You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
SPLUNKSplunk Cloud Certified Admin
The Splunk Cloud Certified Admin certification validates your ability to manage and configure a Splunk Cloud environment on a daily basis. It covers data inputs, forwarder configuration, user accounts, basic monitoring, and problem isolation. This credential is ideal for administrators who support Splunk Cloud deployments, whether they are new to the platform or migrating from on-premises Splunk Enterprise.
Exam format60 multiple choice questions
Duration75 minutes
DeliveryPearson VUE
Free questions928
Content last reviewed 8 April 2025 · Up to date
The certification
What Splunk Cloud Certified Admin proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
13domains
44objectives
282concepts
$130 USDexam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The Splunk Cloud Certified Admin certification demonstrates your proficiency in the day-to-day administration and health of a Splunk Cloud environment. You will learn to manage and configure data inputs, forwarders, and user accounts, as well as monitor system health and isolate basic problems. This certification is designed for administrators who are responsible for keeping Splunk Cloud running smoothly and efficiently.
Earning this certification validates your ability to support Splunk Cloud deployments with confidence. Whether you are a net-new Splunk administrator or migrating from an on-premises environment, this credential asserts your expertise in managing the Splunk Cloud platform. It is a key step in your career as a Splunk professional, opening doors to advanced roles and responsibilities.
Who it’s for
This certification is for platform administrators who manage Splunk Cloud on a daily basis, as well as IT professionals who are new to Splunk Cloud or migrating from on-premises Splunk Enterprise. It is also suitable for cloud migrators who want to demonstrate their competence on the Splunk Cloud platform and enhance their resume. If you are responsible for configuring data inputs, managing forwarders, overseeing user accounts, and ensuring the health of your Splunk Cloud environment, this certification is designed for you. It provides the foundational skills needed to support Splunk Cloud deployments effectively.
Recommended experience
Splunk recommends that candidates have experience with Splunk Cloud administration, including managing data inputs, forwarders, and user accounts, as well as basic monitoring and problem isolation. Experience managing Splunk Cloud environments on a daily basis; Knowledge of data inputs and forwarder configuration; Understanding of user account management in Splunk Cloud; Ability to monitor system health and isolate basic problems
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective Splunk measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official Splunk exam outline · checked 8 April 2025 · See the source
Splunk Cloud Overview
- Describe Cloud topology
- Describe tasks managed by the Splunk cloud administrator
- List the primary differences between Splunk Cloud and Splunk Enterprise
- List differences between Self-Service Cloud and Managed Cloud
Index Management
- Define a Splunk index
- Create indexes in cloud
- Delete data from an index
- Monitor indexing activities
User Authentication and Authorization
- Administer Splunk user roles
- Integrate Splunk with LDAP, Active Directory, or SAML
Splunk Configuration Files
- Review Splunk configuration files and directories
- Review configuration file precedence
- Review index and search time processes
Getting Data in Cloud
- List Splunk forwarder types
- Describe the role of forwarders
- Configure a forwarder to Splunk Cloud
- Test the forwarder connection
- Describe optional forwarder settings
Forwarder Management
- Describe Splunk Deployment Server
- Explain the use of forwarder management
- Configure forwarders to be deployment clients
- Managing forwarders using deployment apps
Monitor Inputs
- Describe the Splunk process for inputting data
- Create file and directory monitor inputs
- Use optional settings for monitor inputs
Network and Other Inputs
- Create network (TCP and UDP) inputs
- Create a basic scripted input
- Describe optional settings for network inputs
- Identify Windows input types and uses
- Use the HTTP Event Collector (HEC) to get data into Splunk
Fine-tuning Inputs
- Describe the default processing that occurs during the input phase
- Configure input phase options, such as sourcetype fine-tuning and character set encoding
Parsing Phase and Data Preview
- Describe the default processing that occurs during parsing
- Optimize and configure event line breaking
- Explain how timestamps and time zones are extracted or assigned to events
- Use Data Preview to validate event creation during the parsing phase
Manipulating Raw Data
- Explain how data transformations are defined and invoked
- Use transformations with props.conf and transforms.conf to modify raw data
- Use SEDCMD to modify raw data
Installing and Managing Apps
- Review the process for installing apps
- Describe private apps
- Describe how apps are managed
Working with Splunk Cloud Support
- Isolate problems before contacting Splunk Cloud Support
- Define the process for working with Splunk Cloud Support
On the day
The exam itself
Everything Splunk publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
Splunk Core Certified Power User
CertificationSplunk Cloud Certified Admin
Exam format60 multiple choice questions
Duration75 minutes
DeliveryPearson VUE
LanguagesEnglish
Pricing$130 USD
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path Splunk lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Splunk Cloud Certified Admin
PrerequisiteSplunk Core Certified Power User
Credential earnedSplunk Cloud Certified Admin Certification Renewal and maintenance
Splunk certifications must be renewed every three years. You can renew by pursuing additional certifications, completing continuing education courses, or retaking the certification exam. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. Splunk maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by Splunk
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Pearson VUE, Splunk’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official Splunk certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the Splunk Cloud Certified Admin exam relate to the Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin exam?
The Splunk Cloud Certified Admin exam focuses specifically on managing Splunk Cloud, while the Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin exam covers on-premises Splunk Enterprise. They are separate certifications, and you can pursue either or both depending on your environment.
Do I need to earn the Splunk Core Certified Power User certification before taking this exam?
Yes, the Splunk Core Certified Power User certification is a mandatory prerequisite for the Splunk Cloud Certified Admin exam.
Is there a hands-on lab component in the Splunk Cloud Certified Admin exam?
No, the exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions only. There is no hands-on lab component.
What is the retake policy if I fail the exam?
Splunk's retake policy requires a waiting period before retaking the exam. Specific waiting periods are outlined in the Splunk Certification Candidate Handbook.
What job roles does the Splunk Cloud Certified Admin certification map to?
This certification is designed for platform administrators who manage Splunk Cloud environments, as well as IT professionals responsible for data inputs, forwarders, and user accounts in Splunk Cloud.
Can I recertify by passing a different Splunk exam?
Yes, you can renew your Splunk Cloud Certified Admin certification by earning a higher-level Splunk certification, such as the Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin or Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2025-04-08 Up to date
Practice free questions 928 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept Splunk measures — each one written out.
13domains
44objectives
282concepts
204free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official Splunk exam outline · checked 8 April 2025 · See the source
1Splunk Cloud Overview138 questions
Describe Cloud topology6 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Describe tasks managed by the Splunk cloud administrator7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →List the primary differences between Splunk Cloud and Splunk Enterprise8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →List differences between Self-Service Cloud and Managed Cloud20 concepts · 11 pagesOpen →
2Index Management59 questions
3User Authentication and Authorization42 questions
4Splunk Configuration Files58 questions
5Getting Data in Cloud99 questions
6Forwarder Management87 questions
7Monitor Inputs79 questions
8Network and Other Inputs103 questions
Create network (TCP and UDP) inputs4 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Create a basic scripted input5 concepts · 2 pagesOpen →Describe optional settings for network inputs8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Identify Windows input types and uses7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Use the HTTP Event Collector (HEC) to get data into Splunk9 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →
9Fine-tuning Inputs27 questions
10Parsing Phase and Data Preview76 questions
Describe the default processing that occurs during parsing7 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Optimize and configure event line breaking7 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Explain how timestamps and time zones are extracted or assigned to events6 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Use Data Preview to validate event creation during the parsing phase7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
11Manipulating Raw Data51 questions
12Installing and Managing Apps55 questions
13Working with Splunk Cloud Support54 questions
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Describe Cloud topology7 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
31 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
928 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
928questions
204pages
44objectives
Freealways
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Splunk Cloud Overview138 questions
2Index Management59 questions
3User Authentication and Authorization42 questions
4Splunk Configuration Files58 questions
5Getting Data in Cloud99 questions
6Forwarder Management87 questions
7Monitor Inputs79 questions
8Network and Other Inputs103 questions
9Fine-tuning Inputs27 questions
10Parsing Phase and Data Preview76 questions
11Manipulating Raw Data51 questions
12Installing and Managing Apps55 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
282concepts
928free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from Splunk
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
2official links
282concepts mapped
The source
Splunk’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official Splunk outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 44 objectives, 282 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When Splunk changes the outline, this page changes with it.
44objectives on the outline→282concepts written→928free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.