What background do I need to take the PEGACPLSA23V1 exam?

You must be a Certified Pega Senior System Architect with at least 36 months of field experience. This is a Lead System Architect level certification, not an entry-level exam, so the prerequisite reflects the advanced knowledge expected.

How hard is the PEGACPLSA23V1 exam and how long should I prepare?

This is an advanced certification exam testing complex enterprise architecture decisions. Most candidates with the required background spend 4 to 8 weeks preparing, focusing on real-world design scenarios and the specific objective areas where they have less hands-on experience.

Which objective area is the hardest in PEGACPLSA23V1 and how should I approach it?

Security Design and Application Design Extended tend to be the most challenging because they require understanding multiple interconnected design decisions. Build your knowledge by working through case studies that involve end-to-end security implementations and complex workflow scenarios.

What is the passing score for PEGACPLSA23V1?

The official passing score is published on the Pega Academy exam page, and you should verify the current passing score when you register for the exam as it may be updated. Most Pegasystems architecture exams require between 65% and 75% to pass.

How is the PEGACPLSA23V1 exam delivered?

The exam is proctored by Pearson VUE and you can take it online with remote proctoring from your home or office, or at a physical Pearson VUE testing centre. You will have 120 minutes to complete 60 questions that include multiple choice, scenario-based questions, and drag-and-drop items.

What are the retake and rescheduling rules for PEGACPLSA23V1?

You can take PEGACPLSA23V1 up to three times in a 12-month period starting from your first attempt. After failing, you must wait three calendar days before a second attempt and fourteen calendar days before a third attempt. Rescheduling is allowed with fees.

How long does the Pega Lead System Architect certification stay valid?

Pega certifications do not expire. Once you earn your CPLSA certification, it remains active indefinitely. However, Pegasystems periodically releases new versions of exams, and you may want to stay current with the latest platform version.

What job role does PEGACPLSA23V1 prepare you for?

This certification prepares you for a Lead System Architect role, where you would guide large-scale Pega implementations, make critical architecture decisions, and mentor other system architects on design best practices.

Where does PEGACPLSA23V1 fit in the Pega certification track?

PEGACPLSA23V1 is the first exam in the Certified Pega Lead System Architect certification journey. After passing this architecture exam, you must also pass two additional exams: the Application Design exam and the Application Build exam to complete the full CPLSA certification.

Can I use Pega Express patterns and microjourney concepts on the job after passing PEGACPLSA23V1?

Yes. This exam covers Pega Express best practices and microjourney analysis as design foundations, so the patterns and approaches you study are directly applicable to real-world application design work you will do as a Lead System Architect.

PEGACPLSA23V1 Practice Questions with Explained Answers

5 Free Questions · Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 · Prepared & Reviewed by the ValidExamDumps Editorial Team

Question 1 Domain 7Security Design

[Security Design]

In the HRApp application, authorized users handle salary reviews by using the SalaryReview case type. You want to restrict access to only human resources staff and managers. What is the best possible solution to achieve this outcome?

AAssign the HRApp:SalaryReview role to the HRApp:HRStaff and HRApp:Managers access groups. Ensure that the HRApp:SalaryReview role has permission to open the SalaryReview case type.

BUse client-based access control to track and process requests related to personal customer data.

CImplement attribute-based access control to manage access based on user attributes dynamically.

DDefine an access policy that explicitly prevents access to the SalaryReview case type for all users except HRApp:HRStaff and HRApp:Managers.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation Role-based access control is the foundation of authorization in Pega. By assigning the HRApp:SalaryReview role to the HRStaff and Managers access groups, you create a clear permission boundary. The role itself must have explicit permission to open the SalaryReview case type. This approach scales better than attribute-based methods for straightforward department restrictions. Other options like creating custom rules or using data visibility might introduce unnecessary complexity without adding security value.

Question 2 Domain 5Data Model Design

[Data Modeling]

A multinational corporation operates several warehouses around the world. Due to varying regional regulations, market demands, and operational hours, the specifics of each warehouse, including its manager, location, and working hours, differ significantly. To streamline logistics and inventory management, employees must identify and interact with their nearest warehouse as part of their operational duties. Oversight of warehouse listings is maintained by a centralized logistics management team. What is the most suitable strategy for managing the warehouse details?

AAdopt a data-instance-last design pattern for handling requests related to warehouse management, with tasks assigned to the logistics management team.

BIntegrate a work queue widget into the logistics management team's dashboard that assigns them the responsibility of updating and managing warehouse information.

CEmploy a data-instance-first design pattern and provide a user interface for the logistics team to oversee warehouse details, with responsibilities allocated to the logistics management team.

DConstruct a dedicated portal for warehouse management, accessible only to the logistics management team, and implement a data-instance-only design pattern.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation The data-instance-first design pattern suits scenarios where you have multiple instances of a similar entity that users interact with based on their context. Warehouses fit this perfectly since each warehouse is a distinct record with its own attributes. A centralized logistics team managing the warehouse master data ensures consistency across regions. This pattern allows employees to find their nearest warehouse while keeping the source of truth with the central team. Greenfield modeling or class-based approaches would not address the instance-specific nature of regional warehouses.

Question 3 Domain 2Pega Platform Design Extended

[User Experience (UX) Design]

As a Lead System Architect, you must ensure that a Pega application implementation is inclusive and accessible to diverse users, including those with disabilities. You are focusing on implementing design practices that cater to users with various needs, including those who use assistive technologies such as screen readers. With this goal in mind, which two of the following practices do you prioritize when you design an accessible application? (Choose Two)

AUse link controls over buttons to improve the readability of the application.

BImplement responsive layouts to ensure compatibility with different device screen sizes.

CUse inline styles to enhance the overall readability of the application.

DRefrain from relying on key commands, because they might interfere with the functionality of screen readers.

Correct Answer: B, D

Explanation Accessible UX design means building for users with disabilities from the start. Responsive layouts ensure that assistive technologies and various devices work together properly. Screen readers depend on proper semantic markup and predictable navigation, so avoiding keyboard command shortcuts prevents conflicts with screen reader navigation itself. Color-only indicators and complex animations would fail other accessibility criteria. Accessibility audits and usability testing are useful but not design practices you implement directly into the interface.

Question 4 Domain 3Application Design

[Application Design]

Which two of the following business use cases require the case-instance-first design pattern for implementation in Pega applications? (Choose Two)

AIn a sports competition management system, users must be assigned to an existing sports competition case to provide a final score.

BIn an event management system, event schedule preparation involves an approval process after a monthly schedule calendar is prepared.

CIn a healthcare management system, a patient's medical history is captured before processing diagnostic needs and scheduling an appointment with a specialist.

DIn an e-commerce platform, customers can browse products and add them to their cart prior to proceeding to the checkout and billing process.

Correct Answer: A, C

Explanation Case-instance-first design applies when work must be assigned to an existing case instance rather than creating a new case. In the sports competition example, users join a specific competition case to add their score. In healthcare, the patient record (an instance) is created first, then diagnostic needs are processed within that patient context. Both scenarios show how existing instances hold the context for subsequent work. Case-record-first would create new cases instead, which does not fit either scenario. The pattern choice depends on whether your business logic centers on existing entities or new transactions.

Question 5 Domain 7Security Design

[Security Design]

In the HRApp application, there are sensitive reports related to hiring and compensation. These reports must only be accessible to senior executives. What is the best possible way to achieve this requirement?

AImplement a role-based access control system that restricts access to the reports based on the role of the user.

BUse the Access Control Check feature in Pega Platform to identify any potential security risks in the custom code.

CAssign the HRApp:SeniorExec role to the relevant users and ensure that this role has the necessary permissions for the reports.

DImplement a data masking strategy to protect sensitive data in the reports.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation Role-based access control provides the cleanest way to restrict sensitive reports to a specific user group. You define which role can access the reports and assign that role only to senior executives. This approach is maintainable because role assignments stay in one place rather than scattered across different access rules. Attribute-based control could work but adds complexity when a simple role assignment does the job. Data visibility rules are for case-level data, not for controlling access to reports themselves.

Domain 1: Pega Platform Design 10%

Recognize the significance of Center-out business architecture and its importance in designing Pega enterprise applications. Understand deployment options and how they affect design decisions. Incorporate application monitoring and performance. Use distributed application case interactions. Leverage Pega applications and identify when to incorporate other Pega products. Know about multitenancy architecture and high availability features. Awareness of features like Pega Process Fabric, Pega Mobile, and Pega Intelligent Virtual Assistant. Knowledge on Hazelcast, containerization, and cloud deployment architecture. Aware of Agile Workbench and Agile Studio functionalities.

Domain 2: Pega Platform Design Extended 10%

Adoption of App Studio in application development. Understand Prediction Studio and Admin Studio. Reuse assets and relevant records, configuration sets. UX design fundamentals, DX API, Constellation. User experience and accessibility.

Sample question from this domain above: Q3

Domain 3: Application Design 15%

Analysis of Microjourney in designing Pega applications. Know about design approach in application structure. Pega Express best practices and case design patterns. Design an effective case structure and case hierarchy. Evaluate when to use circumstance, class, ruleset, and application specialization. Understand how specialization layers can be designed.

Sample question from this domain above: Q4

Domain 4: Application Design Extended 15%

Best practices in work assignment and case participants. Case routing and Get Next work feature customization. Understanding alternative ways to find work. Handling flow changes for cases in-flight. Resolving flow issues by using problem flows. Handling processing using advanced background processing techniques. Designing asynchronous integration. Utilize job schedules and queue processors. Know about stream services and usage. Data flows and data sets capability in Pega Infinity.

Domain 5: Data Model Design 10%

Data relationship fundamentals. Greenfield data modelling and extending existing data models. Usage of Pega data pages and data virtualization layer. Design a case data model to support reuse and integrity. Maintain data integrity and best practices. Dynamic class reference and polymorphism in data modeling. Extend an industry foundation model. Know the benefits of using an industry foundation data model.

Sample question from this domain above: Q2

Domain 7: Security Design 15%

Determine the appropriate authentication model or strategy for a given use. Determine the appropriate authorization model for a given use case, including role versus attribute-based access. Identify and configure roles and access groups for an application. Establish dependent roles hierarchy. Determine the rule security mode. Identify security risks and potential vulnerabilities. Detect and mitigate possible attacks. Secure a Pega application in production. Use security event logging. Use security best practices.

Sample questions from this domain above: Q1 Q5

Pegasystems PEGACPLSA23V1 Practice Exam Questions & Answers

Pegasystems PEGACPLSA23V1 Exam Details

Free PEGACPLSA23V1 Practice Questions

What the Pegasystems PEGACPLSA23V1 Exam Covers

PEGACPLSA23V1 Exam FAQ