ServiceNow CSA - ServiceNow Certified System Administrator

InServiceNow,UI Policiesallow administrators todynamically control form fieldsbased on conditions without using scripts. With UI Policies, you can change thebehaviorof a field by making it:

Read-only→ The user canviewthe field butcannot edit it.

Mandatory→ The field becomesrequired, and the usermustfill it out before submitting the form.

Hidden→ The field isremoved from visibilityon the form.

Explanation of Each Option:A. Read-only–Correct

A UI Policy can make a fieldread-only, meaning users canseethe field butcannot modifyits value.

Example: A field likeRequest Number (REQ0001)is typicallyread-onlyafter submission.

B. Write-only–Incorrect

ServiceNowdoes nothave a "write-only" field setting in UI Policies.

If a field iseditable, users canboth read and write; if it’s hidden or read-only, writing is not possible.

C. Necessary–Incorrect

There isno "Necessary"field state in ServiceNow UI Policies.

If the intent is to make a field required, the correct term is"Mandatory".

D. Mandatory–Correct

UI Policies can make a fieldmandatory, requiring the user toenter a valuebefore submitting the form.

Example: AnIncident Descriptionfield might be mandatory before an incident is submitted.

E. Empty–Incorrect

UI Policiescannot directly enforce an "empty" state. However, adefault valuecould be cleared using aclient script, but this isnot a UI Policy feature.

F. Hidden–Correct

UI Policies canhide a field, making it invisible on the form.

Example: A"Manager Approval"field may be hiddenuntila certain condition (e.g., request cost > $1000) is met.

Final Answer:Read-only

Mandatory

Hidden

ServiceNow Docs – UI Policies and UI Policy Actionshttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Learning – Form Configuration & UI Policies

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Controlling Form Behavior with UI Policies

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow, access to applications is controlled byroles. Most applications, such asIncident, Change, and Facilities, require specific roles to access them. However, theSelf-Serviceapplication is available to all users, including those with the base"ess" (Employee Self-Service)role, which is assigned to every user by default.

Why "D. Self-Service" is the correct answer?TheSelf-Serviceapplication is designed for general users (end users, employees, customers) who do not have elevated permissions. It provides access to:

TheService Catalog(to request IT services, software, and hardware).

TheKnowledge Base(to search for articles and solutions).

Viewing and tracking submitted requests and incidents.

Submitting new incidents or requests.

Since it is meant forall users, it does not require any additional roles beyond the default ones given to employees or customers.

A. Change– Incorrect. TheChange Managementapplication is typically restricted toITIL users(users with theitilrole) and change managers. End users do not have access to this module.

B. Incident– Incorrect. While end users can create and view their own incidents viaSelf-Service, theIncident Managementmodule itself is restricted to IT support staff (users with theitilrole or higher).

C. Facilities– Incorrect. TheFacilitiesapplication, which includes asset tracking and work orders, is typically restricted to users managing physical assets or facility-related tasks. It is not available to all users by default.

ServiceNow Product Documentation - Self-Service Application Overview

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide - User Roles and Permissions

ServiceNow Docs: Access Control and Application Scope

Explanation of Incorrect Options:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow, aListis a visual representation ofmultiple records from a table. Lists allow users to view, filter, sort, and interact with records in a structured tabular format.

Displays multiple recordsfrom a table.

Columns represent fieldsof the table.

Users can personalize the list(e.g., adjust columns, apply filters, and sort).

Common Actions:

Inline editing

Searching

Exporting data

Grouping and filtering

A. View

AViewdefines how data is displayed, but it is not a list itself.

Example: Differentform viewscan be created for the same table.

B. Dashboard

ADashboardis a visual representation of reports and performance analytics.

It doesnot display raw table recordsdirectly.

C. Panel

No such term as "Panel" exists in ServiceNow for displaying records from a table.

Key Features of Lists:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Lists Overview

ServiceNow Lists Documentation

Personalizing Lists

List Personalization Guide

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

In ServiceNow,rolesdefine the level of access a user has within an instance.Roles are stored in thesys_user_roletable.

Definition of a Role:

Aroleis a collection ofpermissionsthat grant access to different parts of the system.

Example:Theadminrole grants full access, while theitilrole allows incident management access.

sys_user_role Table:

This tablestores role recordsand their associated metadata.

Every role has aunique sys_id, aname, and may be associated withparent roles(role inheritance).

Users are linked to roles through thesys_user_has_roletable.

How Roles Work in ServiceNow:

A user assigned a role gainsall the permissionsassociated with that role.

Roles can behierarchical(one role can inherit permissions from another).

Example:Theitil_adminrole includes all the permissions of theitilrole, plus additional privileges.

Key Details About Roles and sys_user_role Table:Why Option D (sys_user_role) Is Correct?sys_user_role→ The correct table where roles are recorded in ServiceNow.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?A. sys_user→ Incorrect; this table stores user records, not roles.

B. sys_user_profile→ Incorrect; this table does not exist in ServiceNow.

C. sys_user_record→ Incorrect; this is not a valid table in ServiceNow.

ServiceNow Docs – Roles and Role Managementhttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Table Schema – sys_user_role

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Role Hierarchy & Best Practices

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow,metricsare essential tools used to track and measure key performance indicators (KPIs) related to IT Service Management (ITSM) processes. They help organizations assess how effectively they are meeting their objectives by collecting data over time.

Definition of a Metric:

Ametricin ServiceNow refers to a method of measuring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness ofIT service management processesover time.

It allows organizations to track changes in records and measure how long specific conditions exist within a workflow.

Key Characteristics of a Metric:

It is used toassess process performanceandevaluate efficiencywithin IT services.

It providesquantifiable datato analyze trends and improvements in Service Management.

Common use cases include trackingincident resolution times,change request approvals, andSLA compliance.

Understanding ServiceNow Metrics:Why Answer "C" is Correct:✔️"A metric is used to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of IT service management processes."

This definition aligns precisely with how ServiceNow definesmetrics—theytrack, measure, and analyzethe efficiency of various ITSM processes over time.

Metrics help organizations understand service performance trends and make data-driven decisions.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:A. "A metric is a report gauge used on homepages to display real-time data."

Incorrectbecausegaugesare UI elements thatvisualizedata from reports or metrics but are not themselves metrics. Metricscollect and measuredata, whereasgaugesdisplay the information.

B. "A metric is a time measurement used to report the effectiveness of workflows and SLAs."

Incorrectbecause whiletime-based metricsexist (e.g., tracking how long an incident stays in a particular state), metrics in ServiceNow arebroaderand not limited to time measurement alone.

D. "A metric is a comparative measurement used to report the effectiveness of workflows and SLAs."

Incorrectbecause metrics are not necessarilycomparative; they areabsolute measuresof process effectiveness. Metrics provideraw performance data, which can later be compared or analyzed over time.

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Reporting & Performance Analytics

ServiceNow Docs: Metrics Definition & Configuration(ServiceNow Docs - Metrics)

ServiceNow Performance Analytics & Reporting Overview

References from the Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

TheBasic Configuration UI 16 modulein ServiceNow allows administrators to make basic UI customizations without needing to modify code or system properties manually. These settings apply to theoverall look and feelof the instance.

Banner Image (Option A)

Allows admins to change theServiceNow banner logoat the top of the page.

This is useful for branding the instance with a company’s logo.

Browser Tab Title (Option C)

Changes thetitle displayed on the browser tabwhen accessing the ServiceNow instance.

Helps customize the instance’s branding for different user environments (e.g., "IT Service Portal" instead of "ServiceNow").

System Date Format (Option D)

Allows admins toset the date formatdisplayed across the instance.

Helps standardize date display based on organizational or regional preferences (e.g.,MM/DD/YYYY vs. DD/MM/YYYY).

Customizable Elements via Basic Configuration UI 16:

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?B. Record Number Format

Incorrect:The format of record numbers (such asINC0010001 for incidents) is controlled viaSystem Definition → Number MaintenanceandNOTin Basic Configuration UI 16.

E. Form Header Size

Incorrect:The form header size isnot directly customizable through Basic Configuration UI 16.

Form layout and styling changes are managed throughUI Policies, Client Scripts, or custom CSS configurations.

Reference from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:📌ServiceNow Docs – Basic Configuration UI 16

🔗ServiceNow UI Customization Documentation

"Basic Configuration UI 16 provides a simple way to modifybanner images, browser titles, and system-wide date formats."

Conclusion:The correct answers are:

A. Banner Image(Customizes the instance’s logo)

C. Browser Tab Title(Changes the browser tab text)

D. System Date Format(Sets the instance-wide date format)

🔹Understanding Basic Configuration UI 16 is important for ServiceNow administratorsto quickly apply branding and instance-wide display settings without modifying system properties manually.

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

TheConfiguration Management Database (CMDB)in ServiceNow is a centralized repository that stores information aboutConfiguration Items (CIs), their attributes, and relationships. It plays a crucial role in IT Service Management (ITSM), helping organizations track assets, dependencies, and service impacts.

Thefour correct concepts associated with the CMDBare:

The CMDB is structured usingtablesandfieldswithin the ServiceNow database.

Different tables store different types ofConfiguration Items (CIs)such as servers, applications, and network devices.

Example CMDB Tables:

cmdb_ci(Base CMDB Table)

cmdb_ci_server(Stores server-specific CIs)

cmdb_ci_database(Stores database-related CIs)

Each table hasfieldsthat store attributes (e.g.,Serial Number, IP Address, Location).

The CMDB is essentially adatabasethat holds detailed information about IT assets and their relationships.

It enables organizations to maintain an accurate inventory of IT infrastructure.

The database helps withincident management, change management, and asset tracking.

Dependency Viewprovides agraphical representationof how Configuration Items (CIs) are related.

This visualization helps IT teamsunderstand dependencies, impact analysis, and root cause analysis.

Example:

If adatabase servergoes down, theDependency Viewcan show which applications and services will be affected.

The CMDB supports variousIT Service Management (ITSM) processes, such as:

Incident Management(linking incidents to affected CIs)

Change Management(analyzing the impact of changes on CIs)

Problem Management(identifying root causes of recurring issues)

The CMDB ensures that these processes operate with accurate and updated asset data.

1. Tables and Fields (Correct)2. A Database (Correct)3. The Dependency View (Correct)4. Service Processes (Correct)

Why the Incorrect Option is Wrong:B. User Permissions (Incorrect)

Whileuser permissions(such as roles and access controls) exist in ServiceNow, they arenot a fundamental concept of the CMDB itself.

Permissions (likecmdb_readoradmin) controlwho can access and modify the CMDB, but they are notcore CMDB components.

AnIT administratorwants to checkwhich business services depend on a specific database serverbefore performing maintenance.

Using theCMDB Dependency View, they see that the database server is linked to anemail serviceand acustomer portal.

This insight helps them plan achange requestto notify impacted users before the server is taken offline.

Example Use Case:

When creating filters inServiceNow, the elements should be specified in the following order:

Field– The database field (column) that is being filtered.

Operator– The comparison method, such as "is", "contains", "greater than", etc.

Value– The specific data that the filter should match.

Example of a Properly Structured Filter:Imagine filtering a list ofIncidentswhere the priority is high. The filter would be structured as:

Field:Priority

Operator:is

Value:High

is– Matches an exact value

is not– Excludes a specific value

contains– Looks for a partial match

greater than– Finds records with a value greater than the specified one

less than– Finds records with a value less than the specified one

B. Field, Operator, then Condition– Incorrect.

"Condition" is not an individual filter element in ServiceNow; theoperatoralready defines the condition (e.g., "is", "contains").

C. Operator, Condition, then Value– Incorrect.

The field must comefirstto define what data is being filtered. The operator follows next.

D. Value, Operator, then Field– Incorrect.

This is completely reversed; you must specifywhat fieldyou are filtering first before applying conditions.

ServiceNow Product Documentation → Filters and Condition Builder

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide → Data Management and List Filters

ServiceNow List Views → Using Filters and Operators

Common Operators in ServiceNow Filters:Explanation of Incorrect Answers:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In computing and networking, aclientrefers to anapplication or system that accesses a remote service or another computer system (known as a server). The client-server model is a fundamental concept in computing, where:

A client sends requeststo a server.

The server processes the requestand sends back a response.

This architecture is widely used inweb applications, databases, and ServiceNowitself, whereclients interact with the ServiceNow platform (server) via a web browser or API requests.

In ServiceNow, theclienttypically refers toa user’s browser or an external system making requests via API calls.

Theserveris the ServiceNow instance, which processes requests and returns responses.

Client-side scripts(such asClient ScriptsorUI Policies) run on the user's browser, whileserver-side scripts(such as Business Rules and Script Includes) execute on the ServiceNow server.

How This Relates to ServiceNow:

A. Server→ A serverreceives requestsand processes them but is not the requesting entity.

C. Script→ A script is apiece of codethat executes certain actions but does not represent an entire system accessing a service.

D. Policies→ Policies definerules or behaviors(e.g., UI Policies, Data Policies) but do not access a remote service.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

ServiceNow Documentation:Client and Server in ServiceNow

CSA Exam Guide:CoversClient and Server architecturein ServiceNow.

Reference from CSA Documentation: