Updated for Winter '26 Release
Last Updated: November 2025 | Exam Version: Winter '26
This exam guide reflects the latest Salesforce Winter '26 release (November 2025). Key updates include Agentforce Student Success AI, a Dynamic Program Finder (LWR), and new Agentforce Testing Center sync.
⚡ What Changed from Spring '25 to Winter '26?
AI now predicts student dropout risk from multiple data sources and suggests intervention plans
New LWR component for Experience Cloud sites, enabling real-time, searchable course catalogs
Direct, real-time ingestion of standardized test scores into the applicant data model
Salesforce Certified Education Cloud Consultant
Your complete guide to managing the entire student lifecycle, from recruitment to alumni relations
📊 Exam At a Glance
📝 Note: As of July 21, 2025, all Salesforce exams are delivered through Pearson VUE (Trailhead Academy). The exam can be taken at a testing center or online with remote proctoring.
Exam Objectives & Weightage
1. Education Cloud Configuration
22%Understand the Education Data Architecture (EDA) object model. Configure key objects like Accounts, Contacts, Relationships, and Affiliations for K-12 and Higher Ed.
This now includes configuration of the Agentforce Testing Center Sync to map incoming test scores to EDA objects like `Test Score`.
View Key Topics ▼
- Describe the Household and Administrative Account models
- Configure `Relationships` (student-faculty) and `Affiliations` (student-department)
- Manage EDA settings for address management and record creation
2. Recruitment & Admissions
24%Design and configure solutions using Admissions Connect to manage the applicant lifecycle, from inquiry and application to decision and enrollment.
The new Dynamic Program Finder (LWR) component is now a key part of building the applicant portal experience in Experience Cloud.
3. Student Experience
30%Implement solutions using the Student Success Hub to manage advising, success plans, alerts, and appointment scheduling to support the student journey.
Agentforce Student Success AI is now a testable feature, including how to configure the AI-generated intervention plans and alerts.
4. Institutional Operations & Advancement
24%Understand how to use Education Cloud for alumni relations and fundraising. This includes configuring Gift Entry and managing donation lifecycles (often overlaps with Nonprofit Cloud concepts).
📝 Sample Exam Questions
💡 Test Your Knowledge
These sample questions reflect the style and difficulty level of the actual Consultant exam. Practice with these to assess your readiness.
Question 1: Education Cloud Configuration
A student is majoring in Biology and is also on the university's swim team. How should a consultant model these two connections to the student's Contact record in the EDA model?
A) Create two `Relationship` records.
B) Create two `Affiliation` records (one to the Biology Dept, one to the Athletics Dept).
C) Create one `Relationship` (Biology) and one `Affiliation` (Swim Team).
D) Create two custom lookup fields on the Contact object.
✓ Correct Answer: B) Create two `Affiliation` records (one to the Biology Dept, one to the Athletics Dept).
Explanation: `Affiliation` records are the standard EDA object used to connect a Contact to an Academic Program, Department, or other group. `Relationships` are used to connect one Contact to another Contact (e.g., student-to-advisor).
Question 2: Recruitment & Admissions
An admissions coordinator needs to track the individual components of an application, such as "Transcript Received," "Essay Submitted," and "Recommendation Letter #1 Received." What Admissions Connect feature should be used?
A) `Affiliation` records for each component.
B) An `Action Plan` template applied to the `Application` record.
C) `Case` records for each application.
D) `Success Plan` records.
✓ Correct Answer: B) An `Action Plan` template applied to the `Application` record.
Explanation: Admissions Connect uses `Action Plans` to create repeatable task checklists that are applied to `Application` records, allowing coordinators to track the completion of required documents and reviews.
Question 3: Student Experience (Winter '26 Feature)
A university wants to use the new Winter '26 feature to proactively identify students who are at high risk of dropping out. What feature should the consultant configure?
A) Agentforce Student Success AI
B) Dynamic Program Finder (LWR)
C) Agentforce Testing Center Sync
D) A standard Salesforce Report on grades
✓ Correct Answer: A) Agentforce Student Success AI
Explanation: The new Agentforce Student Success AI feature is specifically designed to analyze multiple data points (like grades, attendance, and engagement) to predict dropout risk and suggest interventions.
💡 Exam Tip: The exam is built on the Education Data Architecture (EDA). You *must* know the core objects: `Relationship`, `Affiliation`, `Program Plan`, `Course`, `Course Offering`, and `Program Enrollment`.
📚 Study Resources & Preparation
🎯 Recommended Study Plan (4-6 Weeks)
Confirm Admin cert. Master the EDA data model. Configure Household/Admin accounts, Affiliations, and Relationships.
Hands-on. Configure Admissions Connect (Applications, Action Plans) and Student Success Hub (Alerts, Success Plans).
Take practice exams. Review Advancement/Fundraising concepts, security, and Experience Cloud setup.
💡 Exam Day Tips
Know the data model. `Affiliation` connects Contact-to-Account. `Relationship` connects Contact-to-Contact.
Know the two main pillars: Admissions Connect (for applicants) and Student Success Hub (for enrolled students).
Understand when to use the Household Account model (K-12, some HED) vs. the Administrative Account model (most HED).