SF-PD2 Practice Test 2 — 25 Questions

Question 1

A developer is optimizing a Lightning Web Component that displays a list of 500 custom object records. The component uses a wire adapter to call an Apex method that returns the records. The Apex method currently queries all fields on the custom object, including several rich text fields and formula fields that are not displayed in the component. Users report that the component takes a long time to load. What should the developer do to improve the performance of the Apex method?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

Use a SOQL query that selects only the fields required by the Lightning Web Component, avoiding unnecessary fields.. The Apex method is slow because it queries all fields, including expensive rich text and formula fields that are not displayed. Selecting only the required fields reduces the data volume and computation, improving performance. Caching or limiting records does not address the root cause and may alter functionality. The best solution is to optimize the SOQL query to fetch only the needed fields.

Answer

Use a SOQL query with a LIMIT clause to reduce the number of records returned to 100.

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Use the @AuraEnabled(cacheable=true) annotation on the Apex method to enable client-side caching.

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Increase the cacheable scope of the Apex method to 'global' to cache the results across all users.

Question 2

Refer to the exhibit. A deployment is failing with this error. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The custom field is not in the deployment package.. The error indicates a metadata mismatch between the source and target environments. The code references a field that hasn't been deployed or is missing from the target. A successful deployment requires all dependencies, including custom fields and objects, to be present in the target org. Proper tracking of metadata dependencies is essential for avoiding these common deployment failures and ensuring code compatibility across different environments.

Answer

The user performing the deployment lacks field-level security.

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The Apex class was compiled in the wrong API version.

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The custom field needs to be marked as 'Required'.

Question 3

A developer is building a Lightning web component that needs to display a list of accounts with their related contacts. The component uses a wire adapter to call an Apex method that returns a list of Account objects with a nested list of Contacts. The developer notices that the contacts are not displayed, and the Apex method returns the accounts correctly. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

The Apex method does not query the related contacts using a subquery or separate query, so the contact data is not included in the result.. The most likely cause is that the Apex method's SOQL query does not include the related contacts. To return parent-child data, the query must use a subquery or a separate query to fetch contacts. Without that, the contacts list will be empty. The wire adapter and component can handle nested data, but the data must be present in the Apex result. Ensuring the query includes the child records resolves the issue.

Answer

The Apex method returns a list of Account objects, but Lightning web components cannot handle nested objects in wire adapters.

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The Lightning web component does not use the @wire decorator correctly, so the data is not reactive.

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The Apex method does not use the @AuraEnabled(cacheable=true) annotation, so the wire adapter cannot cache the data.

Question 4

A developer is designing a solution where an external system must be notified in near real-time when a custom object record is created or updated. The external system exposes a REST endpoint that accepts JSON payloads. The solution must be scalable and minimize Salesforce governor limit consumption. Which approach is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Use Platform Events to publish an event when the record changes, and have an external subscriber listen and call the external endpoint.. Platform Events enable a scalable, asynchronous, near real-time integration pattern. Publishing an event from Salesforce and having the external system subscribe decouples the systems and avoids governor limit issues. Synchronous callouts in triggers are risky, Batch Apex is not near real-time, and Outbound Messages are SOAP-based and less flexible. The event-driven approach is the most appropriate for this scenario.

Answer

Use Outbound Messages to send the record data to the external endpoint.

Answer

Create a trigger on the custom object that makes a synchronous callout to the external endpoint.

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Schedule a Batch Apex job to run every 5 minutes to query updated records and call the external endpoint.

Question 5

A developer is writing a test class for an Apex trigger that performs a callout. The developer uses a mock class implementing HttpCalloutMock. What happens if the developer fails to implement the mock interface correctly?

Accepted Answer

The test will throw a CalloutException when the trigger code attempts to invoke the HTTP method.. Apex code cannot perform real HTTP callouts during unit tests; Salesforce enforces this to prevent unpredictable external side effects. If the mock interface is not implemented or registered properly using Test.setMock, the system throws a CalloutException. Understanding this mechanism is vital for building robust integration tests, ensuring that external dependency behavior is deterministic and verifiable without hitting actual production endpoints during development cycles.

Answer

The test class will execute the real callout successfully if the endpoint is whitelisted in Remote Site Settings.

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The trigger will process the callout using the default settings defined in Named Credentials.

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The system will automatically generate a mock response based on the WSDL or OpenApi schema.

Question 6

Refer to the exhibit. The developer needs to update this code to be more robust. What is the most critical issue to address in this code snippet?

Accepted Answer

The code will fail with an exception if the ID does not exist.. The current code lacks a check for whether the account exists before accessing or updating it. If the query returns no records, it will throw a 'List has no rows for assignment to SObject' exception. Robust code should handle this possibility by checking for null or using a list to retrieve the record safely, ensuring the application remains resilient even when data is missing.

Answer

The code is not bulkified to handle a list of IDs.

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The code does not use 'with sharing' to enforce security.

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The code uses hardcoded string values for the name.

Question 7

A developer is writing a test class for an Apex trigger that updates a related Contact when an Account's BillingCity changes. The trigger handler uses a SOQL query to fetch related Contacts. What is the recommended way to ensure the test class covers the trigger logic without hitting governor limits?

Accepted Answer

Use Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() around the DML operation that fires the trigger, and create test data with @TestSetup.. The recommended approach is to use @TestSetup to create test data once for all test methods, and to wrap the DML operation that fires the trigger with Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest(). This isolates the trigger's execution and resets governor limits, ensuring the test covers the trigger logic without exceeding limits. Other options either misplace the start/stop methods or use less optimal data creation methods.

Answer

Use Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() around the SOQL query in the trigger handler, and create test data with @TestSetup.

Answer

Use Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() around the DML operation that fires the trigger, and create test data with Database.insert() without @TestSetup.

Answer

Use Test.startTest() and Test.stopTest() around the DML operation that fires the trigger, and create test data with Test.loadData().

Question 8

A developer is building an Apex REST resource that must accept an inbound JSON payload from a third-party system. The payload contains a nested structure with a list of order line items, each having its own nested product object. The developer wants to deserialize the payload directly into typed Apex classes without writing manual parsing logic. Which approach should the developer use?

Accepted Answer

Call JSON.deserialize with the typed Apex class as the second argument, ensuring the class hierarchy mirrors the JSON structure.. Typed deserialization with JSON.deserialize against an Apex class whose members mirror the JSON keys is the standard way to convert a structured payload into Apex objects. Nested lists and inner classes are populated automatically by matching names, so no manual token handling is needed. The untyped and parser-based approaches require explicit mapping and therefore reintroduce the manual work the scenario wants to eliminate.

Answer

Use JSONParser to walk the token stream and instantiate each typed class as tokens are read.

Answer

Use JSON.deserializeUntyped and cast the returned Object directly to the typed Apex class.

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Use JSON.createParser and bind the parser to a typed Apex class using the readValueAs method.

Question 9

A developer needs a custom Apex controller method to return a filtered list of Opportunities for a Visualforce page. The method must respect the running user's record-level access so that users cannot see Opportunities they are not permitted to view. Which approach should the developer use?

Accepted Answer

Query with WITH USER_MODE so the query executes in the running user's context and respects sharing and permissions.. Running the SOQL with WITH USER_MODE executes the query in the running user's context, so object permissions, field-level security, and record-level sharing all apply automatically. This is the intended declarative mechanism for respecting a user's access in Apex. WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED covers only field and object permissions, an unqualified query runs in system mode and ignores sharing, and WITH SYSTEM_MODE deliberately bypasses access checks, so none of those options meet the requirement.

Answer

Query with WITH SECURITY_ENFORCED and rely on it to apply record-level sharing rules for the running user.

Answer

Query with WITH SYSTEM_MODE to guarantee access to all Opportunities, then rely on the Visualforce page's permissions to hide rows.

Answer

Query normally without any mode clause and then filter the results in Apex using a manual sharing check.

Question 10

Refer to the exhibit. The query is performing poorly on an object with 5 million records. What is the most likely cause, and how should it be addressed?

Accepted Answer

Filtering on a related object field is causing a full table scan.. The query filters on a related object field, which can lead to inefficient joins if the field is not indexed. In Salesforce, filtering on fields from related objects often bypasses standard indexes. To optimize this, the developer should consider denormalizing data or ensuring the cross-object relationship filter is supported by an index to avoid full table scans that degrade performance significantly.

Answer

The query is selecting too many fields and should use SELECT *.

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The batch size is too small, causing excessive API calls.

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The query needs to be converted into a subquery using a nested SELECT.

Question 11

A developer is tasked with handling a large volume of external data updates in Salesforce. To ensure optimal performance and avoid governor limit issues, which bulk processing approach should be used?

Accepted Answer

Batch Apex.. For high-volume operations, Batch Apex is the standard solution. It processes records in chunks, which allows for the handling of millions of records by resetting governor limits (like CPU time and heap size) between each batch. By breaking down a massive operation into smaller, manageable units, the developer ensures the process remains stable and doesn't time out or hit limits, which is the primary challenge in large data integrations.

Answer

Synchronous Apex with nested loops.

Answer

Asynchronous Future methods.

Answer

Custom REST API with synchronous processing.

Question 12

Which of the following is an advantage of using a 'Source-Driven' development model over an 'Org-Centric' model?

Accepted Answer

It facilitates parallel development through version control branching.. Source-driven development treats the version control system as the source of truth, enabling better collaboration, easier branching, and more stable release cycles. It removes the dependency on the state of a single, monolithic org. This approach is essential for large teams and modern DevOps, reducing the risks associated with manual configuration changes and providing a clear, auditable history of the entire application's development.

Answer

It allows developers to skip unit tests during the release process.

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It eliminates the need for managing deployment manifests.

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It allows for faster development because you don't have to compile code.

Question 13

A developer is writing a batch Apex class to process 50,000 Account records. To ensure optimal performance and avoid hitting governor limits, which strategy should be implemented regarding DML operations?

Accepted Answer

Collect modified records into a List and perform a single DML operation after the loop.. Batch Apex should always perform DML operations outside of the loop iterating over the scope records. By collecting records in a List and performing a single DML operation after the loop finishes, the developer significantly reduces the number of DML statements consumed. This pattern is critical for scalability in Salesforce, as it prevents hitting the 150 DML limit per transaction while maximizing bulkification efficiency.

Answer

Perform DML operations inside the loop to ensure immediate data updates.

Answer

Call the Database.update() method for every individual record in the scope.

Answer

Use the Future method to update each record asynchronously.

Question 14

Refer to the exhibit. An Apex trigger is failing during a mass update of records. The developer identifies that the SOQL query is inside a loop. Which pattern must be applied to fix this error while maintaining the required functionality?

Accepted Answer

Collect all IDs in a Set and execute a single SOQL query outside the loop.. The 'Too many SOQL queries: 101' error is the most common indicator of a 'SOQL query in a loop' anti-pattern. To fix this, the developer must move the query outside the loop by collecting the necessary IDs into a Set or List first. Then, perform a single SOQL query that fetches all required records at once, storing them in a Map for efficient, constant-time retrieval during the trigger execution.

Answer

Increase the SOQL query limit by using a @future method to perform the query.

Answer

Use the Database.queryAll() method to bypass standard governor limits.

Answer

Wrap the loop in a try-catch block to ignore the error and proceed with the remaining records.

Question 15

A developer needs to implement a custom validation rule that involves complex cross-object logic. The logic is too complex for a standard Validation Rule formula. What is the best practice for implementing this logic?

Accepted Answer

Implement a 'before' trigger and use 'addError()' on the sObject.. Validation rules are great for simple conditions, but when logic spans multiple objects or requires complex arithmetic, Apex triggers are the superior choice. Using an 'Apex Trigger' on the 'before insert' or 'before update' events allows for a complete, programmatic validation. If the validation fails, using the 'addError()' method on the record is the standard way to provide user feedback and prevent the DML operation.

Answer

Create a Flow with a decision element to delete the record if invalid.

Answer

Use a Record-Triggered Flow to update the record status to 'Invalid'.

Answer

Use a scheduled job to find and clear invalid records nightly.

Question 16

A business process requires that when a high-value Opportunity is closed, an external ERP system is notified via an event-driven architecture. Which solution provides the most decoupled and scalable integration pattern?

Accepted Answer

Publish a Platform Event to an event bus for the ERP system to consume.. Platform Events are the ideal choice for this architecture. They allow the Salesforce environment to publish an event message that is completely decoupled from the subscriber. This provides high scalability, as the ERP system can subscribe to the events at its own pace without impacting the transaction performance of the originating Salesforce process, ensuring that the business requirements are met with maximum system resilience.

Answer

Use an Apex trigger to perform an HTTP callout directly to the ERP system.

Answer

Configure an Outbound Message via Workflow Rule to send the data to the ERP.

Answer

Implement a scheduled batch job to query for closed opportunities and export them.

Question 17

Refer to the exhibit. An integration is failing when a guest user tries to access a public-facing API. What is the most likely cause, and how should it be addressed?

Accepted Answer

The Guest User profile lacks 'Read' or 'Edit' access to the requested object.. Guest user access is strictly controlled by the 'Guest User Access' security policy. By default, guest users have highly restricted permissions. The 403 error indicates that the Site Guest User profile lacks the necessary object or field-level permissions to read or update the data requested. The solution is to update the profile permissions specifically, following the principle of least privilege, or use a Guest User access controller with elevated sharing access.

Answer

The external system needs to be whitelisted in the Remote Site Settings.

Answer

The API endpoint is disabled for public access in the Setup menu.

Answer

The integration needs to be converted to a POST request to avoid security filters.

Question 18

A developer is writing a unit test for an Apex service class that calls an external REST endpoint using HttpRequest and Http. The test needs to verify that the class correctly parses a successful JSON response and also handles a 500 error response. The class uses a named credential for authentication. Which approach should the developer use to test both scenarios without making real callouts?

Accepted Answer

Implement HttpCalloutMock and register it with Test.setMock before each test method, returning different HttpResponse values for the success and error cases.. Apex tests cannot perform real HTTP callouts. Implementing HttpCalloutMock and registering it via Test.setMock lets the test control the exact HttpResponse returned. Registering one mock that returns a 200 with JSON and another that returns a 500 lets the same test class validate both the parsing logic and the error-handling branch deterministically, without network access.

Answer

Wrap the callout in a try-catch block and rely on the test's inability to reach the endpoint to simulate the 500 error.

Answer

Set the Apex class to use the @isTest(SeeAllData=true) annotation so the callout can access the external service.

Answer

Use Test.startTest and Test.stopTest to allow the callout to execute against the endpoint in a sandbox.

Question 19

A developer is building a batch Apex class to process 1 million records. The class implements Database.Batchable and uses a SOQL query in the start method. During testing, the developer notices that the batch job fails with a 'First error: Exceeded maximum number of SOQL queries' error. What is the most likely cause and how can it be resolved?

Accepted Answer

The execute method contains a SOQL query inside a loop; move it outside the loop and use a Map.. The most likely cause is a SOQL query inside a loop in the execute method, which quickly exceeds the 200 SOQL query limit per transaction. Moving the query outside the loop and using a Map to correlate records resolves the issue by reducing the number of queries to one per batch transaction. The other options do not address the root cause.

Answer

The start method uses a QueryLocator; switch to an Iterable to avoid query limits.

Answer

The query in the start method is not selective; add a WHERE clause to filter records.

Answer

The batch size is too large; reduce the batch size to 1 to avoid query limits.

Question 20

A developer is preparing a managed package for release and needs to validate that the package's Apex code does not exceed the per-transaction limits enforced by the platform. The developer wants to run the packaged test suite in a scratch org and see the exact number of SOQL queries and DML statements consumed during each test. Which approach best satisfies this requirement?

Accepted Answer

Run the tests with the Salesforce CLI using sf apex run test with the --result-format json flag and parse the limits object for each test result.. The JSON result format from sf apex run test attaches a limits object to each test result, exposing the exact SOQL and DML counters consumed by every test method. Parsing that structured output gives the developer the precise, per-test governor limit data required to prove a managed package stays within platform limits before release, which the other approaches cannot deliver.

Answer

Query the ApexTestResult object with SOQL after the run and read the StackTrace field for each record.

Answer

Enable debug logs at the FINEST level for the running user and read the cumulative limits as they appear at the bottom of each log.

Answer

Run the tests with the Salesforce CLI using sf apex run test with the --result-format human flag and inspect the output for limit usage.