ServiceNow CSA - ServiceNow Certified System Administrator

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:

TheReport Designerin ServiceNow is used to create, configure, and format reports. It contains multiple sections to control different aspects of the report.

C. Style

TheStylesection is responsible for adjusting thevisual appearanceof the report, including:

Colors

Font styles

Legend layout

Gridlines and chart elements

This section allows users to customize the report to enhance readability and visual impact.

Example Usage:

Changing abar chart’s colorsto align with corporate branding.

Adjusting thelegend placementfor better visualization.

A. Format

"Format" is not a specific section in the Report Designer.

Formatting options are controlled within theStylesection.

B. Layout

TheLayoutsection controlshow the report data is arranged, but not the appearance.

Example: Setting atwo-column layoutfor a report.

D. Configure

TheConfiguresection is used for defining thedata source, conditions, and filters for the report, not its appearance.

In ServiceNow, aTaskis a fundamental record type that represents work that needs to be completed. Tasks can be assigned to users or groups, tracked through various states, and eventually marked asclosedwhen the work is completed.

Event (A)refers to a system-generated log of an occurrence (e.g., an email sent or a user action), but it is not a record that moves through states like a task.

Report (B)is used for analyzing and visualizing data but does not track work progress.

Flow (D)refers toFlow Designer flows, which automate processes but are not individual work items themselves.

Tasks are widely used across ServiceNow applications, such asIncident Management, Change Management, and Service Requests, to track and manage work.

📌Reference:ServiceNow Platform Fundamentals – Task Management Concepts

TheActivity Formatterin ServiceNow is a UI element that trackschanges and updatesmade to a record, including actionsnot saved directly within a field.

Displays atimeline of record updates, including comments, work notes, and field changes.

Capturessystem-generated events(such as status changes).

Allows users to viewhistorical activityon a record.

A. Sidebar– Thesidebarprovidesquick access to navigation menus, butdoes not track unsaved field changes.

B. List Editor– TheList Editorallowsinline editingof records but doesnot track changes separately.

D. Dictionary– TheDictionarydefines fields and tables but doesnot track changes made to records.

ServiceNow Activity Formatter

ServiceNow CSA Training Module:"Working with Activity Streams and Record History"

Key Features of the Activity Formatter:Why Other Answers Are Incorrect:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Official Documentation:

In ServiceNow, aRecord Produceris used to create atask-based record(such as anIncident, Change, or Request) from theService Catalog.

Record Producersprovide acustomized formthat allows users to submit data to create a record in a specific table (e.g., Incident, Change, Request, or a custom table).

They aredifferent from catalog items, which typically create aRequested Item (sc_req_item)instead of directly creating a task record.

They allowsimplified user inputwhileautomating record creationin a structured way.

A user submits aNew Hire Requestvia the Service Catalog.

ARecord Produceris triggered, creating atask-based record(such as a request or a custom HR case).

B. UI Builder– Used for designing UI pages,not for creating task-based records.

C. Assignment Rule– Determineswho a task is assigned to, butdoes not create records.

D. Flow Designer– Automates workflowsafter a record is created, but doesnot create task records from the Service Catalog.

E. UI Actions– Custom buttons and links for UI interaction, butnot used for record creation from the Service Catalog.

ServiceNow Record Producers

ServiceNow CSA Training Module:"Service Catalog and Record Producers"

Why Record Producers Are the Correct Choice?Example Use Case:Why Other Answers Are Incorrect:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Official Documentation:

TheConfiguration Management Database (CMDB)in ServiceNow is a core component of IT Service Management (ITSM), allowing organizations to track Configuration Items (CIs) and their relationships. There are threekey tablesthat form the foundation of the CMDB:

cmdb (Base CMDB Table):

This is the parent table for all Configuration Items (CIs) in the CMDB.

It contains the foundational structure upon which all other CMDB-related tables are built.

It does not store CI records itself but serves as the primary reference table.

cmdb_ci (CI Base Class Table):

This is thebase classfor all Configuration Items (CIs).

All specific CI classes (such as servers, applications, networks) extend from this table.

It holds general CI attributes that are common across all CI types.

cmdb_rel_ci (CMDB Relationship Table):

This table defines relationships between different Configuration Items.

It stores dependencies and associations between CIs, such as a server hosting an application.

Relationships are critical for impact analysis and dependency mapping.

B. sn_cmdb_bak & E. cmdb_bak:

These tables donotexist in the standard CMDB schema. They may be mistaken for potential backup tables, but they are not official CMDB tables.

D. sn_cmdb & G. sn_cmdb_ci:

Prefix"sn_"generally indicatesScoped Application Tablesin ServiceNow.

Standard CMDB tables exist in theglobal scopewithout the "sn_" prefix.

"sn_cmdb" and "sn_cmdb_ci" arenotkey tables in theglobal CMDB architecture.

✔Update Setsare the primary method formoving customizationsfrom one ServiceNow instance to another. An Update Set records changes made to an instance, including modifications to:

Forms, fields, and tables

Business rules, scripts, and workflows

UI policies and ACLs

How Update Sets Work:

When youmodify configurations, the changes arecapturedin an active Update Set.

The Update Set is thenexported from the development instanceandimported into the target instance(e.g.,from Dev to Test to Production).

Once imported, the Update Set iscommitted, applying the changes.

Option A (Table Templates)is incorrect because these definedefault field structuresfor tables but do not move customizations.

Option B (Application Files)is incorrect because individual application files exist within Update Sets but do not serve as a transport mechanism.

Option C (UI Script Includes)is incorrect because script includes are reusable scripts, not a method for transferring configurations.

📌Reference:ServiceNow Administration – Update Sets & Instance Migration

Tochange the default layout of a task listin ServiceNow, you shouldright-click on any column headerand selectConfigure > List Layout.

Navigate to the Task list view(e.g., Incident, Change, or another task-based list).

Right-click on any column header(e.g., "Number" or "Short Description").

SelectConfigure > List Layout.

Add, remove, or reordercolumns as required.

ClickSaveto apply changes.

B. Right-click List Gear icon > Configure > Columns

TheGear icon(âš™) allowspersonalizing columns for an individual user, butdoes not change the default list layout for all users.

C. Click List Context Menu > Personalize List

Personalization only affects the user’s view, not theglobal list layout.

D. Click List Context Menu > Configure Columns

There isno "Configure Columns" optionin the list context menu; the correct path is"Configure > List Layout".

ServiceNow List Layout Configuration

ServiceNow CSA Training Module:"Working with Lists and Configuring Layouts"

Steps to Modify the Task List Layout:Why Other Answers Are Incorrect:References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Official Documentation: