Marketing Cloud Account Engagement 101: The Specialist Certification Exam
Is getting your Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (formerly Pardot) Specialist certification one of your 2019 goals? Good idea! Marketing Cloud Account Engagement (MCAE) is an increasingly popular Salesforce product. If your LinkedIn feed looks anything like mine, you’ve seen an uptick in MCAE Specialist Cert announcements.
As an MCAE blogger and certified Consultant, I’m frequently asked for my tips on passing the MCAE Specialist exam. I have a Chrome bookmarks folder with all my study resources, and the list takes up my whole screen!
I've compiled my top tips and resources for getting Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist certified.
Tips for the Exam
There’s no easy way around this: the MCAE Specialist exam is known to be a difficult test. Personally, I think it was harder than the MCAE Consultant exam. I suggest at least two months of regular studying unless you’re a daily end user of the tool. Then I’d suggest one month.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the exam! If you’re at all interested in MCAE, use it for work, or want to expand your Salesforce certifications, this one is a good one to have. You’ll need to do a few things first, though.
What you need to do before you start studying for the exam:
- Understand general digital marketing best practices. A good place to start is Trailhead. Most of my resources in the MCAE Specialist Study Guide came from MCAE documentation but Trailhead is a fun prerequisite to diving into the technical side of MCAE.
- Pick an exam date. So many people ask for my advice on the exam but don’t plan to take it for many months. Let’s change that. Setting a date is a great motivator and will keep you focused on your goal.
- Consider talking to your boss about this. Are you using MCAE at work? Are you a fellow Salesforce Consultant looking to expand your certs? Talking to your employer about your goal to be MCAE Specialist certified can’t hurt (if it does, you might need to start looking for a new job). It’s a highly marketable and valuable skill for them too. Ask how they can support you (think about exam fees, devoting some of your work time to studying, etc).
Now let’s get to what you really came here for.
What’s your honest advice on what to study for the Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist exam?
My answer: every feature.
By that, I do not mean everything about MCAE, just every feature. The Specialist exam is made for “those who can demonstrate skills and knowledge in designing, building, and implementing marketing workflows through the MCAE platform.” You’ll want to focus on features a daily end user would need to know about. Check out Salesforce’s official study guide for a more in-depth look.
What do I do after the MCAE Specialist exam?
Once you pass, you should update your resume and post about your certification on LinkedIn. Really.
This isn’t about you looking for a new job. This is about celebrating your accomplishments. You did it! Let the world know!
Tag me in the post– I’d love to say “Congratulations”.
Next, consider getting your MCAE Consultant certification. Of course, I made a guide for the Consultant exam as well. You can find it, along with more advice on the exam, here.
Where else can Marketing Cloud Account Engagement take me?
It’s been an amazing few years for me working in MCAE. I’ve become certified and a bonafide MCAE Consultant. I’ve blogged about MCAE for Salesforce. I’ve manned the Pardot Genius booth at Dreamforce. And I’ve made so many new MCAE (powered by Pardot) friends.
I’ve found something I’m passionate about, and that’s pretty cool. I want to help you find your passion, too! Getting your MCAE Specialist Certification can be a great step in your career, and I’ll be rooting for you.
Want more MCAE tips and tricks?
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