Free ServiceNow CSA Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 8

In ServiceNow,User Criteriadefine conditions that determinewhich userscancreate, read, write, and retireknowledge articles in aKnowledge Base (KB). User Criteria help enforceaccess controland ensure that only authorized users can interact with specific knowledge bases.

Control who canread, contribute, edit, or retireknowledge articles.

Based onroles, groups, departments, locations, or custom conditions.

Applied at theKnowledge Base level, affecting all articles within that KB.

Can be combined using"Must match all"or"Match any"logic.

Example 1: Restricting Read Access

A knowledge base for IT Support should be accessibleonly to IT employees.

User Criteria:Department = IT, OR Role = itil

Only IT employees or ITIL users can read articles in this KB.

Example 2: Controlling Who Can Contribute

OnlyHR staffshould be allowed to create or update HR-related knowledge articles.

User Criteria:Group = HR Team, OR Role = knowledge_manager

Only HR Team members and Knowledge Managers can contribute.

User Criteriais the official term in ServiceNow for defining access control conditions for knowledge articles.

It allows precise control over who canread, create, write, or retirearticles.

It is a feature within theKnowledge Management application.

A. User Conditions – Incorrect

No such concept exists in ServiceNow. User Criteria, not "User Conditions," determine knowledge article access.

B. User Info – Incorrect

"User Info" refers to details stored in thesys_usertable (e.g., name, email) but does not define knowledge permissions.

D. User Permissions – Incorrect

While permissions exist in ServiceNow (via roles and ACLs),User Criteriaspecifically manageKnowledge Baseaccess.

ServiceNow Docs: User Criteria for Knowledge Management

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Knowledge Management Permissions

ServiceNow Product Documentation: Configuring Knowledge Base Access

Key Features of User Criteria:Examples of User Criteria:Why "C. User Criteria" is the Correct Answer?Explanation of Incorrect Options:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow, aRecordrepresents all thedata saved within a particular form. Each record corresponds to a single entry in atableand contains multiplefieldsstoring different pieces of information.

ARecordis asingle instanceof data stored in a ServiceNowtable.

When a user fills out and submits aform, arecord is createdor updated in the respective table.

Each record has a uniqueSys ID(a 32-character identifier).

Example:

AnIncidentrecord contains fields such asNumber,Caller,Short Description, andPriority.

AChange Requestrecord contains fields likeChange Number,Requested By, andAssignment Group.

A. Fields

Fieldsare individualdata pointswithin a record.

Example: TheCallerandPriorityfields in anIncidentrecord.

B. Form

AFormis auser interfaceto enter and display data, but it does not store data itself.

It is just a way tointeract with records.

D. Lists

AListdisplaysmultiple recordsfrom a table, but each row in a list represents asingle record.

Lists are used for filtering, sorting, and searching records but do not represent a single data entry.

Key Concepts:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

ServiceNow Data Model - Records and Tables

Understanding Records and Forms

Forms vs. Records vs. Fields

ServiceNow Forms and Records

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

Themain UI components of the ServiceNow platformare designed to provide a structured and user-friendly experience for interacting with the system. These core UI elements include:

Banner Frame– Displays key information such as the logo, user profile, settings, and global search.

Application Navigator– Provides access to different modules and applications within ServiceNow.

Content Frame– Displays the main content area where users interact with forms, lists, and dashboards.

A. Banner Navigator– Incorrect terminology; the correct term isBanner Frame.

C. Application Frame– No such UI component exists in ServiceNow.

E. Content Menu– This is not a primary UI component; the correct term isContent Frame.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

ServiceNow Documentation:User Interface Overview

CSA Exam Guide:CoversBanner Frame, Application Navigator, and Content Frameas the three primary UI components.

Reference from CSA Documentation:Thus, the correct answer is:

B. Banner Frame, D. Application Navigator, F. Content Frame

InServiceNow Knowledge Management, knowledge articles must be in a specificstatebefore they can be visible to end users. The correct state that allows users to view the article isPublished.

Understanding Knowledge Article StatesKnowledge articles in ServiceNow go through alifecyclethat includes the following states:

Draft– The article is being created or edited and isnot visibleto end users.

Review– The article is under internal review by approvers before publication. It remainshiddenfrom users.

Published– The article isapproved and publicly availableto users who have access to the Knowledge Base.

Retired– The article is no longer relevant or has been replaced. It isnot visibleto end users.

OnlyPublishedarticles appear in the Knowledge Base and can be accessed by users.

Articles inDraft, Review, or Retiredstates arenot visibleto the general audience.

B. Drafted– Articles inDraftare still being written or edited andcannot be accessed by users.

C. Retired– Retired articles are considered obsolete and areno longer displayedin the Knowledge Base.

D. Reviewed– Articles inRevieware under approval butare not yet visibleto users.

ServiceNow Docs: Knowledge Article Stateshttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-servicenow-platform/page/product/knowledge-management/concept/knowledge-article-states.html

ServiceNow CSA Official Training Guide (Knowledge Management Lifecycle & Publishing Workflow)

Why is "Published" the Correct Answer?Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:This confirms that aknowledge article must be in the "Published" stateto be visible to users in the Knowledge Base.

UI Policies and UI Actionsare both part of theServiceNow user interface customizationbut serve different purposes.

Used todynamically change form field behaviorsbased on specific conditions.

Canmake fields read-only, mandatory, or hiddenwithout requiring scripts.

Runson the client-side (browser)to improve performance and responsiveness.

Example:

If theCategoryisHardware, theSerial Numberfield becomesmandatory.

Used tocreate buttons, links, and context menu actions.

Can executescriptsto perform specific actions when clicked.

Runs on theserver-side or client-sidedepending on configuration.

Example:

A"Save" buttonthat becomesvisible only to users with a specific role.

UI Policy(not UI Action) is responsible for making fieldsread-only, mandatory, or hidden.

UI Action(not UI Policy) is responsible for making aSave button visiblefor specific users.

ServiceNow Docs: UI Policy Overviewhttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/form-administration/concept/c_UIPolicies.html

ServiceNow Docs: UI Action Overviewhttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/form-administration/concept/c_UIActions.html

UI Policy:UI Action:Why Option A is Incorrect?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow, aDictionary Overrideallows an administrator tocustomize the properties of a fieldin achild tablewithout modifying the field in the parent table.

This is particularly useful intable inheritance scenarios, where a child tableinherits fields from a parent tablebut needs different behavior for certain fields.

Modify field properties(e.g.,mandatory,read-only,default value) inextended tables.

Preserve inheritancewhile allowing exceptions for specific child tables.

Avoid modifying the original dictionary definitionof a field at the parent table level.

Key Functions of Dictionary Overrides:Example of Dictionary Override in Action:Consider theTask Table (task), which is aparent tablefor many modules likeIncident, Change, and Problem.

TheTask Tablehas apriorityfield.

If theIncident Table (incident)needs to override thepriorityfield tomake it mandatory, an administrator can create aDictionary Overridefor thepriorityfield in theincidenttable.

Thepriorityfield in other child tables (e.g.,change_request,problem) remainsunaffected.

(A) A Dictionary Override is an incoming customer update in an Update Set which applies to the same objects as a newer local customer update – Incorrect

This definition describesUpdate Set Collisions, not Dictionary Overrides.

Update Set Collisions occur whenan update set applies changes to an object that has been modified locally.

(B) A Dictionary Override is the addition, modification, or removal of anything that could have an effect on IT services – Incorrect

This describesChange Management in ITSM, which tracks changes to IT services.

Dictionary Overrides specificallymodify field propertiesin extended tables.

(C) A Dictionary Override is a task within a workflow that requests an action before the workflow can continue – Incorrect

This describesApproval Actions in Workflows, not Dictionary Overrides.

Workflow approvalspauseexecution until an action is completed, but Dictionary Overrides donotfunction this way.

(D) A Dictionary Override sets field properties in extended tables – Correct

This is the correct definition.

Dictionary Overrides allow admins tocustomize field behavior in child tableswhile maintaining inheritance from parent tables.

Explanation of Each Option:

Use Dictionary Overrides sparinglyto avoid unnecessary complexity.

Always test changes in a sub-production environmentbefore applying them in production.

Document overrides properlyto help future administrators understand why an override was applied.

Use the "Dictionary Entry" (sys_dictionary) tableto view and manage dictionary overrides.

Additional Notes & Best Practices:

ServiceNow Docs: Dictionary Overrides Overview

https://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Community: Best Practices for Dictionary Overrides

https://community.servicenow.com

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

Column Context Menusin ServiceNow provide options for interacting with list columns in a table. These menus allow users to customize list views, generate quick reports, export data, and configure list settings.

When users right-click on acolumn headerin a list view, they see a context menu with several actions. The correct answer,Option A, correctly describes these capabilities.

Create Quick Reports

Users can generatebar charts, pie charts, or other visual reportsbased on column data.

Example: Right-clicking on the "State" column in anIncidentslist allows users to create a report showing the count of incidents per state.

Configure the List

Users can modify the list layout, display additional columns, or customize fields.

Options includePersonalize List, Show / Hide Columns, and Sortfeatures.

Export Data

Data can be exported in various formats, such asExcel, CSV, PDF, or XML.

Example: Exporting all incidents assigned to a particular group.

Key Features of Column Context Menus:

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:B. It displays actions related to filtering options, assigning tags, and search (Incorrect)

Filtering options are part of theFilter Navigator and List Context Menu, not theColumn Context Menu.

Assigning tags and performing searches happen within the list view but are not primary functions of theColumn Context Menu.

C. It displays actions related to viewing and filtering the entire list (Incorrect)

While column menus allow sorting and filtering, filtering theentirelist is mainly done via theList Context Menu(right-clicking the entire list or using the filter option at the top).

D. It displays actions such as view form, view related task, and add relationship (Incorrect)

Viewing forms, related tasks, and adding relationships are functions available when interacting withrecord-levelactions (right-clicking a row), not a column.

These actions are available via theList Context MenuorRelated Lists, not theColumn Context Menu.

Navigate toIncident > All.

Right-click on thePrioritycolumn header.

A menu appears with options such as:

Sort (Ascending/Descending)

Group By This Field

Create Report

Export Data

Configure List Layout

Example of Using a Column Context Menu in ServiceNow:

TheUser Menuin ServiceNow is accessible from the top-right corner of the interface by clicking on the user’s avatar or name. This menu provides various options that allow users to manage their sessions, roles, and impersonation settings.

The three correct actions a user can select from the User Menu are:

TheLog Outoption allows users to end their session and securely exit ServiceNow.

It is an essential feature for security and session management.

Location:User Menu > Log Out

Users with appropriate privileges (such as administrators) canelevate their rolesto gain temporary access to higher permissions.

This is primarily used when a user needs elevated access (e.g.,security_admin) to perform specific administrative actions.

Location:User Menu > Elevate Roles

Example:

A system administrator can elevate their role tosecurity_adminto access security-related configurations.

TheImpersonate Userfeature allows an administrator to act as another user without needing their credentials.

This is useful for troubleshooting, testing permissions, and verifying user-specific configurations.

Location:User Menu > Impersonate User

Example:

An admin impersonating a regular user can verify that the correct permissions and UI settings are applied.

1. Log Out ServiceNow (Correct)2. Elevate Roles (Correct, for Admin Users)3. Impersonate Users (Correct, for Admin Users)

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:A. Send Notifications (Incorrect)

The User Menudoes notinclude an option to send notifications.

Notifications (emails, push notifications, SMS) are managed through:

System Notification > Email > Notifications

Outbound SMS or Messaging Settings

E. Order from Service Catalog (Incorrect)

Users can order items from theService Catalog, butthis action is not available from the User Menu.

Instead, users access the Service Catalog through:

Self-Service > Service Catalog

Requests and Catalog Items pages

F. Approve Records (Incorrect)

Users canapprove recordsif they have approval roles (e.g.,approver), but this action is not directly available from theUser Menu.

Approvals are managed through:

My Approvalsin Self-Service

The Approvals module in theServiceNow application navigator

InServiceNow, theNumber Maintenanceapplication is used toconfigure and modify numbering formats for specific tables. This application allows administrators to control how records are numbered across different modules.

Customization of Number Formats

Administrators can defineprefixes, number sequences, and suffixesfor records in different tables.

Example:INC0001001forIncidents,REQ0002001forRequests.

Resetting or Adjusting Number Sequences

You can manually adjust the numbering sequence if needed.

Example: Resetting incident numbering to start from a specific value.

Supports Multiple Tables

Works for standard tables likeIncidents, Problems, Requests, Change Requests, etc.

Can also be configured forcustom tables.

Application Navigation

Path:

Go toAll → System Definition → Number Maintenance

Locate the table and modify its numbering settings.

Key Features of Number Maintenance:Why Option A (Number Maintenance) is Correct?"Number Maintenance" is the official ServiceNow application for managing number formats per table.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?B. System Maintenance– Incorrect; no such module in ServiceNow manages numbering formats.

C. Table Maintenance– Incorrect; this does not exist as an application in ServiceNow.

D. Record Maintenance– Incorrect; not a valid ServiceNow feature for modifying number formats.

ServiceNow Docs – Number Maintenance Configurationhttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Learning – Customizing Numbering Schemes

ServiceNow System Definition – Number Format Best Practices

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

When a new table is created inServiceNowby extending another table, it followstable inheritanceprinciples. This means the newly created table (child table) receives all the fields from its parent table. Additionally, the new table can includecustom fieldsthat are unique to itself.

Here’s how inheritance works in ServiceNow when a table is extended:

Fields Inheritance:

The child table automatically inherits all fields from its parent table.

These inherited fieldscannot be removedfrom the child table but can be modified or overridden.

The child table can also have additionalcustom fieldsthat do not exist in the parent table.

Business Rules, Client Scripts, and UI Policies:

Unlike fields, these components arenot automatically inherited.

However, they can still affect the child tableif they are defined on the parent table using conditions that include the child table.

To apply them specifically to the child table, they need to beexplicitly definedfor the new table.

Access Control Rules (ACLs):

ACLs are not automatically inherited.

Each table in ServiceNow has its own set ofAccess Control Rules, which must be explicitly configured for the child table if different permissions are required.

Database Structure:

The child table creates aone-to-one relationshipwith the parent table, meaningall fields in the parent are available in the child table.

The new table is stored as a separate entity but references the parent table’s structure.

The child tableinherits all fieldsfrom the parent table.

The child table can also have its owncustom fields.

Business Rules, Client Scripts, UI Policies, and ACLs arenot automatically inherited, meaning options B and D are incorrect.

The tabledoes not archivethe parent table (making option A incorrect).

ServiceNow Product Documentation – Table Inheritance:https://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Fundamentals – Table Relationships

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Extending Tables

ServiceNow Best Practices – Access Controls & Security Rules

Why Option C is Correct?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

When a user places an order for an item or service from theService Catalogin ServiceNow, the system generates aRequest (REQ). This is a core component ofRequest Managementwithin the IT Service Management (ITSM) module.

User Places an Order:

The user selects an item from theService Catalog(e.g., a laptop, software, or an access request).

The order may consist of multiple items, depending on the selection.

ServiceNow Generates a Request (REQ):

ThisRequest (REQ#)acts as the umbrella record that tracks the order as a whole.

It is stored in thesc_requesttable.

Creation of Requested Items (RITM#):

Each item within the request generates aRequested Item (RITM#), stored in thesc_req_itemtable.

For example, if the user orders a laptop and a software license, two RITM records are created under the same Request.

Tasks (SCTASK#) Are Created:

Each Requested Item (RITM) may trigger one or moreCatalog Tasks (SCTASK#)in thesc_tasktable.

These tasks define the steps required to fulfill the request (e.g., procurement, approval, and configuration).

A. A Change Request– Incorrect. AChange Request (CHG#)is created only if the requested item involves changes to the infrastructure, such as a server upgrade. Not all catalog items require a change request.

B. An Order Guide– Incorrect. AnOrder Guideis a tool within the Service Catalog that helps users order multiple related items at once. However, it does not get generated when an order is placed.

D. An SLA– Incorrect. AService Level Agreement (SLA)may be associated with the request or tasks, but it is not automatically generated when a request is placed.

ServiceNow Product Documentation → Service Catalog → Request Fulfillment

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide → Service Catalog and Request Management

ServiceNow Tables Reference → sc_request, sc_req_item, sc_task

Understanding the Request Process in ServiceNow:Explanation of Incorrect Answers:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow,UI Actionsare used to add buttons, links, and context menu items to forms and lists, enabling users to perform specific actions easily. UI Actions are essential for customizing the user experience and streamlining workflow interactions.

UI Actions allow administrators to create interactive elements such as:

Buttons(e.g., "Save," "Approve," "Reject")

Form Links(Clickable links that trigger actions on a record)

Context Menu Items(Right-click menu options for records in lists and forms)

They can executeclient-side (via JavaScript)orserver-side (via scripts or GlideRecord API calls).

UI Actions enhance usability by allowing quick execution of tasks without navigating through multiple screens.

Understanding UI Actions in ServiceNow:

Why is Option B (UI Action) Correct?Buttons, form links, and context menu items are all created and managed using UI Actions in ServiceNow.

UI Actions define what happens when a button or menu item is clicked, including executing scripts, navigating to a different page, or performing an operation on a record.

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?A. Business Rule

Business Rules runautomatically on the server-sidewhen records are inserted, updated, deleted, or queried.

They do not createbuttons, links, or context menu itemson the UI.

C. Client Script

Client Scripts execute on theclient-side (browser)and are used forform validation, field changes, and UI behavior modifications.

They do not create UI elements like buttons or menu items.

D. UI Policy

UI Policies dynamically changeform field behavior(e.g., hiding, showing, making fields mandatory, or read-only).

Theydo not add buttons or context menu items.

Reference from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:????ServiceNow Docs – UI Actions Overview

????ServiceNow UI Actions Documentation

"UI Actions add buttons, links, and context menu items on forms and lists to enhance user interaction with the ServiceNow platform."

AService Catalog workflowin ServiceNow is a structured sequence of automated activities designed to manage and fulfill catalog requests. These workflows are essential in handlingapprovals, tasks, notifications, and process automationfor requests submitted through theService Catalog.

Drives Complex Fulfillment Processes:

When a user submits a catalog request, the workflow determines how it should be processed.

It automates the required steps, such asapprovals, task assignments, and record updates.

Different items in the catalog may require different workflows based on the request type.

Sends Notifications to Defined Users or Groups:

Service Catalog workflows includeemail and in-platform notificationsto keep users informed.

Notifications can be triggered at different stages, such as request submission, approval, fulfillment, and closure.

Example:If an item requires managerial approval, the workflow sends an approval request notification to the designated approver.

Approval and Task Automation:

Workflows can createapproval stepsfor request items before they proceed to fulfillment.

They can also generatetasksfor fulfillment teams based on predefined conditions.

Integration with Flow Designer and Other Automation Tools:

In newer ServiceNow versions,Flow Designeris often used instead of traditional workflows, but the core purpose remains the same.

Workflows can integrate withSLA (Service Level Agreements), script actions, and record updates.

Key Functions of a Service Catalog Workflow:Why Option C is Correct?"Drives complex fulfillment processes"→ Correct, as workflows automate and manage Service Catalog request fulfillment.

"Sends notifications to defined users or groups"→ Correct, since notifications are an integral part of ServiceNow workflows.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?Option A:Incorrect – While workflows include tasks and approvals, they do not "generate item variable types." Variables are defined within catalog items, not workflows.

Option B:Incorrect – Workflowscan send notifications, making this statement false.

Option D:Incorrect – Similar to Option A, workflows do not generate "item variable types." Instead, they focus on fulfillment processes and notifications.

ServiceNow Product Documentation – Service Catalog Workflowshttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Learning – Service Catalog and Workflow Automation

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Flow Designer & Workflow Automation

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow,Table Access Control (ACL) rulesdefine the permissions for accessing records within a table. When a user attempts to access a record, ServiceNow processesACL rules in a specific orderto determine if the user has the necessary permissions.

Specific Table Name ACLs

ServiceNowfirst checks ACL rulesthat are defined for the exact table being accessed.

If there are multiple ACL rules for the same table, ServiceNow evaluates themfrom most specific to least specific(i.e., field-level ACLs before table-level ACLs).

Parent Table Name ACLs(If applicable)

If the table inherits from another table (e.g.,Incident inherits from Task), ServiceNownext checks ACL ruleson theparent table.

This ensures that inherited rules are properly applied.

Wildcard ACLs (*)(Any table)

If no explicit ACL rule is found for the table or its parent, ServiceNow checkswildcard ACL rules (*), which apply toall tables.

Wildcard ACLs act as alast resortwhen no table-specific rules exist.

Order of Processing ACL Rules:

(A) any table name (wildcard), parent table name, table name – Incorrect

Wildcard rules (*) areprocessed last, not first.

(B) table name, parent table name, any table name (wildcard) – Correct

This follows the correctprocessing order:

First:ACLs for the specific table

Second:ACLs for the parent table (if applicable)

Third:Wildcard ACLs (*)

(C) parent table name, table name, any table name (wildcard) – Incorrect

Parent table ACLs arechecked aftertable-specific ACLs, not before.

(D) any table name (wildcard), table name, parent table name – Incorrect

Wildcard ACLs (*) arealways processed last, so this order is incorrect.

Explanation of Each Option:

Field-level ACLs(column-specific) take precedence overtable-level ACLs.

If multiple ACL rules apply,all must evaluate totruefor access to be granted.

Explicit Deny:If an ACL rule explicitlydenies access, the user is denied, even if another ACL grants access.

Always Test ACLs:Use the "Security Debugging" feature (/sys_security_acl_list.do) to verify how ACLs are applied.

Additional Notes & Best Practices:

ServiceNow Docs: How Access Control Rules Work

https://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Community: Understanding ACL Processing Order

https://community.servicenow.com

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow Knowledge Management,flagging an articleis a feature that allows users toreport errors or issueswithin a knowledge article. This helps maintain article accuracy and ensures that outdated or incorrect information is addressed by knowledge managers.

Error Reporting

Users can flag an article if they findincorrect, outdated, or misleading information.

Knowledge managers receive anotificationabout flagged articles and can review them for updates.

Article Quality Control

Helps improve knowledge base content by allowing users topoint out inaccuracies.

Ensures that knowledge articles remainrelevant and useful.

Notifying Knowledge Managers

Flagged articles appear in theKnowledge Base Administration module, allowing managers totrack and resolve flagged issues.

A. To mark an article to read later

Incorrect: There isnobuilt-in "read later" feature in ServiceNow Knowledge Management.

Instead, users canbookmarkan article for quick access.

B. Allow a user to submit feedback about an article

Incorrect:

Feedback is submitted through theFeedback feature, which allows users to rate articles and provide comments.

Flaggingis specifically forerror reporting, not general feedback.

Key Purposes of Flagging an Article:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Flagging Knowledge Articles

Flagging an Article for Review

Managing Flagged Articles

Knowledge Management Administration

References from ServiceNow CSA Documentation: