# Test pyramid, UAT and smoke testing methodology

*Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect Study Guide · Testing · Last updated October 26, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-development-lifecycle-and-deployment-architect/testing/test-pyramid-uat-and-smoke-testing-methodology*

How to balance unit, integration and end-to-end tests in a test pyramid, where user acceptance testing and post-deployment smoke tests fit, and how to make automated tests independent, deterministic and focused on business logic.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect
- Exam section: Testing
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-development-lifecycle-and-deployment-architect

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a customer scenario, describe and recommend an appropriate testing methodology.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a balanced test pyramid and assign each check to its layer: Apex unit tests, Jest, integration tests, a few browser end-to-end tests.
- Place user acceptance testing (UAT) in the release path, plan its preparation and explain what its sign-off means.
- Add post-deployment smoke tests, and explain why a successful deployment does not prove production works.
- Diagnose flaky, order-dependent or low-value tests and recommend the fix: synchronization, independence, testing business logic.
- Choose the environment for each kind of testing, including production behind a feature flag.

Key terms: **test pyramid** (many fast unit tests, fewer integration tests, few end-to-end tests), **integration test** (checks that components work together), **UAT** (end-user testing in a sandbox that confirms what was requested is delivered), **smoke test** (a quick check of critical flows right after release), **feature flag** (configuration that keeps deployed code off until enabled).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramid proportions | Hundreds of unit, dozens of integration, under 20 E2E tests | [DevOps Patterns](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/well-architected/guide/operational-excellence-devops-patterns.html) |
| Jest for LWC | No browser, no org; LWC only, not Aura | [Test LWC](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/lwc/guide/testing.html) |
| Coverage and quality | Coverage doesn't guarantee test effectiveness | [Testing and Code Coverage](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_code_coverage_intro.htm) |
| Flow test plan | Every path including default, boundaries, fault paths, different users | [Flow Testing](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_testing.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| CI environment | Scratch org per change; Developer sandbox refreshes once a day | [Testing and Continuous Delivery](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/sfdx_dev_model/sfdx_dev_model_release) |
| Release rehearsal | Install the build's package version in a sandbox | [Testing and Continuous Delivery](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/sfdx_dev_model/sfdx_dev_model_release) |
| Migration rehearsal | Full Copy sandbox: complete production data and configuration | [DevOps Patterns](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/well-architected/guide/operational-excellence-devops-patterns.html) |
| UAT | End users, in a sandbox, last stage before go-live, formal sign-off | [Learn About UAT](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-acceptance-testing-video/learn-about-user-acceptance-testing) |
| Smoke tests | Critical flows, endpoints, key functions right after release | [DevOps Patterns](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/well-architected/guide/operational-excellence-devops-patterns.html) |

## Check yourself

- Why do end-to-end browser tests stay at the top of the pyramid in small numbers?
- When does UAT happen, and who runs it?
- Why are scratch orgs better than Developer sandboxes for CI test runs?
- Which four things should a flow test plan cover?

## Sources

- [Operational Excellence - DevOps Patterns](https://architect.salesforce.com/docs/architect/well-architected/guide/operational-excellence-devops-patterns.html)
- [Learn About User Acceptance Testing](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/user-acceptance-testing-video/learn-about-user-acceptance-testing)
- [Testing Your Flow Before Activation](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.flow_concepts_testing.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Effective Strategies for Testing and Continuous Delivery](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/sfdx_dev_model/sfdx_dev_model_release)
- [Writing Tests](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_intro_writing_tests.htm)
- [Testing and Code Coverage](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.apexcode.meta/apexcode/apex_code_coverage_intro.htm)
- [Test Lightning Web Components](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/platform/lwc/guide/testing.html)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 13 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams