The Ultimate Guide to Pardot Certification 2023: Types and Exam Preparation
Salesforce Pardot (aka Marketing Cloud Account Engagement) is a cloud-based marketing automation platform for B2B that is used to drive engagement, generate leads, and track customer behavior. The Pardot certification program provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become a successful Pardot Specialist or Consultant.
Read this article to learn how to become a Pardot certified expert: see whether you need a Pardot certification, which certificate suits your requirements, and how to pass the Pardot certification exam.
Types of Pardot Certification: Pardot Specialist and Pardot Consultant – What’s the Difference?
There are two types of Pardot certification: the Pardot Specialist certification and the Pardot Consultant certification. Let’s have a look at each type and see what’s the difference between them and which one suits you best.
Pardot Specialist Certification: Who Needs It, Requirements and Skills
The Pardot Specialist certification is the first step of the two-step Pardot certification program. This certification covers the following topics:
- Pardot account setup and management
- Lead generation and nurturing
- Marketing automation
- Email marketing
- Landing pages and forms
- Reporting and analytics
If you want to acquire a Pardot Specialist certificate, you need to meet the following requirements:
- You should be familiar with Pardot and understand the basic features like automations, workflows (Pardot Lightning App), standard B2B dashboards, and Einstein features;
- You should know administrative settings in Pardot;
- You should understand who to troubleshoot and solve basic issues in Pardot.
If you need more detailed info about the requirements for the Pardot Specialist certification, consult the official guide.
You don’t have to pass any other exams before Pardot Specialist certification, so this certificate suits marketers who have been working in Pardot for some time and want to check their knowledge and get first credentials.
Pardot Consultant Сertification: Skills, Requirements, and Other Details
The Pardot Consultant certification is designed for individuals who have advanced skills in the platform and want to demonstrate their expertise in helping clients implement and optimize their Pardot accounts. This certification covers the following topics:
- Pardot account strategy and implementation
- Lead generation and nurturing
- Marketing automation
- Email marketing
- Landing pages and forms
- Reporting and analytics
- Salesforce integration
- Pardot customization and optimization
The Pardot Consultant certification requirements are for advanced marketers who have the following skills:
- Know how to work with the lead qualification, nurturing, and generation strategies;
- Understand and interpret dashboards and reports in Pardot;
- Manage and organize data assets in Pardot; understand data hygiene;
- Integrate Pardot and Salesforce;
- Create marketing automation strategies and customer maps.
If you need more detailed info about the requirements for the Pardot Consultant certification, consult the official guide.
Mind that you can’t pass the Pardot Consultant certification exam if you are not Pardot Specialist certified.
How to Pass the Pardot Certification Exams
If you’re ready to prove your knowledge of Salesforce Pardot at the exam, you’ll need to schedule it and get prepared. Let us tell you a bit more about the procedure of the exam and what educational materials you might need.
The Procedure of Pardot Certification Exams
The Pardot certification exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test that is administered by Salesforce. Here is the general procedure for taking the exam:
- Register for the exam: To register for the exam, you will need to create a Salesforce certification account and select the Pardot certification exam. You will then be prompted to pay the exam fee ($200).
- Schedule the exam: After you’ve prepared for the exam, you can schedule it at a time that is convenient for you.
- Take the exam: on the day of the exam, you will need to arrive at the testing center or just enter your account if you’ve chosen the online exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and is typically 90 minutes long.
- Receive your results: after completing the exam, you will receive your results immediately. If you pass the exam, you will receive a certificate and digital badge that you can use to showcase your certification on your resume, website, and other professional platforms.
The certification is valid for two years, and to maintain your certification, you will need to recertify by passing a new exam or by completing continuing education requirements.
How to Get Prepared for the Exam
1. Study the official Pardot certification study guide: this guide is the best place to start as it provides a comprehensive overview of the topics covered on the exams.
2. Try out Pardot certification sample tests: although it’s impossible to find the exact tests and the samples may not necessarily reflect the exact content or difficulty level of the actual certification exam, you can still use them to get a feel for the format of the exam and the types of questions you can expect to see. You can find the samples on YouTube or on some forums by Pardot enthusiasts.
3. Take online courses and tutorials: There are many online courses and tutorials available that can help you prepare for the exams. These courses are often taught by certified Pardot professionals who can provide you with insider tips and tricks. The official training course is provided by Trailhead Academy: they’ve got two expert-led training programs for those who want to acquire the Pardot certification.
4. Practice with Pardot: The best way to prepare for the exams is to actually use the platform. This will give you hands-on experience and help you understand the features and functionality of Pardot in a real-world setting.
5. Join a study group: joining a study group with other individuals who are also preparing for the exams can be incredibly beneficial. You can share study materials, ask questions, and help each other prepare for the exams. One of the most popular Pardot study communities is Trailblazer.
Why You Might Need Salesforce Pardot Certification
There are several groups of professionals who may benefit from obtaining a Pardot certification. You might need to get Pardot certified if you’re a marketing professional and want to:
- Advance your career: if you work in marketing and want to expand your skill set, Pardot certification can help you gain a deeper understanding of the platform and its features. Your credibility as a marketing professional will increase and you will be able to get more career opportunities. Also, certified professionals are often paid more and have more opportunities for growth within their companies or as freelancers.
- Improve your job performance: with a Pardot certification, you will have a deeper understanding of the platform and its features, allowing you to perform your job more effectively. You will also have the ability to solve problems and implement solutions more efficiently, leading to improved results for your clients.
- Stay in tune with the best practices: if you want to stay current with the latest trends and best practices in the field, Pardot certification will help you develop professionally and educate yourself.
Overall, Salesforce Pardot certification is an investment in your future and can help you achieve your professional goals and advance your career in the marketing industry.
Conclusion
Pardot certification is a valuable asset for anyone working with the platform, whether you are a marketing professional, administrator, or consultant. If you want to acquire a Pardot Specialist or Pardot Consultant certificates, you’ll need to get different skill sets, so you’ll need to study the certificates first to see whether you meet the requirements at present.
Increase your chances of passing the Pardot certification exams and achieving your goals with the following practices:
- study the official study guide;
- take online courses and tutorials;
- look at the sample tests;
- practice with the platform;
- join a study group.