Preparing for the Adobe Experience Platform Certification exam can feel overwhelming if you do not follow a structured plan. Because Adobe Experience Platform (AEP) is a powerful enterprise-level customer data platform, the exam tests both conceptual knowledge and real-world implementation skills.

This detailed step-by-step study planner will help you organize your preparation over 4 to 6 weeks, ensuring you cover all major domains such as XDM, data ingestion, Real-Time Customer Profile, segmentation, governance, and activation.

Understanding the Platform Before You Begin

Adobe Experience Platform is developed by Adobe and is designed to centralize customer data, build unified profiles, and enable personalized marketing experiences.

Before starting your study plan, understand that the exam:

• Is scenario-based

• Tests workflow understanding

• Focuses on practical application

• Requires knowledge of multiple interconnected services

Now let’s break the preparation into weekly milestones.

Week 1: Foundation and Architecture

Goal: Build Conceptual Clarity

The first week should focus entirely on understanding how the platform works at a high level.

Topics to Cover

• Overview of Adobe Experience Platform architecture

• Core services and components

• Experience Data Model (XDM) basics

• Schemas and field groups

• Data types and relationships

Spend this week learning how data flows inside the platform.

Study Resources

Use official learning paths available on Adobe Experience League. These modules explain:

• Platform navigation

• Schema creation

• Data modeling fundamentals

Practical Activity

• Create sample schemas

• Add field groups

• Understand required fields

• Enable schema for Real-Time Profile

At the end of Week 1, you should clearly understand XDM structure and how schemas are built.

Week 2: Data Ingestion and Identity Service

Goal: Understand How Data Enters and Connects

This week focuses on how customer data is ingested and unified.

Topics to Study

• Batch ingestion

• Streaming ingestion

• Source connectors

• API ingestion

• Dataset configuration

• Ingestion monitoring

Identity Service Concepts

• Identity namespaces

• Primary identity

• Identity stitching

• Identity graph

• Profile fragments

Identity Service is critical because it connects customer data from multiple sources.

Practical Tasks

• Configure a dataset

• Simulate batch ingestion

• Understand streaming ingestion use cases

• Explore identity mapping logic

By the end of Week 2, you should be able to explain the difference between batch and streaming ingestion and understand how identities merge into unified profiles.

Week 3: Real-Time Customer Profile and Merge Policies

Goal: Master Profile Building

Real-Time Customer Profile is one of the most heavily tested topics.

Key Topics

• Profile fragments

• Profile stitching

• Merge policies

• Timestamp precedence

• Dataset precedence

• Conflict resolution

Understand how multiple datasets merge into one single customer profile.

Important Focus

Learn how merge policies determine which data takes priority when conflicts occur.

Practical Tasks

• Enable datasets for profile

• Configure merge policies

• Analyze how profile attributes update

• Review profile inspection features

At the end of Week 3, you should be confident in handling profile merging scenarios.

Week 4: Segmentation and Audience Activation

Goal: Build and Activate Audiences

Segmentation is one of the most practical and business-oriented sections of the exam.

Topics to Cover

• Rule-based segmentation

• Event-based segmentation

• Streaming segmentation

• Scheduled segmentation

• Segment evaluation

• Audience export

Understand Key Differences

• Streaming segmentation evaluates data in real-time.

• Batch segmentation runs at scheduled intervals.

Exam questions often test when to use which method.

Activation Topics

• Destination configuration

• Audience sharing

• Data mapping

• Channel integrations

Practical Activities

• Create multiple audience segments

• Test streaming segmentation logic

• Explore destination setup

• Review activation workflows

By the end of Week 4, you should be comfortable building and activating segments.

Week 5: Governance and Compliance

Goal: Avoid Losing Easy Marks

Many candidates underestimate governance, but it is important.

Topics to Study

• Data usage labels

• Policy enforcement

• Consent handling

• Compliance basics

Understand how governance policies restrict certain data from being activated.

Practical Focus

• Apply data usage labels

• Review enforcement logic

• Understand restricted data scenarios

After Week 5, your conceptual understanding should be complete.

Week 6 (Optional but Recommended): Mock Tests and Revision

Goal: Simulate Real Exam Conditions

This week is for:

• Taking full-length practice exams

• Reviewing weak areas

• Revising summary notes

• Improving time management

Mock Exam Strategy

• Attempt at least 3–5 mock tests

• Review incorrect answers carefully

• Revisit related documentation

• Practice answering under time constraints

YDaily Study Routine Recommendation

Here is a suggested daily routine:

• 60–90 minutes conceptual study

• 30–60 minutes hands-on practice

• 15–20 minutes revision

• Weekly review session

Consistency is more important than long study hours.

Key Areas to Revisit Multiple Times

Some topics require repeated revision:

• XDM schema configuration

• Identity stitching

• Merge policies

• Streaming vs batch ingestion

• Streaming vs scheduled segmentation

These are common scenario-based question areas.   

Common Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Studying Without Hands-On Practice

Concept-only study is not enough.

Ignoring Weak Areas

Spend extra time on topics you find difficult.

Leaving Mock Exams for