a920bda3-42e0-4770-be93-b49acbee828c_coresysadmin_description

Exam Description: Core System

Administration

Cornerstone Core System Administration is the qualifying exam for the Cornerstone System
Admin Practitioner credential in the Cornerstone Client Certification Program.

Exam Overview

The Cornerstone Core System Administration exam is designed for System Administrators who can
perform essential functions in a Cornerstone solution. This includes adding and maintaining
Organizational Units and users, creating and managing groups, controlling access to data and
functionality through security roles, making changes to preferences that affect system functionality,
managing custom and welcome pages, administering and troubleshooting emails, and running reports.

The credential is a benchmark to determine whether the candidate meets the minimal qualifications as
outlined in the exam objectives. Every Cornerstone implementation is different. It is possible that the
exam may cover functionality that is not enabled or used in a particular candidate’s implementation. For
this reason, candidates are advised to review the exam objectives and topics to determine if there are
any gaps between their existing knowledge and the scope of the exam.

Details

 Number of Questions: 70
 Time Limit: Up to two hours (120 minutes)
 Passing Score: 82%
 Retakes: None. There are no retakes included in the purchase of this exam. If you do not pass, you

must re-register and re-pay for the exam to take it again.
 Format: Multiple choice, with four choices and only one correct answer. Graphics and tables may be

used in some exam questions.
 References: Accessing a Cornerstone Portal and/or Online Help during the test is allowed, but please

use your time carefully and keep in mind there is a time limit.

Objectives

Organizational Units and Users
 Explain the functionality and importance of OUs and recognize the relationship between OUs and

users
 Explain how user records are created and managed
 Explain how the Data Load Wizard is used to create and update user records
 Understand the impact of custom user fields on the user record

Groups
 Describe groups and understand how group assignments can impact a user’s access to functionality

and data

This document was updated on December 12, 2016

 Understand how groups are created

Security
 Define and differentiate permissions, constraints, and roles
 Describe the typical roles and system-defined roles
 Explain the process for creating a new security role and choosing the right permissions and

constraints
Preferences
 Describe how Display preferences are configured and understand how configuration impacts the

user experience
 Describe how My Account preferences are configured and understand how configuration impacts

the user experience
 Describe how Global Search preferences are configured and understand how configuration impacts

the user experience
 Describe how user Password preferences are configured and understand how configuration impacts

the user experience
 Describe how languages work in the system
 Describe how Universal Profile preferences are configured and understand how configuration

impacts the user experience

Page Management
 Explain how welcome pages and custom pages are created and modified

Email Management
 Understand the system emails and default email settings
 Describe how to create a new email using tags and/or custom fields
 Explain how email workflows and triggers are configured
 Troubleshoot email issues

Reporting
 Understand system reports
 Understand custom report functionality
 Describe the reporting dashboard features and the types of widgets

Topics

In addition to the exam objectives, the following topics, features, and functionality may be referred to

on the exam:

 Absent Status  Allow  Availability  Best Practices

Reconciliation

 Constraints  Custom Fields  Global Search  Data Feeds

 Data Load Wizard  Display Colors  Published Widgets  Roles

 Languages  Passwords  Custom Report  Statements and
 Self-registration Builder Operators
 Security Role
Report

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Recommended Preparation

Candidates are encouraged to take advantage of the various learning opportunities that are offered
through Cornerstone University. Training is recommended but not required. Cornerstone University
offers online curricula with subscription to the Cornerstone Success Center. Live, for-fee training events
are also available. For more information, visit the Cornerstone Success Center’s Live Training area.

The following learning resources are recommended to help candidates prepare for the exam:
 Cornerstone Core System Administration Online Course Curriculum (Cornerstone Success Center)
 Cornerstone Online Help (any Cornerstone portal)

Helpful Links

 Register for the Core System Administration Exam
 Cornerstone Client Certification Program
 Cornerstone University

Cornerstone Client Certification Program

Cornerstone Client Certification benefits System Administrators and Cornerstone clients as a whole.
Certification gives Cornerstone System Administrators credibility among their peers. It’s an opportunity
to gain skills they didn’t have before and to prove they have expanded their skillset. Employers benefit
from the certifications as well through the increase in skills and productivity of their people. System
Administrator certifications can even be leveraged as hiring or promotion tools.

The Cornerstone Client Certification Program is a three-part, progressive framework, with each
credential requiring the candidate to pass an exam. Training is recommended as preparation for the
certification exams but it is not required. The levels in the certification framework build upon one
another.

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The Practitioner credential (level 1) is awarded to candidates who pass the Cornerstone Core System
Administration exam. A Specialist credential is awarded to a candidate who passes the qualifying level 2
exam AND earns the Practitioner credential. An Expert credential is awarded to a candidate who passes
the qualifying level 3 exam AND earns the qualifying level 2 credential.

Credential Maintenance

The Cornerstone Client Certification Program enforces a credential renewal schedule as follows:
 Practitioner: credential never expires
 Specialist: specialist credentials must be renewed every three years by taking the latest version of

the qualifying Specialist level exam unless an Expert credential of the same designation is earned
 Expert: expert credentials must be renewed every three years by taking the latest version of the

qualifying Expert level exam

Badges

Candidates who possess a credential as part of the Cornerstone Client Certification Program are
provided with assets to distinguish them among their peers:
 Success Center Badges: a badge is added to the candidate’s profile on the Cornerstone Success

Center.
 Credly Badge: a badge is issued to the candidate via the Credly credential and badge management

system. Badges issued through Credly can be downloaded by the candidate and used in email
signatures and on LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.

For questions about this exam or the Cornerstone Client Certification Program, please contact
[email protected].

This document was updated on December 12, 2016 4