# Model variable settings, cardinality and bias analysis

*CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant Study Guide · Einstein Discovery · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant/einstein-discovery/model-variable-settings-cardinality-and-bias-analysis*

Refining a model with Edit Model and Update Model: choosing variables by importance and correlation, avoiding overfitting, handling cardinality, bucketing and filtering values, and flagging sensitive variables with Analyze for Bias, all without touching the dataset.

- Certification: Salesforce CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant
- Exam section: Einstein Discovery
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Given derived results and insights from the model, adjust data parameters and add/remove data or columns to improve the model.

## What the exam expects

- Edit a model's settings and create a new version with **Update Model**, knowing the dataset stays unchanged.
- Decide which variables to keep from importance and correlation, and which overly detailed variables to drop.
- Explain how Einstein Discovery treats low-cardinality numbers and high-cardinality text, and when to enable high cardinality.
- Configure a variable: buckets, Include Only filtering or grouping into Other, and transforms.
- Turn on bias detection with **Analyze for Bias** and act on the disparate impact result.

Key terms: **model version** (a new copy of the model created each time you create or update it; earlier versions are kept); **importance** (how much the model uses a variable, including interactions); **correlation** (how strongly one variable is associated with the outcome); **cardinality** (the number of unique values in a variable); **sensitive variable** (a variable flagged with Analyze for Bias).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Update Model | Creates a new version; earlier versions kept | [Track Model Versions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_version.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Model settings and the dataset | Settings and transforms change the model only | [Select Data Options](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_setup_data.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Variables per model | At least 2, no more than 49 | [Edit Model Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_modify.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Low-cardinality number | Ten or fewer unique values becomes text | [About Models](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_model_about.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Values per variable | 100; 200 with high cardinality | [Select Data Options](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_setup_data.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| High-cardinality variables | One per model at up to 200 values | [High Cardinality Alert](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_data_alert_cardinality.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Rare values in Include Only | Under 25 occurrences grouped as Other | [Edit Model Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_modify.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Default algorithm | GLM; Model Tournament runs all four; multiclass supports no GLM | [Select Data Options](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_setup_data.htm&type=5&language=en_US), [Multiclass Use Cases](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_about_use_case_multiclass.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Disparate impact threshold | Selection rate under 80% of the highest group | [Disparate Impact Alert](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_data_alert_disparate_impact.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a partner value with a dozen rows appear as Other in Include Only?
- When should you apply value filters relative to transformations?
- Which tool merges text categories that differ only by spelling?
- What does Model Tournament do?
- Why does Help call 80% the disparate impact threshold?

## Sources

- [Edit Model Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_modify.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Select Data Options](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_setup_data.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Track Model Versions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_version.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [About Models](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_model_about.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [High Cardinality Alert](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_data_alert_cardinality.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Determine Data Requirements](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_prep_requirements.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Detect and Remove Bias from a Model](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_bias.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Disparate Impact Alert](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_data_alert_disparate_impact.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Select Model Options](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_story_setup_options.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Address Common Data Issues](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_prep_data_issues.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Multiclass Classification Use Cases](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_edd_about_use_case_multiclass.htm&type=5&language=en_US)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams