regression testing — Mixing preview and non-preview instances is not desirable for a deployment train. Version mismatches cause inconsistent test results and deployment failures. It's not a deliberate regression-testing strategy.
C. Refresh all non-preview sandboxes when the release management team has time — Timing matters. Refreshes must happen during the preview window, not "whenever there's time." Waiting until after the preview window means the sandboxes may already be on the new release (or misaligned), defeating the purpose and risking deployment failures.
D. Contact support to rollback the release when Salesforce upgrades the sandboxes — Salesforce does not roll back releases on request. Sandbox upgrades to a new release are irreversible. This is not a valid option and reflects a misunderstanding of the release process.
References
Salesforce Help – Preview Sandboxes and Release Windows: Preview vs. non-preview instance behavior during releases.
Salesforce Trailhead – Application Lifecycle Management: Aligning sandboxes to the same release during preview.
TopicBuilding
Question 9Choose 1
Universal Containers (UC) uses a managed package to install an internal Sales app in five orgs. Within each
org there are integrations and local processes with the objects of the managed package. UC wants to use
unlocked packages for better integration with CI/CD processes.
What would the Salesforce architect recommend for this migration
Correct answer:
D. Migrate all classes, Visualforce, and components from the managed package to the unlocked package.
Install the new version of the managed package (objects/fields only) and the unlocked package with the
other components.
Explanation
UC wants to move to unlocked packages for better CI/CD integration, but the managed package contains objects and fields — and this is the critical constraint. Data lives in the objects/fields. If you uninstall the managed package, all data in its objects is deleted, which is catastrophic for a live org with integrations and local processes.
The correct migration strategy is a hybrid/separation approach:
1. Keep the managed package installed for its objects and fields — install a new version of the managed package that contains only the objects/fields (the data model). This preserves all existing data and relationships.
2. Migrate the code components — Apex classes, Visualforce pages, Lightning components — out of the managed package into unlocked packages. These components don't hold data, so moving them is safe.
3. Adopt unlocked packages for the code so UC gains the CI/CD benefits it wants (source-driven, version-controlled, pipeline-friendly) — while the data model remains protected inside the managed package.
This avoids data loss while achieving the CI/CD goal.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Export data, uninstall managed package, install unlocked package with the same namespace, restore data — Uninstalling the managed package deletes the data, and you cannot reuse a managed package's namespace for an unlocked package (namespaces are tied to the package type/publisher). Even with export/restore, this is risky, complex, and may not fully restore relationships or references. It also breaks integrations during the migration window.
B. Export data, uninstall, install unlocked package without namespace, restore data — Same core problem: uninstalling deletes the data, and dropping the namespace breaks all references from integrations, local processes, and code that expect the namespace. This is highly disruptive and error-prone.
C. Do not change to unlocked package; all CI/CD can be done with the managed package — This ignores UC's explicit requirement to use unlocked packages for better CI/CD integration. While managed packages can participate in CI/CD to a degree, they are less flexible for source-driven pipelines. This option doesn't meet the business goal.
References
Salesforce Developer Docs – Unlocked Packages vs. Managed Packages: Differences in CI/CD support, namespaces, and data behavior.
Salesforce Developer Docs – Uninstalling a Package: Uninstalling deletes the package's data and components.
Question 10Choose 1
At Universal Containers, Salesforce administrators are making changes to the permission sets under
instruction from the business. Randomly, various SOQL statements are failing.
What strategy could be advised to bring this issue to the developer ' s attention earlier?
Correct answer:
A. Extract each permission set, commit and merge to source control, and run through CI checks.
Explanation
The problem: administrators make permission set changes directly (likely in production or without tracking), and these changes cause SOQL statements to fail — almost certainly because permission sets control object and field-level access (CRUD/FLS). If a permission set removes access to an object or field that a SOQL query references, the query fails at runtime with an access-related error.
The root cause is that permission set changes are not tracked, reviewed, or tested before they affect code. The fix is to bring these changes into the source-driven, CI-monitored pipeline:
* Extract each permission set to source control so changes are versioned and visible.
* Commit and merge them through the normal branching process.
* Run CI checks — including Apex tests and static analysis — which will fail early if a permission change breaks a SOQL query or removes required field access.
This surfaces the problem earlier in the lifecycle (in CI, not production), which is exactly what the question asks for.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Ask administrators to only make changes to profiles instead — Profiles have the same access-control impact as permission sets (they also grant/revoke object and field access). Switching to profiles doesn't solve the problem and actually goes against Salesforce's strategic direction (permission sets are preferred over profiles). It's a lateral move that doesn't improve early detection.
C. Create a sandbox refresh strategy to refresh every sandbox daily — Daily sandbox refreshes are impractical, expensive, and slow, and they don't address the root cause. Refreshing a sandbox doesn't track permission changes or run CI checks — it just resets data. It won't bring the issue to the developer's attention earlier in a controlled way.
D. Advise developers to switch to SOSL queries — SOSL doesn't bypass FLS/CRUD any more than SOQL does. Switching query languages doesn't fix permission-related failures and is a misguided workaround. The issue is access control, not query type.
References
Salesforce Trailhead – Application Lifecycle Management: Source-driven development and CI for metadata (including permission sets).
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Salesforce Certified Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect Exam Overview
Old Name: Salesforce Certified Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect
Key Facts:
Exam Questions: 60
Type of Questions: MCQs
Exam Time: 120 minutes
Exam Price: $400
Passing Score: 65%
Key Topics:
1. System Design: 15% of exam
2. Building: 14% of exam
3. Deploying: 14% of exam
4. Planning: 13% of exam
5. Testing: 13% of exam
6. Releasing: 13% of exam
7. Operating: 10% of exam
8. Application Lifecycle Management: 8% of exam
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