The New Salesforce Certification Experience: One Login, One Platform

Salesforce has officially moved certification exam management from Webassessor to Trailhead, and the feedback is definitely mixed. While some in the community report longer wait times, unclear instructions, and stricter security checks, others appreciate the unified platform experience and note the improved interface and ease of use.

This shift is more than a cosmetic update. It represents a major overhaul in how Salesforce professionals schedule, take, and track their certification exams. In addition to moving the entire exam workflow into Trailhead, Salesforce has also replaced its longtime testing vendor, Kryterion, with Pearson VUE, which now handles both online and in-person proctoring.

Everything is now centralized in Trailhead: training modules, credential tracking, exam registration, and even premium prep options through Trailhead Academy. If you’re considering your first (or next) Salesforce certification, here’s what you need to know about the new setup, how it works, what the community is saying, and whether the premium training is really worth the $900 price tag.

From Webassessor to Trailhead: What’s Changed?

Webassessor had its place, but Salesforce thought the experience felt outdated. Clunky interface, separate logins, awkward navigation. It worked, but it was time for a change.

Now, when you visit Trailhead Academy, you’ll find:

• A unified exam dashboard
• The ability to register, reschedule, and launch your certification exam
• One login using your Trailhead account
• Options for training, both free and paid

No more jumping between tabs or managing multiple platforms. Everything lives in one place.

Voices from the Trailblazer Community

Feedback from the Salesforce community on Reddit paints a clearer picture of both the wins and the growing pains of the new Trailhead certification platform. Many users shared that while the exam content itself hasn’t changed, the check-in process for online proctoring feels more involved than before. Test-takers were asked to submit photos of all four corners of their room, move items off their desks, unplug monitors, and in one case, even use a hand mirror to show hard-to-see areas (I guess one proctor was feeling particularly extra that day). Wait times to begin exams ranged from a few minutes to nearly 45, with some testers experiencing confusing handoffs between multiple proctors. A few users mentioned that the interface during the exam felt clunkier than Webassessor, particularly for note-taking and navigating tools like the digital whiteboard.

That said, there are several things the community agrees Salesforce got right. Most users appreciate that the platform is now integrated with Trailhead, calling it more modern and much better looking than Webassessor’s outdated design. Heavy Trailhead users said they liked having their training modules and certifications in one place. In-person testing is still available for those who prefer to avoid online proctoring. Some also noted that rescheduling policies are still flexible (however, note the decrease from 48 hours to 72), and that test center locations with Pearson VUE are more convenient in some areas than Kryterion was. While the platform still has room to grow, especially in user experience and support response times, many feel the move to Trailhead is a step in the right direction.

Trailhead Academy: The $900 Question

While exploring the new certification dashboard, I noticed Salesforce is also promoting virtual instructor-led prep courses through Trailhead Academy. They look like this:

For example, you can register for a course called “Prepare for Your Administrator Certification Exam – CRT101.” It’s a full-day virtual session delivered live by a Salesforce-certified instructor. The price? $900 USD.

These training sessions are positioned as official ways to get exam-ready fast. They’re listed right next to the actual certification page, which makes it feel like Salesforce is encouraging you to consider paid prep before taking your exam (they are). 

One Reddit user warned against paying for Salesforce-branded courses, sharing that their office once spent $1,500 (after a discount) on an official Salesforce training that turned out to be a generic Zoom lecture with minimal value. When preparing for certification, they found that free Trailhead content and reasonably priced third-party options were much more helpful. 

I didn’t go this route, and unless someone else is footing the bill, I probably won’t. I appreciate that Salesforce offers multiple learning paths, but $900 for one day of prep is steep. Especially when Trailhead modules, practice tests, and community forums are free and effective for many learners.

Note: When I checked back later, I noticed some of the training prices had dropped to $700. So if you’re on the fence, it might be worth waiting, price adjustments do happen.

What’s Still the Same

Although the backend has changed, a few core pieces of the exam experience remain unchanged:

• Exam content and format haven’t changed
• Proctoring rules still require a quiet space, clear desk, webcam, and photo ID
• Pricing for most certs remains consistent with the same retake policies

What’s to Love About the New Setup

Trailblazers have plenty to say about the transition to Trailhead, and several Redditers pointed out what’s working well.

One of the most common positives? Having everything in one place. Test-takers who are already active Trailhead users said the move felt natural and long overdue. Instead of juggling separate logins and platforms, they appreciated being able to prep, register, and track certifications from a single dashboard.

The updated interface also got high marks for being more modern and visually clean compared to Webassessor’s dated layout. While there are still some navigation quirks, most agreed that once you find the right section, the process flows more smoothly. One user also suggested that if you’re a nervous test-taker, it’s worth scheduling your exam during an off-peak time to minimize the wait for a proctor.

And while the new system has its hiccups, many acknowledged that centralizing certs, training modules, and credential tracking into one ecosystem is a step in the right direction. It better reflects how learners use the platform and sets the stage for a more unified experience going forward. And if you’re feeling so inclined, leave some feedback for Salesforce so your voice can be heard!

Do Discounts and Vouchers Work the Same?

Certification exam vouchers are occasionally available through:

• Trailblazer Community events
• Certification Days (free half-day webinars)
• Dreamforce or TrailblazerDX
• Trailhead quests and learning challenges

Some nonprofit organizations and schools may qualify for discounted pricing. Partner companies sometimes receive training access through enablement funds. And a few users have reported receiving promo codes after joining a course waitlist.

If you’re seriously considering a paid prep course, reach out to Trailhead Academy support and ask about current promotions or eligibility.

Quick Tips Before You Schedule

• Log in early: Show up 10-15 minutes before your exam time so you don’t feel rushed
• Run the system test: Pearson VUE offers a tool to check your camera, mic, and internet speed
• Have your ID ready: Your Trailhead name must match your government-issued ID
• Use Chrome: It’s the most stable browser for launching exams
• Clear your space: The proctor will require a full scan of your surroundings, so it’s best to start with a clean, uncluttered desk. Remove any unnecessary items, silence your phone, and place it out of reach; better yet, put it across the room to avoid any issues.
  

Final Thoughts

The move to Trailhead for certifications is a smart, much-needed change. It simplifies the process, reduces friction, and provides a more consistent user experience. Plenty of people have had a positive experience and would recommend the new system to anyone who’s been hesitating due to the old Webassessor interface.

Trailhead Academy training, on the other hand, is a different story. At $900 for a single day, I would want to hear from others who’ve taken the course before recommending it. If you’ve done it, let me know if it was worth the investment.

Have you tried the new Trailhead certification experience? Or one of the virtual prep courses? Leave a comment; I’d love to hear what you thought and share insights with others getting ready to certify. And if you still have more questions, visit the Salesforce FAQ page HERE.

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