Free Practice Questions for ServiceNow CSA Exam

When testing acatalog itemwith amanager approval flow, it's important to verify that the request submission, approval process, and workflow execution are working as expected. Following best practices ensures that the process functions correctly before deployment.

Why These Options Are Correct?A. Make sure the latest flows are activated.

ServiceNowflow designerallows admins to create and manageapproval flowsfor catalog items.

Before testing, it's crucial to verify that the latest version of the flow isactivated, ensuring that the system runs the correct approval logic.

C. Impersonate the requester to ensure the form works.

Impersonationallows administrators totest the user experiencewithout logging in as different users manually.

This is essential to verify thatnon-admin userscan correctlysubmit the requestand trigger the approval process.

D. Make sure the requester's user record has a manager specified.

Themanager approval flowrelies on the requester'sManagerfield in their user record.

If this field is empty, the approval requestwill not be sent to the correct manager, causing the workflow to fail.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?B. Use the instance Incognito setting to quickly toggle between requester and approver.

There isno "Incognito setting"in ServiceNow to toggle users.

Thecorrect methodis using theimpersonatefeature.

E. Create and select your Testing Update Set, before starting the test cases.

WhileUpdate Setstrack customizations, they arenot required for testinga catalog item’s approval workflow.

Update Sets are primarily used formigrating changesbetween instances (e.g., from Dev to Test).

F. Use your Admin account, so you can approve the items quickly.

Admin accountsoverride approval workflowsand do not provide an accurate test.

The correct method is toimpersonate the requester and approver roles separatelyto ensure the workflow works as expected.

ServiceNow Flow Designer - Approval Workflow Testing Best Practices

ServiceNow Impersonation Feature for User Testing

ServiceNow ITSM - Catalog Item Testing & Validation

References to Official Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow Knowledge Management, thepublishing and retiring process for knowledge articlesis managed throughWorkflows. These workflows define the steps an article must go through before it is published, updated, or retired.

Submission:

A user creates a knowledge article and submits it for approval.

Approval Process:

Based on the workflow, an article may require manager or SME (Subject Matter Expert) approval.

Publishing:

Once approved, the article ispublishedand made available in the Knowledge Base.

Updating & Versioning:

If edits are needed, the article enters adraft or reviewstate.

Retirement:

When an article is no longer needed, it follows the workflow toretire or archiveit.

Knowledge Approval Publish(requires approval before publishing)

Knowledge Instant Publish(automatically publishes the article)

Knowledge Retire(handles retiring or archiving articles)

A. Approval Policies(Incorrect)

ServiceNow does not use a separate "Approval Policy" for knowledge articles; approvals are managed within the workflow.

B. Approval Definitions(Incorrect)

There is no such specific feature in ServiceNow. Approvals are configured within workflows, not separate definitions.

C. Workflow Designer(Incorrect)

TheWorkflow Designeris a tool used tocreate workflows, but it does not control the publishing process directly. The workflows themselves do.

E. State Lifecycle(Incorrect)

While knowledge articleshave a lifecycle (Draft → Review → Published → Retired), this is controlledby workflows, not by an independent "State Lifecycle" feature.

Knowledge Workflows Overview:https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/rome-servicenow-platform/page/product/knowledge-management/reference/r_KnowledgeWorkflows.html

ServiceNow Knowledge Management Process:https://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-it-service-management/page/product/knowledge-management/concept/knowledge-management-overview.html

How Workflows Control Knowledge Article Publishing & Retiring:Common Knowledge Workflows in ServiceNow:Explanation of Incorrect Options:Official References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

On theReports pagein ServiceNow, different sections allow users to seewhich reports are visibleto various audiences.

Why These Options Are Correct?C. My reports

Displaysreports created by the logged-in user.

These reports areprivateunless explicitly shared.

E. Dashboards

Dashboardsconsolidate multiple reports andmake them visible to specific audiences.

Users canshare dashboardswith groups or individuals.

F. Global

Global reportsare available toall users with reporting access.

These reports arenot restrictedto a specific user or group.

I. All

The"All" sectionlistsevery report the user has access to, including:

Personal reports

Shared reports

Global reports

Reports from dashboards

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?A. Group

There isno "Group" sectionin the Reports page.

However, reports can beshared with groups, but there is no direct"Group" view.

B. Department

Departments do not determine report visibilityin the Reports page.

Report access is controlled byroles, users, and groups, not departments.

D. Team

Teams are not a standard report visibility categoryin ServiceNow.

Reports are shared atuser, role, and global levels, not by "Team."

G. Admin

There isno "Admin" sectionin the Reports page.

However,Admins can access all reportsvia the"All" section.

H. Analytics

Analytics is a separate modulein ServiceNow, primarily used forPerformance Analytics (PA)anddashboards.

It is not a standardreport visibility section.

J. Company

There isno "Company" sectionin the Reports page.

Reports can beshared at a global level, but not specifically by "Company."

ServiceNow Reports - Managing Visibility and Access

ServiceNow Reporting Guide - Sections of the Reports Page

ServiceNow Dashboards and Report Sharing Best Practices

References to Official Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow,Import Setsallow administrators toimport and transform datafrom external sources into ServiceNow tables. The platform supports multiple file formats for importing data, includingXML, CSV, and Excel.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

Used for structured data exchange between systems.

ServiceNow canimport XML filescontaining records formatted according to its schema.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values)

One of the most common formats for bulk data imports.

ServiceNow can processCSV filesand map them to target tables.

Excel (XLS/XLSX)

ServiceNow allows direct imports fromMicrosoft Excel spreadsheets.

Users can upload Excel files via the Import Set UI.

Supported Data Formats for Import Sets:

Import Data:The user uploads a supported file (XML, CSV, or Excel) into an Import Set table.

Mapping:The imported data is mapped to target tables using aTransform Map.

Transformation & Processing:Data is transformed, validated, and inserted into the correct destination tables.

How Import Sets Work in ServiceNow:

A. CSS, SOAP, and Excel→CSS is a styling language, and SOAP is a protocol, not a data format.

C. SOAP, REST, and XML→SOAP and REST areweb service protocols, not file formats used for import sets. XML is valid but alone is insufficient.

D. XML, SOAP, and CSS→SOAP and CSS are incorrect as they are not standard import file formats.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

ServiceNow Documentation:Importing Data into ServiceNow

CSA Exam Guide:Coverssupported data formats for Import Sets (XML, CSV, and Excel).

TheApplication Integration and Plugin Delivery (A1PD) SpokeBatch Installplugin inServiceNowallows users to installmultiple applications, customizations, and pluginsat once.

Batch Installation

Enables administrators to install multiple applications or pluginssimultaneously, reducing manual effort.

Automated Delivery

Facilitatesautomated deploymentof related applications and customizations.

Improved Instance Management

Ensures consistent configurations across multiple instances (e.g.,Dev → Test → Prod).

B. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CICD) SpokeBatch Install

Incorrect: CICD is used forversion control and automated deployments, not plugin installation.

C. Multiple Integration and Process Delivery (MIPD) SpokeBatch Install

Incorrect: No such ServiceNow plugin exists.

D. Quick Integration and Multiple Delivery (QIMD) SpokeBatch Install

Incorrect: No such ServiceNow feature exists.

Key Features of A1PD SpokeBatch Install:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A1PD Plugin Overview

ServiceNow Plugin Installation

Application Integration Best Practices

Managing Installed Applications

References from ServiceNow CSA Documentation:Final Verification:Answer is 100% correct and aligned with official ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) documentation.

TheCommon Services Data Model (CSDM)is a standardized framework within ServiceNow that provides a shared set of service-related definitions across ServiceNow products and the platform. It ensures consistency inservice reporting, CMDB structure, and configuration strategies, enabling organizations to achieve awell-structured, scalable, and maintainable Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

Why is the Answer A. Common Services Data Model (CSDM)?The statements in the question directly align with the objectives of CSDM:

"A standard and shared set of service-related definitions across ServiceNow products and platform that will enable and support true service level reporting."

CSDM provides a structured framework toalign services, applications, and infrastructurein a way that supports consistent reporting and governance.

It enablesaccurate service reportingby defining standardized relationships between services, applications, and technical components in the CMDB.

"A CMDB framework across our products and platform that will enable and support multiple configuration strategies."

CSDM provides astructured CMDB frameworkthat definesbest practices for data organization and relationships within the CMDB.

It supports multiple configuration strategies, such asapplication-centric, service-centric, and infrastructure-centric approaches.

B. Information Technology Service Management (ITSM):

ITSM refers toprocesses for managing IT services, such as Incident, Problem, Change, and Service Request Management.

While ITSM benefits from CSDM, itdoes not define a structured CMDB frameworklike CSDM does.

C. Configuration Management Database (CMDB):

CMDB is a database that stores configuration items (CIs) and their relationships.

CSDMprovides structure and best practicesfor CMDB but is not the same as CMDB itself.

D. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL):

ITIL is aset of best practicesfor IT service management.

It provides general guidance onservice management and CMDB usage, butit is not a ServiceNow-specific frameworklike CSDM.

ServiceNow Common Services Data Model (CSDM) Overview:ServiceNow Documentation

CSDM and CMDB Best Practices Guide(ServiceNow Community and Knowledge Base)

CMDB and ServiceNow Data Model Best Practices

Why Not the Other Options?References from the Certified System Administrator (CSA) Official Documentation:CSDM is critical forensuring a structured and governed CMDB, enabling service visibility, and supporting ITSM and ITOM processes effectively.

In ServiceNow, the"Service Desk > My Groups Work"module is designed to display tasks assigned to a groupbut not yet assigned to an individual user.This means that even if an IT manager oversees theNetworkandHardwareassignment groups, they will not see any tasks in this listif all tasks have already been assigned to specific individualswithin the group.

Let’s break down whyoption Ais the correct answer and why the other options are incorrect:

The"My Groups Work"list only shows tasks that are assigned to thegroupbut have not been assigned to a specificindividualwithin the group.

If all tasks are assigned to specificteam members, then the manager will not see any tasks in this list.

The IT manager can verify this by navigating to theTask List(e.g., Incidents, Changes, or Requests) and filtering by theNetworkandHardwareassignment groups.

Explanation for Correct Answer (A):

Theitil roleallows users toview, create, update, and resolve incidents, changes, problems, and other ITSM tasks.

However, not having this role wouldrestrict accessto various ITSM functionalities, but itdoes notimpact whether tasks appear inMy Groups Work.

If the manager lacks theitilrole, they might have trouble accessing or modifying tasks, but this wouldn't explain why they don’t see anything in the list.

TheService Desk groupis a separate entity in ServiceNow, typically associated with incident handling and user support.

TheMy Groups Workmodule isnot restricted to the Service Desk group—it displays work assigned toany groupthe user belongs to.

Since the manager is responsible for theNetwork and Hardwaregroups, being part of theService Deskgroup is irrelevant.

If the manager wasnot a memberof these groups, they wouldn't seeany group-related tasksat all.

However, the question states that the manager isresponsible for these groups, so it’s reasonable to assume they are either a member or at least agroup managerwith visibility.

Even if they were just a manager and not an officialgroup member, they would still be able to see the tasks assigned to the groups.

TheAssignment Group managerfield is an informational field that indicates who manages a group.

This fielddoes not controlwhat is displayed in theMy Groups Workmodule.

Even if this field were empty, it wouldn’t prevent a manager (who is a group member) from seeing unassigned tasks.

Explanation for Incorrect Answers:(B) The manager does not have the itil role.(C) The manager is not a member of the Service Desk group.(D) The manager is not a member of the Network and Hardware groups.(E) The Assignment Group manager field is empty.

ServiceNow CSA Guide - User Interface and Navigation

ServiceNow ITSM Fundamentals - Incident and Task Management

ServiceNow Role-Based Access Controls and Group Management

ServiceNow KB Articles - My Groups Work Module

References to Official Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow, aroleis arecord stored in the sys_user_role tablethat defines a set ofpermissionsfor users. Roles determine what users cansee and dowithin the platform by granting access to applications, modules, and specific functionalities.

Stored in thesys_user_roletable.

Assignpermissionsto users and groups.

Define access toapplications, modules, and records.

Can beinheritedby users throughgroup membership.

Used inAccess Control Rules (ACLs)to restrict or allow access to records.

Key Features of Roles in ServiceNow:Common Roles in ServiceNow:Role Name

Description

admin

Full system access, including configuration and security settings.

itil

Allows access to IT Service Management (ITSM) modules like Incident, Change, and Problem.

catalog_admin

Manages the Service Catalog.

knowledge_manager

Manages the Knowledge Base.

Roles arestored as recordsin thesys_user_roletable.

Each role grantsspecific permissionsto users.

Users can have multiple roles assigned to them.

B. A role is one record in the Role [user_sys_role] table – Incorrect

The correct table name issys_user_role, not "user_sys_role".

C. A role is a persona used in Live Feed Chat – Incorrect

Live Feed is a collaboration tool, butroles are not personas for chat.

D. A role is a set of modules for a particular application – Incorrect

Rolesgrant accessto modules, but they arenotthe modules themselves.

ServiceNow Docs: User Roles & Permissions

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Role-Based Access Control

ServiceNow Product Documentation: sys_user_role Table

Why "A. A role is one record in the Role [sys_user_role] table" is the Correct Answer?Explanation of Incorrect Options:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow, anEventis a system-generatednotificationthatindicates an occurrence within the platform. Events are triggered automatically or manually whenspecific conditionsare met and can be used to initiatenotifications, business rules, workflows, or integrations.

Events Indicate That Something Has Happened

Example: When anIncident is assigned, an event like"incident.assigned"can be triggered.

These eventsdo not execute actions themselves, but theynotify other processesto take action.

Events Are Stored in the [sys_event] Table

TheEvent Log(System Policy > Events > Event Log) records all generated events.

Administrators can monitorwhat events were triggered, their sources, and timestamps.

Events Can Be Used for Notifications & Workflows

Example: An event"incident.closed"can be configured to send a"Thank You" emailto the requester.

Example: A custom event"task.overdue"can be used to trigger a workflow escalation.

Eventssignal that something has happened, allowing other processes (like email notifications or workflows) to react.

Theydo not execute actions themselvesbut notifyscripts, business rules, or workflows.

Key Characteristics of Events in ServiceNow:Why is "B. An Event is an indication to the ServiceNow processes that something has occurred" the Correct Answer?

A. "An Event is a trigger that has a direct response in the platform"→Incorrect

Events themselvesdo not trigger direct responses; they onlynotify the systemabout occurrences.

The system must beconfigured to respond to an event(e.g., via aBusiness Rule, Notification, or Script Action).

C. "An Event is an indicator that a Priority 1 (P1) Incident has been logged"→Incorrect

While ServiceNowcan generate an event when a P1 Incident is logged, events arenot limited to incidents.

Events apply toall ServiceNow processes(incidents, changes, tasks, etc.).

D. "An Event is a recognized, scheduled occurrence of a process"→Incorrect

Eventsare not scheduled; they aretriggered by system activities(e.g., record updates, conditions met).

Scheduled Jobs or Scheduled Scripts handletime-based automation, not events.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?

Navigate to:System Policy > Events > Event Log

Review the event records, including event names, sources, and timestamps.

Navigate to:System Policy > Events > Registryto see predefined event names.

UseEvent Registryto create new events that triggernotifications or workflows.

How to View and Use Events in ServiceNow?

ServiceNow Docs: Events in ServiceNowhttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/events/reference/r_Events.html

ServiceNow CSA Official Training Guide (Event Management & Notifications)

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:This confirms that"An Event is an indication to the ServiceNow processes that something has occurred"is the correct answer.

InServiceNow, agroupis acollection of userswho share common responsibilities, such as handling incidents, approvals, or service requests.

Groups are stored in thesys_user_grouptable

Eachgroupis arecord in thesys_user_grouptable, which manages user access and permissions.

Example: The "Service Desk" group (sys_user_grouprecord) may contain multiple IT support users.

Groups are used for role assignments

Instead of assigning roles directly to users,roles are assigned to groupsfor easier access management.

Groups can be used for approvals and task assignments

Groups are often assigned to handleapproval workflows, incident resolution, and change management tasks.

A. A group is one record stored in the Group Type [sys_user_group_type] table(Incorrect)

Thesys_user_group_typetable is used for categorizing groups,not storing actual group records.

C. A group defines a set of users that share the same location(Incorrect)

Incorrect: Groups arenot location-based; they are used fortask assignments, approvals, and permissions.

D. A group defines a set of users that share the same job title(Incorrect)

Incorrect: Users with the same job titlemay belong to different groupsbased on their responsibilities.

Key Details About Groups in ServiceNow:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Groups in ServiceNow

Managing User Groups

User and Group Management

ServiceNow User and Group Administration

References from ServiceNow CSA Documentation:Final Verification:Answer is 100% correct and aligned with official ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) documentation.