# Journey entry settings, validation and activation

*Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations Study Guide · Email Sending and Journeys · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-foundations/email-sending-and-journeys/journey-entry-settings-validation-and-activation*

What a journey needs before it can go live: an entry source with a filter and schedule, Journey Settings for contact entry and the default email address, validation and testing, and why a running journey changes only through a new version.

- Certification: Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations
- Exam section: Email Sending and Journeys
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/marketing-cloud-engagement-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Outline the necessary configurations to activate a journey and configure entry criteria for a successful activation.

## What the exam expects

- Configure an entry source so that only the intended contacts enter, and choose how often it admits them.
- Pick the contact entry mode that matches a business rule, and know where the mode can't be set.
- Choose the default email address for a journey and predict what happens when the entry data holds more than one email field.
- Explain what validation checks, when it runs and what it can't catch, and why testing follows it.
- Change a running journey with a new version.
- Key terms: **entry source** (where contacts entering a journey come from); **contact entry mode** (when a contact may enter again); **default email address** (which stored address receives journey email); **validation** (the check that the journey's components are configured correctly); **journey version** (a separate copy of the journey you edit and activate).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Entry source | Every journey must include one | [Entry Sources](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000232652&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Data extension entry | Sendable data extension; filter or admit all | [Data Extension Entry Source](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_data_extension.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Entry schedules | Run Once, Recurring, Automation | [Data Extension Entry Source](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_data_extension.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Uniqueness for entry mode | Checked by contact key | [Choose a Contact Entry Mode](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_choose_a_contact_entry_mode.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| No re-entry | All versions; can't change after activation | [Journey Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_settings.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Two EmailAddress columns | Journey Builder prompts you to pick one | [Journey Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_settings.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Validation runs | On Validate, on save and on activate | [Test and Launch a Journey Campaign](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-builder-campaigns/test-and-launch-a-journey-campaign) |
| Messaging activity | At least one is required | [Validate a Journey in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_validate_your_journey.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Test mode | Sends nothing; ignores waits and entry settings | [Journey Testing](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_testing.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Single Send journeys | No contact entry setting, no testing, no versions | [Journey Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_settings.htm&type=5&language=en_US), [Journey Versions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_versions.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |

## Check yourself

- When must you save, validate and test a journey again?
- Why does a journey test finish quickly even when the journey has multi-day waits?
- Which value does Journey Builder use to decide whether an entering contact is the same contact?

## Sources

- [Journey Settings](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_settings.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Validate a Journey in Journey Builder](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_validate_your_journey.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Entry Sources](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000232652&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Data Extension Entry Source](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_data_extension.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Choose a Contact Entry Mode](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_choose_a_contact_entry_mode.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Journey Testing](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_testing.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Journey Versions](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=mktg.mc_jb_journey_versions.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Test and Launch a Journey Campaign (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/journey-builder-campaigns/test-and-launch-a-journey-campaign)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 8 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams