Prerequisites Required: Multiple Salesforce certifications required including Application Architect and System Architect.
About This Certification
During this evaluation, you'll work 1:1 with a Certified Technical Architect (CTA) to assess your architectural knowledge. This is a fundamental step to identify potential areas of improvement and to validate your exam preparedness before attempting the CTA Review Board Exam.
Salesforce-certified practitioner since 2015 ·
6 active certifications: Administrator, Platform App Builder, Platform Developer I, Sales Cloud Consultant, Service Cloud Consultant, AI Associate ·
Based in Hyderabad, India · All guides updated each Salesforce release cycle (Spring, Summer, Winter).
What Is the Salesforce Technical Architect – Evaluation Exam?
The CTA Evaluation exam (also known as the CTA Written Exam) is the first of two components required to earn the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) designation — the most prestigious Salesforce credential.
Unlike other Salesforce exams, the Evaluation exam is essay-based, not multiple choice.
Candidates receive a complex scenario involving a fictional company and must write detailed technical architecture recommendations across multiple domains in 4 hours. Submissions are evaluated by a panel of CTAs.
Prerequisites Required
Before you can sit the CTA Evaluation, you must hold ALL of the following active credentials:
✅ Salesforce Administrator
✅ Platform App Builder
✅ Platform Developer I
✅ Application Architect
✅ System Architect
✅ One additional Architect-track cert
Domains Covered in the Evaluation Exam
Domain
Weight
Salesforce Fundamentals and Data Architecture
20%
Integration Architecture
25%
Identity and Access Management
20%
Governance and Lifecycle Management
15%
Solution Design and Technical Leadership
20%
⚠️ Realistic Timeline: 12–24 Months
Most candidates preparing for the CTA Evaluation spent 12–24 months building knowledge across all architecture domains.
Join the Salesforce CTA Study Group (Trailblazer Community), work through publicly available CTA scenario packs, and practise writing structured architecture essays with time constraints. Pass rates are below 30% — this is intentionally the hardest Salesforce exam.
Practice Exam Questions — Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation
Scenario-based questions reflecting the style and difficulty of the actual Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation exam. Updated for Winter '26.
Q1. What is the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) Evaluation exam?
A) A multiple-choice exam on advanced Salesforce topics
B) A scenario-based essay examination where candidates write a written architecture recommendation for a complex multi-system Salesforce scenario — demonstrating depth of architectural thinking and written communication
C) A proctored coding test in Apex
D) An interview conducted by a Salesforce CTA board member
► Show Answer
✓ Correct: B — The CTA Evaluation is a written exam (approximately 3 hours) presenting a complex scenario. Candidates write a structured architecture recommendation covering data model, security, integration, deployment, and governance — demonstrating CTA-level thinking in writing before proceeding to the Review Board.
Q2. What are the prerequisite certifications required before attempting the CTA program?
A) Only Salesforce Administrator and Platform Developer I
B) Both Application Architect (comprising System Architect + App Architect credential areas) and all domain exams (Administrator, Platform Dev I, Platform Dev II, and others as required by the path)
C) Only Salesforce Certified Technical Architect — no prerequisites
D) Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce Consultant credentials only
► Show Answer
✓ Correct: B — The CTA program requires holding the Application Architect and System Architect certifications (which themselves require domain certs: Admin, PD I, PD II, App Builder, Data Architecture, Sharing & Visibility, Integration Architecture, Identity & Access Management, Dev Lifecycle & Deployment).
Q3. How long does the typical CTA Evaluation exam take?
A) 90 minutes — multiple choice format
B) Approximately 3–4 hours for the written essay portion — candidates receive a scenario document and write a comprehensive architecture recommendation
C) 30 minutes — only diagrams are required
D) Multiple days across several sessions
► Show Answer
✓ Correct: B — The CTA Evaluation is a time-boxed written examination (typically 3 hours 45 minutes). Candidates receive a complex scenario and write architecture recommendations covering solution design, data model, security, integration, deployment, and handling of specific constraints.
Q4. What competencies does the CTA Evaluation assess beyond technical knowledge?
A) Typing speed and grammar only
B) Structured problem-solving, ability to justify architectural decisions with trade-off analysis, risk identification, written communication clarity, and stakeholder-appropriate explanation of complex technical choices
C) Hands-on coding ability in Apex
D) Knowledge of Salesforce pricing and licensing
► Show Answer
✓ Correct: B — CTAs are assessed on: clear architectural recommendation with rationale, identification of risks and mitigations, trade-off analysis (not just one answer — discuss alternatives), appropriate technology selection, governance recommendations, and clear written communication for executive audiences.
Q5. What is a key strategic skill demonstrated in a strong CTA Evaluation response?
A) Recommending the most expensive Salesforce products
B) Balancing business requirements against technical constraints — acknowledging limitations, proposing phased approaches, identifying risks with mitigations, and recommending governance rather than only prescribing a solution
C) Showing familiarity with all Salesforce product names
D) Diagnosing the cause of the scenario's problems without recommending solutions
► Show Answer
✓ Correct: B — Strong CTA responses show strategic thinking: "Given the data volume constraint, I recommend a phased approach..." or "While Option A is technically feasible, Option B better aligns with the stated budget constraint because..." — demonstrating architect-level decision-making.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation exam?
The Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation exam is considered intermediate to advanced difficulty. Candidates with hands-on Salesforce
project experience typically pass within their first or second attempt. Thorough study of the official exam guide
domains and Trailhead content is strongly recommended before sitting the exam.
What is the passing score for the Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation exam?
The passing score for Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation is 65% (unless otherwise specified on the official Salesforce Trailhead exam page).
Salesforce does not publish which specific questions you passed or failed — only your overall percentage.
How long should I study for the Salesforce Technical Architect Evaluation exam?
Most candidates spend 4–8 weeks preparing. Study time depends on your existing Salesforce experience.
Focus on the exam domain weights, complete the relevant Trailhead Trailmix, and practise in a Developer Edition org.
What is the retake policy for Salesforce certification exams?
If you fail a Salesforce exam, you must wait 24 hours before your first retake. After a second failure,
you must wait 14 days for each subsequent attempt. Each retake costs $200 USD (or $100 with a retake voucher).