PD1 Practice Test 2026 — free exam prep

PD1 Practice Test

Updated October 2026

Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against Salesforce

The PD1 has 60 questions, takes about 105 minutes and costs $200[1] (Salesforce, verified Oct 25, 2026).

  • The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam has 60 multiple-choice questions plus up to five unscored questions.[1]
  • The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam allows 105 minutes.[1]
  • The passing score for the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam is 68%.[1]
  • The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam registration fee is US$200 (JPY¥30,000) plus applicable taxes.[1]
  • The retake fee for the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam is US$100 (JPY¥15,000) plus applicable taxes.[1]
  • The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam is a proctored exam delivered onsite at a testing center or in an online environment.[1]
  • The Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam has no prerequisite and is a prerequisite to the Platform Developer II exam.[1]

Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

PD1 Exam at a Glance

ItemDetailSource · Verified
Number of questions60 multiple-choice questions + up to 5 unscored[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
Time limit105 minutes[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
Passing score68%[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
Exam feeUS$200 plus taxes[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
Retake feeUS$100 plus taxes[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
DeliveryProctored at a testing center or online[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026
EligibilityNo prerequisite; prerequisite for Platform Developer II[1]Salesforce · Oct 25, 2026

What changed for PD1 in 2026

  • Oct 25, 2026: Passing score changed to 68% (previously passing score: 68%).[1]
  • Oct 25, 2026: Exam fee changed to US$200 plus taxes (previously registration fee: USD 200 (JPY 30,000) + taxes).[1]
  • Oct 25, 2026: Retake fee changed to US$100 plus taxes (previously retake fee: USD 100 (JPY 15,000) + taxes).[1]
  • Oct 25, 2026: Delivery changed to Proctored at a testing center or online (previously format: 60 MC/MS + up to 5 unscored, 105 min).[1]
  • Oct 25, 2026: Eligibility changed to No prerequisite; prerequisite for Platform Developer II (previously prerequisite: None; PD1 is prerequisite for PDII).[1]

The Salesforce PD1 credential is a foundational certification for developers building custom business logic and interfaces on the Lightning Platform. Practice with the free Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).

Free Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 Study Tools

Interactive Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

Ace the PD1 Test: Your Guide to Salesforce Success - Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 preparation guide

According to Salesforce, “Content: 60 multiple-choice questions and up to five unscored questions”[1]

PD1 Practice Test Questions

Prepare for the PD1 - Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.

PD1 Apex Programming

PD1 Exam Questions covering Apex Programming. Master PD1 Test concepts for certification prep.

PD1 Data Modeling and Management

Free PD1 Practice Test featuring Data Modeling and Management. Improve your PD1 Exam score with mock test prep.

PD1 Deployment & Operations

PD1 Mock Exam on Deployment & Operations. PD1 Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

PD1 Deployment Strategies

PD1 Test Prep for Deployment Strategies. Practice PD1 Quiz questions and boost your score.

PD1 Developer Fundamentals

PD1 Questions and Answers on Developer Fundamentals. Free PD1 practice for exam readiness.

PD1 Development Methodologies

PD1 Mock Test covering Development Methodologies. Online PD1 Test practice with instant feedback.

PD1 Integration Architecture

Free PD1 Quiz on Integration Architecture. PD1 Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.

PD1 Lightning Components

PD1 Practice Questions for Lightning Components. Build confidence for your PD1 certification exam.

PD1 Process Automation & Logic

PD1 Test Online for Process Automation & Logic. Free practice with instant results and feedback.

PD1 Security Model

PD1 Study Material on Security Model. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.

PD1 Software Design & Architecture

Free PD1 Test covering Software Design & Architecture. Practice and track your PD1 exam readiness.

PD1 SOQL and SOSL

PD1 Exam Questions covering SOQL and SOSL. Master PD1 Test concepts for certification prep.

PD1 Testing and Debugging

Free PD1 Practice Test featuring Testing and Debugging. Improve your PD1 Exam score with mock test prep.

PD1 Testing, Debugging & Deployment

PD1 Mock Exam on Testing, Debugging & Deployment. PD1 Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

PD1 Testing & Quality Assurance

PD1 Test Prep for Testing & Quality Assurance. Practice PD1 Quiz questions and boost your score.

PD1 User Interface

PD1 Questions and Answers on User Interface. Free PD1 practice for exam readiness.

PD1 Visualforce Pages

PD1 Mock Test covering Visualforce Pages. Online PD1 Test practice with instant feedback.

Worked examples: how to reason through PD1 questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What role does collaboration play in visualforce pages for PD1 professionals?

  1. It slows down work unnecessarily
  2. It enhances outcomes through diverse perspectives and shared expertise
  3. It is only needed in emergencies
  4. It reduces individual accountability

Answer: B. It enhances outcomes through diverse perspectives and shared expertise

Explanation:

The correct answer is that collaboration enhances outcomes through diverse perspectives and shared expertise. Different people notice different problems, and a team that shares what it knows tends to produce stronger work than one person alone.

Collaboration does not slow work down unnecessarily; a little coordination usually saves rework later, so that option is wrong. It is not only for emergencies, because regular collaboration catches issues before they become emergencies. It does not reduce individual accountability either; people remain responsible for their own part while also sharing the result.

Rule to remember: when a question asks about teamwork, choose the option that treats shared knowledge as a regular strength, not an occasional fix or a burden.

Example 2

Question: What is the MOST effective approach to quality assurance in Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1?

  1. Inspecting finished work only at the final stage
  2. Integrating quality checks throughout the entire process from planning to completion
  3. Assigning quality responsibility to a single person
  4. Conducting quality reviews only when complaints are received

Answer: B. Integrating quality checks throughout the entire process from planning to completion

Explanation:

The correct answer is integrating quality checks throughout the whole process, from planning to completion. Problems found early are easier and cheaper to fix than problems found after the work is finished.

Inspecting only at the final stage is wrong because defects build up unseen and are costly to undo. Assigning quality to a single person is wrong because one person cannot see every step, and quality becomes everyone's job. Reviewing only when complaints arrive is wrong because it is reactive; the damage is already done by then.

Rule to remember: for quality questions, prefer continuous checks across the whole process over a single late inspection, a single owner, or a reaction to complaints.

Example 3

Question: Which factor MOST significantly affects the quality of technical outcomes in PD1 practice?

  1. The speed at which procedures are completed
  2. The practitioner's training, preparation, and attention to detail
  3. The brand of equipment being used
  4. The time of day the procedure is performed

Answer: B. The practitioner's training, preparation, and attention to detail

Explanation:

The correct answer is the practitioner's training, preparation and attention to detail. Skilled, well-prepared people produce reliable results even when conditions are not perfect.

The speed at which procedures are completed is wrong because rushing tends to lower quality, not raise it. The brand of equipment is wrong because tools matter, but a competent person gets more from ordinary tools than an unprepared person gets from the best ones. The time of day is wrong because it is a minor circumstance and not the main driver of the result.

Rule to remember: when a question asks what most affects quality, look for the human factor of competence and preparation before speed, tools or timing.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official exam guide from Salesforce so you know the format, the 105-minute limit and the 68% passing score. Then take one of our sets cold, before you study that topic, to see where you stand.

  1. Pick a starting point. If you write code daily, begin with PD1 Apex Programming and PD1 SOQL and SOSL. If you come from an admin background, begin with PD1 Data Modeling and Management.
  2. For every question you miss, write one line on why the right answer is right and why your choice was wrong. Then read the matching section of the official Salesforce documentation.
  3. Move on to PD1 Security Model, PD1 Lightning Components and PD1 Visualforce Pages, then the testing and deployment sets such as PD1 Testing and Debugging.
  4. Redo the sets where you scored lowest after a few days, not straight away, so you are recalling and not remembering the answers.
  5. In the last days, practise answering at an even pace against the clock, and read each question stem twice before you choose.

Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use them to find weak topics, not to predict the exam.

PD1 Exam Flashcards

Quick review for the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 exam

🏗️What is a key benefit of the Lightning Component Framework?

It uses a stateful client and stateless server architecture that relies on JavaScript on the client side to manage UI component metadata and application data.

START PD1 PRACTICE TEST

🔍What is SOQL used for in Salesforce?

Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) is used to search your organization’s Salesforce data for specific information.

REVIEW PD1 EXAM QUESTIONS

⚡When should you use Apex over declarative tools?

Use Apex when complex business logic cannot be implemented using declarative features like Flows or Validation Rules.

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🧪What is the minimum code coverage required for deployment?

At least 75% of your Apex code must be covered by unit tests, and all triggers must have some coverage.

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💾What is a key difference between SOSL and SOQL?

SOSL can search multiple objects simultaneously, while SOQL queries a single object or related objects.

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🔁What is the execution order of triggers and workflow rules?

Triggers execute before workflow rules. "Before" triggers run first, then validation rules, then "After" triggers, then workflow rules.

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PD1 Exam Study Guide

Use this tabbed PD1 study guide to understand the core components of the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 certification. It covers everything from exam basics to registration and results.

What is the PD1 certification?
The Salesforce PD1 certification validates a developer's skills in programmatic capabilities of the Lightning Platform, including Apex and Visualforce.
Who should take the PD1 exam?
Developers with experience building custom applications on the Salesforce platform who want to demonstrate their expertise should take the Salesforce PD1 exam.
Is the PD1 exam hard?
The PD1 test is challenging and requires practical experience. A mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on coding practice is essential for success.
What are the prerequisites for PD1?
There are no official prerequisites for the Salesforce Platform Developer 1 exam, but 6-12 months of development experience is recommended.

How to Become a PD1

The journey to becoming a Salesforce Platform Developer 1 involves mastering the basics of the Lightning Platform. While PD1 programs or bootcamps can help, many developers self-study using Trailhead and documentation.

  1. Create a Trailhead Academy Account - Sign up or log in at trailheadacademy.salesforce.com (your Trailblazer account).
  2. Select Exam - Choose "Salesforce Certified Platform Developer".
  3. Choose Format - Select a Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored (OnVUE).
  4. Pay Fee - Pay the $200 exam fee (or use a Salesforce PD1 voucher).
  5. Schedule - Pick a date and time that works for you.
  6. Prepare - Use PD1 practice test questions to verify readiness.
  7. Take Exam - Complete the 60-question test in 105 minutes.

With a potential salary increase of $15k-$20k, the total PD1 certification cost of roughly $200-$500 pays for itself in the first few months of employment.

Salesforce Pd1 Certification - Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 study guide
Ready to Pass Your PD1 Exam? - (PD1) Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1

PD1 Test Day Checklist

  • ✓Valid Government Photo ID (name must match booking)
  • ✓Trailhead Academy / Pearson VUE Login Info
  • ✓Clean Desk & Private Room (Online Proctor)
  • ✓Webcam & Mic Check
  • ✓Stable Internet Connection
  • ✓Run Pearson OnVUE System Test
  • ✓Arrive 15+ Min Early (Testing Center)
  • ✓Know the 24h/48h Reschedule Window

Ready to Pass Your PD1 Exam?

Join thousands of developers who have used our free PD1 practice test questions to become certified Salesforce Platform Developers.

✅Pros
  • +Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
  • +Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
  • +Demonstrates commitment to professional development
  • +Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
❌Cons
  • −Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
  • −Certification fees can be $100-$400+
  • −May require continuing education to maintain
  • −Some employers may not require certification

Official Resources

Sample Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

  1. What happens to test data created inside an Apex test method after the test completes?

    • A. It is permanently saved to the org
    • B. It is rolled back automatically
    • C. It is archived in a log file
    • D. It must be deleted manually in a cleanup method

Answer: B. It is rolled back automatically

Salesforce automatically rolls back all DML operations performed during a test method, leaving the org unchanged.

  • A developer uses Database.insert(records, false) in a test to allow partial success. How should the test validate which records failed?

    • A. Catch the DmlException thrown for failed records
    • B. Iterate the SaveResult list returned and check isSuccess() on each entry
    • C. Query the AsyncApexJob table for insert failures
    • D. Check System.lastException() after the insert call
  • Answer: B. Iterate the SaveResult list returned and check isSuccess() on each entry

    Database.insert() with allOrNone=false returns a list of SaveResult objects; calling isSuccess() on each reveals which records succeeded and which failed along with error details.

  • What happens if a test method contains a DML statement outside of Test.startTest()/Test.stopTest() and the DML count has already reached the limit?

    • A. Salesforce automatically wraps excess DML in a savepoint
    • B. A LimitException is thrown, failing the test
    • C. The DML is queued for execution after the test completes
    • D. Salesforce raises the DML limit silently for test context
  • Answer: B. A LimitException is thrown, failing the test

    Exceeding any governor limit, including DML statements, causes a LimitException that halts and fails the test method.

  • Which annotation must be placed on a test class or test method to allow it to run with the Apex test framework?

    • A. @AuraEnabled
    • B. @TestVisible
    • C. @isTest
    • D. @RemoteAction
  • Answer: C. @isTest

    @isTest marks a class or method as part of the test suite and prevents it from counting against the org's code size limit.

    Take the full Salesforce Certified Platform Developer 1 practice test

    PD1 Questions and Answers

    Sources & last verified

    1. Salesforce — number of questions, time limit, exam fee, passing score (official source). “Content: 60 multiple-choice questions and up to five unscored questions” Verified Oct 25, 2026.

    How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.

    How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

    Sources & references

    Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

    1. help.salesforce.com — Test delivery, eligibility, fees, exam format, passing score, retake fee, time limit · verified Oct 2026