SALESFORCE-PD1 Process Automation And Logic Practice Question
A developer has written a Before Insert trigger on the Contact object that needs to validate user input and potentially prevent the record from saving. Which method on the Trigger context or record instance should the developer use to flag an error?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Record.addError()
To prevent a record from saving in a before trigger, the developer must use the addError() method on the sObject record instance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ApexPages.addMessage()
Why it's wrong here
ApexPages.addMessage() displays UI messages but does not prevent backend DML from saving in triggers.
- ✓
Record.addError()
Why this is correct
addError() prevents the DML operation and displays an error message on the record or page.
- ✗
Trigger.addError()
Why it's wrong here
addError() is a method on the sObject instance, not the Trigger context map directly.
- ✗
System.assert()
Why it's wrong here
System.assert throws an unhandled exception rather than a graceful validation error on the record.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every SALESFORCE-PD1 question from scratch — 493 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Salesforce exam blueprint
This SALESFORCE-PD1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Salesforce certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SALESFORCE-PD1 exam.