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Salesforce Certification Exams vs. Slack Exams
June 28, 2023
Unless you are brand new to the Salesforce ecosystem, it will be no surprise to hear that the platform’s product portfolio has expanded to include Tableau and Slack (amongst others) in recent years!
This expansion has indirectly created disparity between the certifications that once belonged to different companies. As such, just because you are clued up on preparing for a Salesforce exam, doesn’t mean you can apply the same approach to a Slack exam. In this blog, I’ll dive into the main differences between taking Salesforce and Slack certifications.
The Differences
As suggested above, just because these exams fall under the Salesforce umbrella, they don’t necessarily have the same requirements.
System
Salesforce exams can be taken on a Mac or a PC using the Respondus Browser. For Slack exams, you can use the same operating systems but need either Google Chrome or Firefox. Full technical requirements and additional resources can be found at the end of this article.
Check In
For both types of exam, you’ll need to show a valid Government ID to take the exam. For Salesforce exams, you’ll also need to complete a desk-pan too (if you’re taking part remotely).
Flag Questions
If you’ve taken a Salesforce exam, you’ll be familiar with the ability to mark questions for review (which you can then review at the end). Slack exams do not have this ability – once a question is submitted, you can’t go back. However, the exam finishes when you’ve passed or failed, so you might not see all the questions.
Platform
Salesforce exams are powered by the Kryterion WebAssessor Platform, whereas Slack exams run off of Examity instead. Slack also uses Zoom or GoToMeeting for proctoring.
Format
Salesforce exams can be taken at a physical test center or remotely. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Slack (as a digital HQ) only provides remote exams.
Results
Both exam providers display results on submission. For Slack, results are provisional until validated by a proctor within 3-5 business days, which is when you’ll be issued with your official certification (all being well!).
Reschedule
Time is money, as they say, so both providers impose fees if you are trying to change a remote exam within 24 hours. For Salesforce in-person exams, a fee will be applied if you are changing it within 72 hours.
Retake Fee
Salesforce retakes cost 50% of the original exam, with the Associate as the exclusion to this rule. Slack exams are free for the first retake, unless they are booked using a partner voucher.
Retake Policy
For both types, exams can be retaken after 24 hours (or 14 days for the third attempt). For Salesforce, a third retake needs to be in the next release. For Slack, this needs to be within 28 days and within three months of first being enrolled in the exam.
Maintenance
Salesforce exams are maintained yearly via Trailhead. Slack certifications are valid for 24 months. After 12 months, you’ll need to complete a Slack maintenance module to extend your credential for another 12 months per year.
Comparison Overview
To simplify the differences between certifications, I’ve put together this table to compare both platforms.
| Salesforce | Slack | |
|---|---|---|
| System* | Exams can be completed on either a Mac or a PC | |
| Respondus Lockdown Browser | Google Chrome or Firefox | |
| Prepare | Free on Trailhead | Paid-for Exam Prep Course |
| Check-In | Requires valid government-issued photo identification (ID) | |
| 360-degree pan of testing area. | - | |
| Flag Questions | Questions can be marked for review for you to come back to | Once an answer is submitted, you cannot review it – the exam automatically submits once you have achieved a pass or fail |
| Platform | Kryterion WebAssessor | Examity and Zoom or GoToMeeting |
| Format | Remote | |
| In person | - | |
| Results | Immediate | Results are provisional until validated within 3-5 business days |
| Reschedule | For exams taken remotely, a fee is incurred if changing within 24 hours | |
| For in-person exams, within 72 hours ($75) | - | |
| Retake Fee | 50% of exam (excluding Associate) | One retake at no cost (unless using partner exam voucher) |
| Retake Policy | First retake after 24 hours, second retake after 14 days | |
| Third retake after next release cycle, attempts reset with next release | Third retake after 28 days, three months to retake once enrolled | |
| Maintenance | One maintenance module per year – if not completed, certification expires | Certifications valid for 24 months. After 12 months, you’ll need to complete the maintenance module to extend for another 12 months. |
*For full technical requirements refer to “Additional Resources” below.
Summary
To summarize, Salesforce exams and Slack exams are different. Don’t fall into the trap I did and get tripped up by the fact that Slack exams autocomplete when you’ve passed or failed, as you can’t go back once you’ve submitted a question.
As well as understanding how the exam process works, don’t forget to thoroughly prepare using official resources or those provided here on Salesforce Ben.
Additional Resources
- Online Proctoring – Complete Your Exam Remotely (Salesforce Trailhead)
- Certification Maintenance Schedule (Salesforce Trailhead)
- Retake Policy for Certification Exams (Salesforce Trailhead)
- Exam Reschedule and Cancellation Policy (Salesforce Trailhead)
- Certification Exam Pre-Check Process for Online Proctored Exams (Salesforce Trailhead)
- Slack Certification FAQ (Slack Certified)
- Exam Registration and Policies Guide (Slack Certified)
- Slack Certified Admin Exam (Slack Certified)
- Examity System Requirements (Examity)
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