I think it's important to note that despite the numbering of the certifications they aren't really a progression.
The administrator track goes ADM201 - ADM301
The developer track goes DEV401 - DEV501
Most developers that I know have not done the ADM exams. A typical first exam for a developer would be DEV401
I think it's great that your company are giving you the option of training. I would expect from your background that you will actually find the course too easy rather than too hard!
It sounds to me from the experience you have and the tasks you are currently undertaking that you could prepare for and sit the DEV401 without the class. If your company is offering to pay for the training though then go for it you may find something of interest on it.
manpreet
Best Answer
2 years ago
I am in a position currently to (80-90% chance) have formal Salesforce Training, and I'd like input from those (especially Certified) SF Admins and Devs about this.
I'm highly confident I would breeze though an ADM201 certification (even with whatever holes are in my knowledge since I only have my current company as my experience in the last 3 years; we don't use "every aspect" of Salesforce which I'm sure is common around the globe).
I'm fairly confident I could POSSIBLY pass an ADM301 certification (but the holes in my knowledge are probably more glaring there).
I currently write (in my opinion) low-level triggers, and am highly comfortable with Workflows and developing mechanisms within the GUI itself, I touch on Visualforce "as needed" (not heavily yet). I am a very logical and organized person overall.
From my understanding, DEV401 has little to do (if at all?) with Apex code, trigger writing, etc. I've been told it's really a "Super Advanced Administrator" versus "Developer" certification. So apparently I'm teetering, experience-wise, very slightly already into DEV501 territory (which is not a short term or even long term goal right now).
Given this information, what is your input on my choosing to take the DEV401 class (not having taken ADM201 or 301) given my 3 years of on the job experience and lifetime of overall computer knowledge? I don't want to short myself by ending up in something that is too far beyond me and which I don't benefit from (possibly wasting my company's monetary, time and ongoing investment in me in the process).