Free Practice Questions for ServiceNow CSA Exam

TheAutomated Test Framework (ATF)is thebuilt-in testing frameworkin ServiceNow used totest applications, including Server-side scripts and logic.

Enablesautomated testing of ServiceNow applicationswithout manual effort.

Can testserver-sidescripts (e.g., Business Rules, Script Includes, and Workflows).

SupportsUI testingfor forms, lists, and portals.

Reduces testing time and enhancesrelease reliability.

ServiceNow is alow-code/no-codeplatform, so ATF provides aplatform-specifictesting tool.

ATF allowstest creation without coding, making it easy for administrators and developers to use.

Integrates with Continuous Integration (CI/CD) pipelinesto ensuresmooth updates.

Key Features of ATF:Why ATF is Used for Testing ServiceNow Applications?

A. Selenium →Incorrect

Seleniumis used forweb UI automation, but it isnot built into ServiceNow.

ATF is thepreferredtesting framework for ServiceNow applications.

B. Test Driven Framework (TDF) →Incorrect

No such frameworkcalled "Test Driven Framework" in ServiceNow.

TDD (Test-Driven Development)is asoftware development methodology, not a testing tool.

C. JUnit →Incorrect

JUnit is a Java-based testing frameworkused for Java applications.

ServiceNow scripts useJavaScript, not Java.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Automated Test Framework (ATF)

Official ServiceNow Documentation Reference:

In ServiceNow, thewait timefor end users is influenced by theround-trip timebetween the client (browser) and the server. The round-trip consists of two key activities:

Request– The client sends a request to the server (e.g., when a user opens a record, submits a form, or performs an action).

Response– The server processes the request and sends back the required data to the client.

This cycle directly affects the perceived performance of the ServiceNow instance, as delays in request processing or data retrieval can lead to a slower user experience.

Minimizing client-server interactionsis a best practice for optimizing performance.

Using GlideAjax or Asynchronous Callscan help reduce unnecessary round-trips.

Client-side scripting best practices(e.g., reducing the number of server lookups) improve response times.

Performance Considerations:Incorrect Answers Explanation:B.Save + Update– Saving and updating are database operations, but they do not define the full round-trip.

C.Write + Read– Writing and reading refer to database interactions, not the client-server exchange process.

D.Submit + Query– Submission and querying are user actions, but they do not encompass the entire round-trip process.

E.Insert + Verify– Inserting a record and verifying it are database actions, not the round-trip process.

ServiceNow Documentation→"Client-Side Scripting Best Practices"

ServiceNow Performance Best Practices→ "Understanding Client-Server Round-Trips"

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

Applying anUpdate Setin ServiceNow follows a structured process to ensure that changes are correctly transferred from one instance to another.

Retrieve– The update set is fetched from the remote instance or uploaded manually.

Preview– The system analyzes the update set for potential conflicts or missing dependencies.

Commit– The update set is applied to the target instance, implementing the changes.

Retrieve:

The update set ispulledfrom a remote instance (such as from a development to a test instance) using the "Retrieve Update Set" option.

Alternatively, anXML filecontaining the update set can be manually uploaded.

Preview:

Before applying, ServiceNow checks forconflicts or missing dependencies.

It ensures that the update set will not introduce errors or inconsistencies.

If conflicts are detected, they must be resolved before committing.

Commit:

The update set is permanently applied to the instance.

The system integrates the changes into the instance’s configuration and logs the update.

B. Specify, Transform, Apply:

This does not reflect the correct update set process.

"Transform" is a term used in data imports, not update sets.

C. Retrieve, Assess, Apply:

There is no official "Assess" step in the update set process.

The correct term is "Preview" because it checks dependencies and conflicts before committing.

D. Get, Test, Push:

"Push" is not a valid step in applying an update set.

Instead, update sets are retrieved and committed, not "pushed."

E. Pull, Review, Push:

"Push" is not part of the update set application process.

The official process uses "Retrieve," not "Pull."

Steps for Applying an Update Set:Explanation of Each Step:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?Official ServiceNow Documentation Reference:For more details, refer to the official ServiceNow documentation:

Update Set Overview

Applying Update Sets

InService Catalog Management,categoriesare used tologically group catalog itemsto make navigation easier for users. Categories help organize items into meaningful sections, ensuring that users canquickly locatethe services they need.

For example:

"Software Requests" can be a category containing catalog items like "Microsoft Office," "Adobe Photoshop," and "VPN Access."

"Hardware Requests" can include items like "Laptops," "Monitors," and "Keyboards."

A. Variable Sets–Variable sets are reusable groups of variables for catalog items, but they do not organize items into groups.

B. Catalog Items–Catalog items refer to individual service requests (e.g., "Request a Laptop"), but they are grouped usingcategories, not other catalog items.

C. Sections–Sections are used informsto group related variables together, not for organizing catalog items.

To add a field to a form in ServiceNow, you can use two primary methods:

How to access:Right-click on the form header → SelectConfigure > Form Layout

Functionality:

Provides a simple interface toadd, remove, or reorder fieldson a form.

Allows adding new fields directly from the available database fields.

Suitable for basic form modifications without needing a drag-and-drop UI.

How to access:Click on thecontext menu(three horizontal bars on the top-left of the form) → SelectConfigure > Form Designer

Functionality:

Adrag-and-dropinterface to add, remove, or rearrange fields easily.

Enables more advanced customization, such as addingsections and UI policies.

Provides a visual representation of the form’s structure.

1. Configure > Form Layout2. Configure > Form Designer

Incorrect Answer Choices Explanation:A. Select Fields and Columns module– No such module exists for direct form editing. Fields are defined at the table level but not directly added to forms here.

D. Select Field Class Manager module– This module does not exist; it is not used for adding fields to forms.

ServiceNow Documentation: Form ConfigurationConfigure a Form

ServiceNow Form Designer GuideForm Designer

Official CSA Documentation Reference:

When usingHigh Security Settingsin ServiceNow, administrators often gaintemporary elevated privileges. To revert to normal security levels, they mustlog out and back into refresh their session.

High Security Settingsprovide elevated security configurations and mayoverride standard role-based access controls.

Logging outclears any temporary security settingsand restores normal administrator privileges.

This is therecommended practiceafter making security changes.

Why is Option B Correct?

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?A. Select Normal role

Incorrectbecausethere is no "Normal" rolein ServiceNow.

C. Use System Administration > Normal Security module

Incorrectbecausethere is no "Normal Security" modulein ServiceNow.

D. Select Global Update Set

Incorrectbecause Update Sets controlcustomizations and configurations,not security settings.

E. End Impersonation

Incorrectbecause ending impersonation onlyswitches back to the admin accountif you were impersonating a user.

Itdoes not resetsecurity settings from High Security Mode.

ServiceNow CSA Guide - High Security Settings

ServiceNow Best Practices - Managing Security Configurations

References to Official Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

When importing data into ServiceNow, thefirst stepin theImport Set processisloading the datainto a temporaryImport Set table. This is done using theLoad Datamodule.

Load Data (First Step)

This step imports raw data from a source file (e.g., CSV, Excel, XML) into anImport Set tablein ServiceNow.

No transformation occurs at this stage; it simply moves data into a temporary staging table.

Create Transform Map & Apply Transform

After loading, aTransform Mapis used to map fields from the Import Set table to the target table (e.g., Incident, CMDB, Users).

TheTransform Datastep converts and inserts data into the final table.

Coalesce to Avoid Duplicates

Coalescing is an optional step that determines whether existing records should be updated or if new records should be created.

A. Coalesce Data(Incorrect)

Coalescingis used during theTransform phaseto prevent duplicate records but is not the first step.

B. Transform Data(Incorrect)

Transforming data occursafter it has been loadedinto the Import Set table.

C. Import Data(Incorrect)

No such specific module exists as"Import Data"; the process begins with "Load Data."

Importing Data Using Import Sets:https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/import-sets/concept/c_ImportDataUsingImportSets.html

Load Data Module in ServiceNow:https://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/import-sets/task/t_LoadData.html

Steps in Importing Data:Explanation of Incorrect Options:Official References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

Thekey differencebetweenReportingandPerformance Analytics (PA)is how they handle data over time.

Showsreal-time datafrom tables.

Runs queries on dataat the momentthe report is generated.

Cannot analyze historical trendsunless data is manually stored.

Used forstatic reports, lists, charts, or dashboards.

Capturessnapshotsof data at scheduled intervals (e.g., daily, weekly).

Tracks trends and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)over time.

Helps organizationsforecast and analyze historical patterns.

Used forbusiness intelligence and proactive decision-making.

ReportingPerformance Analytics (PA)

Incorrect Answer Choices Explanation:B. Performance Analytics can show trends; Reports cannot.

Reporting can show trends usingaggregated data(e.g., grouped by date), butPA is specifically designedfor tracking trends over time.

C. Reports can be run on a scheduled basis; Performance Analytics cannot.

BothReports and PA can be scheduledto run at regular intervals.

D. Performance Analytics data can be published to Dashboards; Reports cannot.

Reportscanbe published todashboards, just like Performance Analytics.

E. Performance Analytics shows KPIs; Reporting does not.

Reports candisplay KPIsusing calculated metrics and aggregations, butPA is optimizedfor KPI tracking over time.

Performance Analytics vs. Reporting

ServiceNow Reporting Overview

Official CSA Documentation Reference:

TheCMDB Builderis the primary tool used inServiceNow’s Configuration Management Database (CMDB)for creating and managingdependencies between Configuration Items(CIs). It provides agraphical interfacethat allows administrators and CMDB managers to visualize and define relationships between CIs efficiently.

Visual Representation of CI Dependencies:

CMDB Builder provides agraphical interfacethat allows users tocreate, modify, and deleterelationships between Configuration Items (CIs).

It helps in identifyingimpact analysisandservice dependenciesby mapping CIs and their relationships.

Supports Complex CI Relationships:

Allows definingparent-child,peer, anddependencyrelationships between CIs.

Helps in ensuring the accuracy ofservice mapsandIT asset relationships.

Drag-and-Drop Functionality:

Users candrag and dropCIs onto the builder canvas andconnect them using predefined relationships.

Integration with CMDB Relationship Rules:

CMDB Builder adheres toCMDB relationship rulesto ensure that onlyvalidrelationships are created.

Impact and Root Cause Analysis:

Helps introubleshooting IT incidentsby showing thedependencies between services.

Useful inchange managementto predict potentialimpactson downstream services before making changes.

Key Features of CMDB Builder:

A. CI Relationship Editor:

TheCI Relationship Editorallows users toview and edit relationshipsbetween CIs in atabular formatbutdoes not provide a graphical dependency visualizationlike CMDB Builder.

It is moremanual and less interactivecompared to CMDB Builder.

C. CI Service Manager:

CI Service Manageris used for managingCI service mappingsbut isnot primarily a tool for creating dependencies between CIs.

It is more focused ondefining service-level relationshipsrather thanbuilding CMDB dependency models.

D. CI Class Manager:

CI Class Manageris used formanaging CI classes, attributes, and extending CMDB class structures.

It is not used forcreating dependencies between configuration items.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

ServiceNow CMDB Guide:CMDB Builder Overview

ServiceNow Best Practices for CMDB:CMDB Relationship Management

ServiceNow Admin Documentation:Understanding CMDB Dependency Management

References from the Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

Final Answer:CMDB Builder (Option B) is the correct answer, as it is the primary tool used to create, manage, and visualize dependencies between CIs in ServiceNow's CMDB.