Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Developer

Sample Questions and Answers

 

What is the function of the RaiseError() AMPscript function?

To log an error in the system
B. To stop email send and display a custom error message during execution
C. To restart the email send process
D. To send an alert email to admins

Answer: B. To stop email send and display a custom error message during execution
Explanation: RaiseError() halts execution and displays an error message, useful in debugging or conditional logic.

What does the Marketing Cloud ‘Data Designer’ allow you to do?

Manage relationships between data extensions in Contact Builder
B. Create email content
C. Schedule automations
D. Build customer journeys

Answer: A. Manage relationships between data extensions in Contact Builder
Explanation: Data Designer is used to define relationships and model contact data in Contact Builder.

How can you retrieve subscriber data from a Data Extension using AMPscript?

Using Lookup() or LookupRows() functions
B. Using GetSubscriber() function
C. Using Fetch() function
D. Using RetrieveData() function

Answer: A. Using Lookup() or LookupRows() functions
Explanation: These functions query Data Extensions and return values or rows.

Which Marketing Cloud feature allows importing data via FTP?

Import Activity in Automation Studio
B. Data Designer
C. Contact Builder
D. Journey Builder

Answer: A. Import Activity in Automation Studio
Explanation: Import Activity can be configured to import files placed on the FTP server.

What is the maximum file size allowed for FTP imports in Marketing Cloud?

100 MB
B. 250 MB
C. 500 MB
D. 1 GB

Answer: B. 250 MB
Explanation: FTP import files can be up to 250 MB in size.

How does the InsertDE() AMPscript function work?

Inserts a new row into a Data Extension
B. Updates an existing row in a Data Extension
C. Deletes a row in a Data Extension
D. Retrieves rows from a Data Extension

Answer: A. Inserts a new row into a Data Extension
Explanation: InsertDE() adds new data into a specified Data Extension.

What is the main purpose of Send Logging?

To capture details about every email send for tracking and reporting
B. To log in users
C. To store subscriber preferences
D. To prevent sending duplicate emails

Answer: A. To capture details about every email send for tracking and reporting
Explanation: Send Logging records information about sends for audit and troubleshooting.

Which of the following is NOT a valid AMPscript data type?

String
B. Boolean
C. Array
D. Date

Answer: C. Array
Explanation: AMPscript does not support arrays as a data type.

How can you create dynamic content in Marketing Cloud emails?

Using AMPscript or Dynamic Content blocks in Content Builder
B. Only with HTML
C. Using JavaScript
D. By duplicating emails

Answer: A. Using AMPscript or Dynamic Content blocks in Content Builder
Explanation: Dynamic content and AMPscript allow for conditional personalization.

What is the purpose of the GUID() function in AMPscript?

Generate a globally unique identifier string
B. Retrieve subscriber ID
C. Validate email addresses
D. Format dates

Answer: A. Generate a globally unique identifier string
Explanation: GUID() returns a unique identifier useful for tracking or keys.

What does the RedirectTo() function do in AMPscript?

Redirects the subscriber to a specified URL when clicking a link
B. Sends an email
C. Deletes subscriber data
D. Pauses a journey

Answer: A. Redirects the subscriber to a specified URL when clicking a link
Explanation: RedirectTo() is used to send the user to a URL upon link click.

What is the primary function of Contact Builder?

Manage contacts, data sources, and relationships across channels
B. Create email templates
C. Build automation workflows
D. Design landing pages

Answer: A. Manage contacts, data sources, and relationships across channels
Explanation: Contact Builder centralizes contact data management and relationships.

Which activity in Automation Studio is used to send an email?

Email Send Activity
B. Filter Activity
C. Data Extract Activity
D. Script Activity

Answer: A. Email Send Activity
Explanation: Email Send Activity schedules and executes email sends.

Which AMPscript function would you use to remove spaces from the start and end of a string?

Trim()
B. Clean()
C. StripSpaces()
D. RemoveSpaces()

Answer: A. Trim()
Explanation: Trim() removes leading and trailing whitespace.

What is the default maximum number of contacts allowed per Data Extension?

Unlimited
B. 5 million
C. 1 million
D. 10 million

Answer: A. Unlimited
Explanation: Data Extensions do not have a hard limit on contact numbers, but practical limits depend on account capacity.

How do you schedule a send in Journey Builder?

Use the ‘Entry Source’ scheduling options when configuring the journey
B. Schedule in Email Studio only
C. Schedule via Automation Studio
D. Scheduling is not supported in Journey Builder

Answer: A. Use the ‘Entry Source’ scheduling options when configuring the journey
Explanation: Journey Builder allows scheduling contact entry to control send timing.

What is the function of the BuildRowsetFromString() AMPscript function?

Creates a rowset (table) from a string using a delimiter
B. Parses JSON data
C. Builds an email list
D. Creates a data extension

Answer: A. Creates a rowset (table) from a string using a delimiter
Explanation: This function splits a string into rows based on a delimiter.

 

Which of the following is true about the AttributeValue() AMPscript function?

It retrieves the value of a specified attribute and returns an empty string if the attribute is missing
B. It updates the value of an attribute
C. It deletes an attribute from the subscriber profile
D. It converts the attribute value to uppercase

Answer: A. It retrieves the value of a specified attribute and returns an empty string if the attribute is missing
Explanation: AttributeValue() safely returns attribute values and avoids errors when the attribute is null.

Which method is best to prevent SQL Injection in Marketing Cloud when using Query Activities?

Use parameterized queries or validate input data thoroughly
B. Use dynamic SQL with concatenated strings
C. Disable all SQL activities
D. Use AMPscript for SQL queries

Answer: A. Use parameterized queries or validate input data thoroughly
Explanation: Preventing SQL Injection requires input validation and parameterized queries, though Marketing Cloud SQL doesn’t support parameters natively, so input must be sanitized.

What is the purpose of the Data Extract Activity in Automation Studio?

To extract data from Marketing Cloud into files for download or FTP transfer
B. To import files into Data Extensions
C. To send emails
D. To clean Data Extensions

Answer: A. To extract data from Marketing Cloud into files for download or FTP transfer
Explanation: Data Extract Activity helps export data in formats like CSV, XML, or ZIP.

What type of data can a Data Extension contain?

Standard subscriber attributes only
B. Any user-defined fields with various data types
C. Only email addresses
D. Only contact phone numbers

Answer: B. Any user-defined fields with various data types
Explanation: Data Extensions allow flexible schemas with fields like Text, Number, Date, Boolean, etc.

How do you enable tracking of email link clicks using AMPscript?

Use the RedirectTo() function or personalization strings for links
B. Use raw HTML anchor tags only
C. Use JavaScript
D. Click tracking cannot be customized

Answer: A. Use the RedirectTo() function or personalization strings for links
Explanation: AMPscript’s RedirectTo() ensures tracking is enabled on URLs.

What is the maximum number of API calls allowed per 24 hours in Marketing Cloud?

250,000
B. 500,000
C. 1 million
D. Unlimited

Answer: B. 500,000
Explanation: Marketing Cloud has an API call limit which may vary by edition, with 500k being a common default.

Which AMPscript function is used to format a date/time value?

FormatDate()
B. DateFormat()
C. Format()
D. DateParse()

Answer: B. DateFormat()
Explanation: DateFormat() converts date/time into a string format.

Which of the following is a valid way to handle errors in AMPscript?

Using RaiseError() function
B. Using Try/Catch blocks
C. Using OnError event handler
D. Using ThrowException()

Answer: A. Using RaiseError() function
Explanation: AMPscript provides RaiseError() to stop execution with a custom message.

What does the ‘Contact Delete’ feature in Marketing Cloud do?

Permanently removes contacts and all associated data from Marketing Cloud
B. Deletes only unsubscribed contacts
C. Archives contacts but does not delete data
D. Removes contacts from a specific list only

Answer: A. Permanently removes contacts and all associated data from Marketing Cloud
Explanation: Contact Delete cleans up data to maintain compliance and reduce storage.

How do you create a one-to-many relationship between two Data Extensions in Contact Builder?

Use Attribute Groups and link Data Extensions with primary and foreign keys
B. Merge the two Data Extensions into one
C. Use SQL joins only
D. Use Automation Studio activities

Answer: A. Use Attribute Groups and link Data Extensions with primary and foreign keys
Explanation: Attribute Groups allow relationship modeling with defined keys.

What does the UpdateDE() AMPscript function do?

Updates one or more fields of an existing row in a Data Extension
B. Inserts a new row into a Data Extension
C. Deletes rows from a Data Extension
D. Retrieves rows from a Data Extension

Answer: A. Updates one or more fields of an existing row in a Data Extension
Explanation: UpdateDE() modifies data in existing rows.

Which of the following is NOT a valid way to authenticate Marketing Cloud API calls?

OAuth 2.0 Access Tokens
B. Username and Password Basic Authentication
C. Client ID and Client Secret with OAuth
D. JWT (JSON Web Token)

Answer: B. Username and Password Basic Authentication
Explanation: Marketing Cloud APIs use OAuth or JWT; basic auth is not supported.

How do you enable AMPscript debugging during email preview?

Use %%=TreatAsContent(Concat(“Debug: “, Variable))=%%
B. There is no debugging option
C. Use JavaScript console.log()
D. Enable debug mode in Email Studio settings

Answer: A. Use %%=TreatAsContent(Concat(“Debug: “, Variable))=%%
Explanation: You can output AMPscript variable values in email preview for debugging.

What does the RowCount() function return?

Number of rows in a rowset or Data Extension query result
B. Number of columns in a Data Extension
C. The size of the Data Extension file
D. Number of subscribers in a list

Answer: A. Number of rows in a rowset or Data Extension query result
Explanation: RowCount() returns the count of rows in a rowset variable.

Which API would you use to programmatically send transactional emails in Marketing Cloud?

REST API’s /messaging/v1/email/messages endpoint
B. SOAP API’s Create call
C. Bulk API
D. Analytics API

Answer: A. REST API’s /messaging/v1/email/messages endpoint
Explanation: REST API supports sending transactional emails with personalization.

What is the function of the LookupOrderedRows() AMPscript function?

Returns rows ordered by specified field(s) from a Data Extension
B. Deletes ordered rows in a Data Extension
C. Returns unordered rows from a Data Extension
D. Creates a new Data Extension

Answer: A. Returns rows ordered by specified field(s) from a Data Extension
Explanation: It retrieves rows sorted by a field, useful for ranking or limits.

What does the TreatAsContent() function do in AMPscript?

Processes the passed string as if it were content, allowing embedded AMPscript to execute
B. Converts text to uppercase
C. Encodes HTML entities
D. Converts text to JSON

Answer: A. Processes the passed string as if it were content, allowing embedded AMPscript to execute
Explanation: It evaluates dynamic AMPscript inside strings.

How can you limit the scope of an Automation Studio SQL query?

Use the TOP keyword and WHERE clause
B. Use LIMIT clause
C. Use ORDER BY only
D. SQL queries cannot be limited

Answer: A. Use the TOP keyword and WHERE clause
Explanation: TOP limits rows returned; WHERE filters data.

Which API object represents a subscriber in Marketing Cloud SOAP API?

Subscriber
B. Contact
C. Lead
D. User

Answer: A. Subscriber
Explanation: The Subscriber object holds subscriber data for sends and management.

How do you pass AMPscript variables from Email Studio to Cloud Pages?

Use Query String parameters in the URL
B. Use POST requests only
C. Use cookies exclusively
D. You cannot pass variables

Answer: A. Use Query String parameters in the URL
Explanation: Passing variables via URL parameters is the most common method.