CSA Exam Dumps - ServiceNow Certified System Administrator Questions and Answers

Thesix methods available for user authenticationin ServiceNow are:

Local Database– The user authenticates using a username and password stored in theinstance database.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA)– The user provides their username, password, and apasscode(e.g., from Google Authenticator).

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)– The user authenticates using credentials stored in a corporateLDAP directory.

SAML 2.0 (Security Assertion Markup Language)– The user is authenticated via an externalSAML Identity Provider (IdP).

OAuth 2.0– The user authenticates via anOAuth identity provider(such as Google, Microsoft, or Facebook).

Digest Token Authentication– The user authenticates using anencrypted tokenrather than directly submitting a password.

Thus, the correct answer is:

A, B, C, D, E, F

ServiceNow supports multiple authentication methods to provideflexibility, security, and integration capabilitieswith external identity providers.

Local Database Authentication:

ServiceNow storesusernames and passwordsin the internal database.

Users authenticate directly with the instance.

This method is commonly used when no external authentication provider is configured.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA):

Enhances security by requiringtwo authentication factors:

Username and password(stored in the database).

Passcodefrom a registered device (such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator).

MFA helpsprevent unauthorized accesseven if credentials are compromised.

LDAP Authentication:

Allows users toauthenticate against an external LDAP directory(such as Microsoft Active Directory).

The user must have amatching record in the ServiceNow user table ([sys_user]).

ServiceNowdoes not store passwordswhen using LDAP; it only validates credentials against the directory.

SAML 2.0 Authentication:

Users authenticate via aSAML Identity Provider (IdP)such asOkta, Microsoft Azure AD, or Ping Identity.

ServiceNow acts as aService Provider (SP)and does not store passwords.

ProvidesSingle Sign-On (SSO)capabilities.

OAuth 2.0 Authentication:

Allows authentication viaOAuth providers(Google, Facebook, Microsoft, etc.).

Users do not need to store passwords in ServiceNow; instead, authentication is delegated to theOAuth identity provider.

Digest Token Authentication:

Uses anencrypted token(instead of a plaintext password) to authenticate users.

Often used forAPI-based authenticationor scenarios where passwords should not be transmitted over the network.

Each method aligns with ServiceNow's authentication mechanisms as per official documentation.

ServiceNow supports a hybrid authentication approach, allowing multiple methods to coexist.

ServiceNow Docs – Authentication Methodshttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Security Best Practices – Authentication & Access Controls

ServiceNow Developer Portal – SSO & OAuth Authentication

Why These Are the Correct Methods?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow, every table has a uniqueplatform name(also known as thedatabase nameorsys_id). The table that stores user records in ServiceNow is called"sys_user".

Table Name:sys_user

Purpose:Stores user records, including their roles, group memberships, and personal details.

Location in ServiceNow:You can access this table by navigating to:All → Users and Groups → Users

Key Fields in sys_user Table:

User ID (user_name)– Unique identifier for the user.

Name (name)– Full name of the user.

Email (email)– Email address of the user.

Roles (roles)– Defines user permissions in the system.

Active (active)– Indicates if the user is active in the system.

A. u_users– Incorrect. The prefixu_is typically used forcustom tablescreated by administrators. This is not a default system table.

B. sys_users– Incorrect. The correct name issys_user(singular), notsys_users. ServiceNow follows a singular naming convention for system tables.

C. x_users– Incorrect. The prefixx_is reserved forScoped Applicationscreated within an instance. The User table is a core system table, not a scoped one.

ServiceNow Product Documentation → User Administration → sys_user Table

ServiceNow Tables Reference → sys_user

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide → User and Data Administration

Understanding the sys_user Table:Explanation of Incorrect Answers:References from 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

In ServiceNow, theService Catalogapplication allows administrators to create, configure, and manage catalog items that users can request. To create a new catalog item, administrators must access the correct module within theService Catalogapplication.

Maintain Categories (Option A)

This module is used to create and managecategorieswithin the Service Catalog.

Categories are used to organize catalog items into logical groups but do not allow the creation of actual catalog items.

Maintain Items (Option B)(Correct Answer)

This module is used tocreate, edit, and manage catalog itemsin the Service Catalog.

It provides options to define the item name, description, fields, workflows, and pricing details.

Administrators use this module when they want tobegin creating a new catalog item.

Content Items (Option C)

This module is related toContent Management System (CMS) and Knowledge Basebut is not used for creating standard Service Catalog items.

It allows administrators to create links to external content rather than actual requestable catalog items.

Items (Option D)

TheItemsmodule displays catalog items but does not allow an administrator to create new ones.

It is primarily forviewingitems rather than maintaining them.

Explanation of the Available Options:

The"Maintain Items"module is theonlymodule where administrators can create, edit, and manage catalog items in ServiceNow.

Other options either relate to categories, content management, or viewing existing items, making them incorrect choices.

Why is "B. Maintain Items" the Correct Answer?

ServiceNow Product Documentation - Service Catalog Administration????https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/tokyo-it-service-management/page/product/service-catalog-management/concept/service-catalog-management.html

ServiceNow CSA Exam Guide - Service Catalog & Request Fulfillment

ServiceNow Fundamentals Training - Creating and Managing Catalog Items

References from Official CSA Documentation:

InServiceNow,Create Incident, Password Reset, and Report Outageare examples ofService Catalog itemsthat guide users through submitting requests. These services are commonly implemented usingRecord Producers.

What is a Record Producer?ARecord Produceris a special type ofcatalog itemthat:

Creates recordsin a table (e.g., Incident, Change, or Request).

Provides auser-friendly interfacein the Service Catalog.

Maps user input fields to corresponding fieldsin the target table.

For example:

"Create Incident"uses a Record Producer to create a record in theIncident [incident]table.

"Password Reset"can create a record in acustom password reset tableor trigger a workflow.

"Report Outage"may create a record in theProblem or Incident table.

Why is Option A Correct?"They direct the user to a record producer."

These catalog servicesdo not create Service Requests (REQs) like normal catalog items.

Instead, theyuse Record Producers to generate records directly in specific tables (e.g., Incident, Change, Problem).

This allowscustom form fields, pre-filled values, and direct mappingto the target table.

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?B. "They direct the user to a catalog property."

Incorrect:Catalog properties aresystem settingsthat control Service Catalog behavior, not user-facing forms.

Example:Catalog properties controlcart behavior, request approval rules, etc.

C. "They direct the user to a catalog UI policy."

Incorrect:UI Policies controlfield behavior (e.g., hiding, showing, making fields mandatory) on the formbut do not determine how the request is processed.

D. "They direct the user to a catalog client script."

Incorrect:Catalog Client Scripts controlform logic (such as auto-filling fields) but do not create records directly.

Reference from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:????ServiceNow Docs – Record Producers in the Service Catalog

????ServiceNow Record Producers Documentation

"A Record Producer is acatalog itemthat lets users create records in a table instead of generating a standard request."

Conclusion:The correct answer isA. They direct the user to a record producer.

????Record Producers are widely used in ServiceNow's Service Catalog to simplify and streamline user requests, ensuring data is properly captured and processed.

TheConfiguration Management Database (CMDB)in ServiceNow is a centralized repository that stores information aboutConfiguration Items (CIs), which can includeboth tangible and intangible business assets.

Tangible assets: Physical devices like servers, network components, and workstations.

Intangible assets: Software, applications, cloud services, licenses, and business services.

Relationships and Dependencies: CMDB maintains the relationships between CIs to help with impact analysis, change management, and troubleshooting.

What is Stored in the CMDB?CMDB plays a crucial role inIT Service Management (ITSM), ensuring that organizations haveaccurate and up-to-dateasset data for better decision-making.

(A) The CMDB contains data about tangible and intangible business assets – Correct

TheCMDB tracks and manages both physical (tangible) and virtual (intangible) assets.

Examples oftangible assets: Servers, routers, desktops, mobile devices.

Examples ofintangible assets: Cloud services, software applications, business services.

(B) The CMDB contains the Business Rules that direct the intangible, configurable assets used by a company – Incorrect

Business Rules are not stored in the CMDB.

Business Rules in ServiceNow are part of the platform’s automation framework and control system behavior but donotdefine configuration items.

(C) The CMDB archives all Service Management PaaS equipment metadata and usage statistics – Incorrect

TheCMDB does not function as an archive; it maintains real-time, active data about CIs.

Usage statistics are stored in performance analytics and reporting tools, not in the CMDB.

(D) The CMDB contains ITIL process data pertaining to configuration items – Incorrect

While CMDBsupports ITIL processes, it doesnot store ITIL process datadirectly.

ITIL process data (e.g., incident, problem, change records) is stored inITSM modules, not in the CMDB itself.

CMDBdoes contain CI relationshipsthatsupportITIL processes likeIncident, Problem, and Change Management.

Explanation of Each Option:

CI Classes & Hierarchy: ServiceNow CMDB uses a hierarchical structure with variousCI Classes(e.g.,cmdb_ci,cmdb_ci_server,cmdb_ci_database).

CMDB Health Dashboard: Ensures data accuracy withcompleteness, compliance, and correctnessmetrics.

Relationship Management: CIs in the CMDB are linked to show dependencies, which iscrucial for impact analysisin change and incident management.

Discovery & Service Mapping: ServiceNow’sDiscovery and Service Mappingtools helpautomate CI data collection.

Additional Notes & Best Practices:

ServiceNow Docs: CMDB Overview

https://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Community: Best Practices for CMDB Data Accuracy

https://community.servicenow.com

References from 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.

TheKnowledge Base (KB) Searchfunctionality in ServiceNow is designed to help users find the most relevant articles efficiently. ServiceNow provides various sorting options for search results to ensure that users can access the most useful information.

Sorting Options in Knowledge Base Search:When users search for articles within a Knowledge Base, the results can be sorted using three primary criteria:

Most Recent Update (Option A)

This sorting method ranks articles based on theirlast modified date.

Newer or recently updated articles appear higher in the search results.

This ensures users see the most current information first.

Popularity (Option B)

Popularity is determined byuser interactionssuch as article views, feedback ratings, and usage.

More frequently accessed or positively rated articles are ranked higher.

This helps prioritize articles that have been helpful to other users.

Relevancy (Option C)

The ServiceNow platform uses aninternal search algorithmto determine relevance based on keywords, titles, and content within the article.

More relevant articles appear at the top, ensuring users get the most appropriate answers to their queries.

D. Manager Assignment (Incorrect)

Knowledge articles are not sorted by manager assignment.

Manager assignment applies to workflows and approvals, not to search ranking.

E. Number of Views (Incorrect)

While article popularity is a ranking factor,ServiceNow does not provide a direct "Sort by Number of Views" option.

The "popularity" metric includes views but also considersother engagement factorslike helpfulness ratings.

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?

Reference from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:????ServiceNow Docs – Knowledge Management: Search and Filtering

????ServiceNow Knowledge Management Docs

"Knowledge articles can be sorted byrelevance, popularity, or most recent updateto ensure users find the most useful and up-to-date information."

Conclusion:The correct answers are:

A. Most recent update(Sorts by last modified date)

B. Popularity(Sorts based on article usage and engagement)

C. Relevancy(Sorts based on keyword matching and importance)

????Understanding Knowledge Base search sorting is essential for ServiceNow administratorsto help users find the right information efficiently.

In ServiceNow,tablesare fundamental components of the platform's database structure. A table consists ofrecords (rows)andfields (columns)that store data.

Arecordis an individual entry in a table, similar to a row in a traditional database.

Each record represents a single entity (e.g., an incident, a user, a request).

Records are stored uniquely in the system and are identified by aSys ID(a globally unique identifier).

Afieldis an attribute of a record, like a column in a database.

Each field has a specificdata type(e.g., string, integer, date, reference).

Fields define what type of information can be stored in a record.

1. Records (Rows) – Correct Option2. Fields (Columns) – Correct OptionExample:TheIncident [incident]tableSys ID

Number

Short Description

Caller

State

123abc

INC001

System crash

John D

New

456def

INC002

Network issue

Jane S

Open

Records:INC001, INC002 (each row is a record).

Fields:Number, Short Description, Caller, State (each column is a field).

B. Lists – Incorrect

Listsare aviewof table data but are not a part of the table itself.

A list displays multiple records from a table but does not define the structure of a table.

C. Forms – Incorrect

Formsare user interfaces used to view or edit single records.

A form allows users to interact with the data stored in a table but is not part of the table structure itself.

ServiceNow Docs: Tables and Records

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Understanding Tables, Records, and Fields

ServiceNow Product Documentation: List and Form Views

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

ARecord ProducerinServiceNowis atype of Catalog Itemthat allows users to create records intables(such as Incidents, Change Requests, or HR Cases) from theService Catalog. It provides asimplified and user-friendly interfacefor users to submit structured data without needing direct access to the actual form or database tables.

Key Features of a Record Producer:✔Creates task-based recordsin the appropriate table (e.g.,incident,sc_task,problem).

✔Uses a simplified forminstead of the standard form view of a record.

✔Can trigger workflows and business ruleswhen submitted.

✔Maps user inputs to table fieldsviaVariable Mappings.

An employee wants toreport a broken laptopbut does not need to see the fullIncident form.

The IT team creates aRecord Producernamed "Report an IT Issue" in theService Catalog.

The Record Producercollects user input(e.g., issue description, urgency, contact information).

Upon submission, itcreates an Incident record (incidenttable)in ServiceNow.

Example Use Case:

Why the Correct Answer is D:D. A Record Producer is a type of a Catalog Item that allows users to create task-based records from the Service Catalog(Correct)

This is the most accurate description of aRecord Producer.

It allows users tocreate recordsin a specifiedtask table (Incident, Change, Request, etc.)through theService Catalog.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:A. A Record Producer is a type of Catalog Item that is used for Requests, not Services (Incorrect)

Record Producers are not limited to Requests.

They can create various types of records, including Incidents, Change Requests, and HR Cases.

B. A Record Producer creates user records (Incorrect)

A Record Producerdoes not create user records(users are managed in thesys_usertable).

Instead, itcreates task-based recordsin other tables likeincidentorsc_task.

C. A Record Producer is a type of Catalog Item that provides easy ordering by bundling requests (Incorrect)

Order Guides, not Record Producers, handlebundling multiple Catalog Items into a single request.

ARecord Producer creates a single recordin a defined table.

Comparison: Record Producer vs. Other Catalog ItemsFeature

Record Producer

Standard Catalog Item

Order Guide

Creates a record in a ServiceNow table

Yes

No

No

Used to order physical/digital goods

No

Yes

Yes

Can bundle multiple requests

No

No

Yes

Uses a form-based submission

Yes

Yes

Yes