CSA Exam Dumps - ServiceNow Certified System Administrator

ServiceNow follows a single-instance, single-tenant architecture, not a multiple-tenant architecture. This means:

Single-Instance:

Each ServiceNow instance is a unique, independent environment for a customer.

All customers have their own dedicated instance with their own custom configurations, data, workflows, and applications.

ServiceNow instances are hosted in a multi-instance cloud model rather than a multi-tenant model.

Single-Tenant Model (Multi-Instance Architecture):

Unlike multi-tenant architectures (where multiple customers share the same application and database), ServiceNow provides each customer with a separate, isolated instance.

This ensures data security, performance isolation, and customization flexibility.

Each instance has its own data storage, configuration, and upgrade schedule, reducing risks associated with shared environments.

Why ServiceNow Uses Multi-Instance Instead of Multi-Tenant:

Security & Data Isolation: Since each customer has an independent instance, there is no risk of data leakage between tenants.

Customization & Flexibility: Customers can customize their instance freely without affecting others.

Performance & Scalability: Each instance can be scaled independently, ensuring optimal performance.

ServiceNow does NOT use a multiple-tenant architecture. ❌

ServiceNow follows a single-instance, single-tenant (multi-instance) model. ✅

Each customer has a dedicated instance with isolated resources and configurations. ✅

A multi-tenant architecture means multiple customers share the same application/database with logical separation, which is NOT the case in ServiceNow.

ServiceNow instead provides separate instances for each customer, meaning it is not a true multi-tenant system.

ServiceNow Product Documentation – Multi-Instance Cloud Modelhttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Community – Single-Tenant vs. Multi-Tenant Explained

ServiceNow Best Practices – Security & Instance Architecture

Why Option B (False) Is Correct?Why Option A (True) Is Incorrect?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

ServiceNow provides five primary roles that define access and permissions within the platform. These roles help structure user responsibilities and ensure that users only have access to the necessary functions.

The highest level of access in ServiceNow.

Can manage all platform features, applications, data, and configurations.

Has control over users, security settings, system properties, and scripting capabilities.

Example: A ServiceNow admin configuring new workflows, modifying tables, or setting up instance-wide settings.

Manages specific applications or functionalities within ServiceNow.

Includes roles such as:

knowledge_admin (Manages Knowledge Base)

report_admin (Manages Reports)

catalog_admin (Manages Service Catalog)

Example: A Knowledge Base Administrator controlling access to articles and updating knowledge categories.

Users with the ITIL role who perform IT Service Management (ITSM) tasks.

Can create, update, and resolve records such as incidents, problems, changes, and requests.

Example: A service desk agent handling incidents and requests.

Users with the Approver role can approve or reject requests, such as change requests or access requests.

Can view or modify approval records directed to them but cannot fulfill other ITIL tasks.

Example: A manager approving a new software installation request.

Basic users with no assigned roles.

Can submit requests, view their own tickets, and access public pages (e.g., Knowledge Base, Catalog).

Example: An employee submitting a request for laptop repair via the ServiceNow portal.

1. System Administrator (admin)2. Specialized Administrator3. Fulfiller (ITIL Role)4. Approver5. Requester (Employee Self-Service - ESS)

These roles form the foundation of role-based access control (RBAC) in ServiceNow.

They ensure that users only access the data and functions relevant to their job responsibilities.

Additional roles can be assigned based on business needs, but these five cover the core platform functionalities.

Why These Are the Provided Roles in ServiceNow:

ServiceNow Documentation: User Roles in ServiceNow

CSA Exam Guide: Covers System Administrator, Specialized Administrator, Fulfiller, Approver, and Requester as the standard user roles.

Reference from CSA Documentation:Thus, the correct answer is:✅ A. System Administrator, B. Specialized Administrator, C. Fulfiller, D. Approver, E. Requester

Service Catalog variables in ServiceNow are used to capture user input when they request catalog items, record producers, or order guides. These variables help customize user interactions and drive automation within Service Catalog workflows.

Key Characteristics of Service Catalog Variables:

Global by Default:

When a Service Catalog variable is created, it is global by default, meaning it can be used across multiple catalog items unless scoped to a specific item.

This helps in reusability of variables across different catalog items, reducing redundancy.

However, administrators can disable the "Global" checkbox if they want the variable to be specific to one catalog item.

Types of Service Catalog Variables:

Variables can be single-line text, choice lists, reference fields, checkbox, multi-line text, and more.

They allow administrators to collect structured data from users during item requests.

Reusability Across Catalog Items:

Global variables can be used across multiple catalog items without creating duplicate variables.

This is useful when multiple items require the same type of user input (e.g., location, department).

Visibility and Dependency:

ServiceNow allows UI policies and catalog client scripts to control the behavior of these variables dynamically.

Admins can configure visibility, mandatory status, or dependencies based on user selections.

Explanation of Other Options (Why They Are Incorrect):

Option A (Service Catalog variables can only be used in Record Producers) – Incorrect

While Service Catalog variables can be used in Record Producers, they are not limited to them.

Variables can also be used in Catalog Items, Order Guides, and Requested Items (RITM).

Option B (Service Catalog variables can only be used in Order Guides) – Incorrect

Service Catalog variables can be used in Order Guides, but they are not restricted to them.

Order Guides allow multiple items to be ordered together, but variables can be used independently in Catalog Items and Record Producers as well.

Option C (Service Catalog variables cannot affect the order price) – Incorrect

Service Catalog variables can affect pricing through Variable Price Mapping.

If configured, variables (like dropdowns or checkboxes) can be linked to a price adjustment, impacting the total cost of the request.

For example, selecting "Additional Storage" in a cloud server request could add extra costs dynamically.

Official Reference from ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

ServiceNow Documentation – Service Catalog Variables: ServiceNow Variables Guide

ServiceNow CSA Exam Guide: Covers Service Catalog fundamentals, including variable behavior and reusability.

In ServiceNow, the Number Maintenance application is used to configure 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 define prefixes, number sequences, and suffixes for records in different tables.

Example: INC0001001 for Incidents, REQ0002001 for Requests.

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 like Incidents, Problems, Requests, Change Requests, etc.

Can also be configured for custom tables.

Application Navigation

Path:

Go to All → 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:

In ServiceNow, each Knowledge Base (KB) can have unique configurations, including lifecycle workflows, user criteria, category structures, and management assignments. This flexibility allows organizations to manage knowledge articles according to different business needs, departments, or service functions.

Each knowledge base can have a custom workflow that defines how articles are created, reviewed, published, and retired.

Examples of workflow stages: Draft → Review → Published → Retired.

Workflows ensure proper governance and content accuracy before publishing.

ServiceNow allows administrators to define User Criteria to control who can read, create, or contribute to a knowledge base.

Example:

IT Knowledge Base is only accessible to users with the ITIL role.

HR Knowledge Base is only available to HR employees.

Each knowledge base can have a unique category hierarchy to organize articles efficiently.

Example:

IT KB Categories: Hardware, Software, Network.

HR KB Categories: Benefits, Policies, Payroll.

Different knowledge bases can have different owners or managers.

Example:

IT KB is managed by IT Support Team.

HR KB is managed by HR Admins.

ServiceNow allows multiple knowledge bases with distinct configurations.

Each knowledge base can have its own workflow, user criteria, categories, and managers.

This ensures flexibility and proper governance in knowledge management.

ServiceNow Docs: Knowledge Management Overview

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Knowledge Base Administration

ServiceNow Product Documentation: Configuring Knowledge Bases

Key Aspects of Knowledge Base Customization:1. Unique Lifecycle Workflows2. User Criteria (Access Control)3. Category Structures4. Management AssignmentsWhy "A. True" is the Correct Answer?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow, Create Incident, Password Reset, and Report Outage are examples of Service Catalog items that guide users through submitting requests. These services are commonly implemented using Record Producers.

What is a Record Producer?A Record Producer is a special type of catalog item that:

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

Provides a user-friendly interface in the Service Catalog.

Maps user input fields to corresponding fields in the target table.

For example:

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

"Password Reset" can create a record in a custom password reset table or trigger a workflow.

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

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

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

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

This allows custom form fields, pre-filled values, and direct mapping to the target table.

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

Incorrect: Catalog properties are system settings that control Service Catalog behavior, not user-facing forms.

Example: Catalog properties control cart behavior, request approval rules, etc.

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

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

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

Incorrect: Catalog Client Scripts control form 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 a catalog item that lets users create records in a table instead of generating a standard request."

Conclusion:✅ The correct answer is A. 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.

In ServiceNow, the Service Catalog is a centralized portal where users can request IT services, hardware, software, and other business-related items. Within the Service Catalog, the fundamental components are known as Service Catalog Items.

Definition of Service Catalog Items:

A Service Catalog Item represents a specific service, product, or action that a user can request from the Service Catalog.

It is the core component that defines what users can request.

Examples include:

Requesting a new laptop

Submitting an access request

Ordering a software installation

Why They Are the "Building Blocks" of the Service Catalog:

All Service Catalog requests are based on catalog items—without them, the catalog has no offerings.

Each item has associated workflows, approvals, and fulfillment processes that define how the request is handled.

They form the foundation of the Service Catalog because every service request must be tied to an item.

Understanding Service Catalog Items

Why Answer "B" is Correct:✔️ "They are the building blocks."

Service Catalog Items serve as the fundamental components of the catalog.

They define what services and products are available for request.

Without catalog items, the Service Catalog would not function as intended.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect:❌ A. "They run behind the scenes."

Incorrect because Service Catalog Items are visible to users in the Service Catalog portal.

While workflows and fulfillment processes may operate in the background, the items themselves are not hidden.

❌ C. "They are optional."

Incorrect because Service Catalog Items are mandatory for a functioning Service Catalog.

The catalog is useless without catalog items, making them essential, not optional.

❌ D. "They provide options."

Incorrect because while Service Catalog Items can have variables (such as dropdown selections or checkboxes), their primary role is not just to provide options but to define the services available.

ServiceNow CSA Study Guide – Service Catalog & Request Management

ServiceNow Docs: Service Catalog Overview (ServiceNow Documentation)

ServiceNow Tables & Data Model (sc_catalog, sc_cat_item, sc_request, sc_task)

References from the Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

In ServiceNow, a Dictionary Override allows an administrator to customize the properties of a field in a child table without modifying the field in the parent table.

This is particularly useful in table inheritance scenarios, where a child table inherits fields from a parent table but needs different behavior for certain fields.

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

Preserve inheritance while allowing exceptions for specific child tables.

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

Key Functions of Dictionary Overrides:Example of Dictionary Override in Action:Consider the Task Table (task), which is a parent table for many modules like Incident, Change, and Problem.

The Task Table has a priority field.

If the Incident Table (incident) needs to override the priority field to make it mandatory, an administrator can create a Dictionary Override for the priority field in the incident table.

The priority field in other child tables (e.g., change_request, problem) remains unaffected.

(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 describes Update Set Collisions, not Dictionary Overrides.

Update Set Collisions occur when an 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 describes Change Management in ITSM, which tracks changes to IT services.

Dictionary Overrides specifically modify field properties in extended tables.

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

This describes Approval Actions in Workflows, not Dictionary Overrides.

Workflow approvals pause execution until an action is completed, but Dictionary Overrides do not function this way.

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

This is the correct definition.

Dictionary Overrides allow admins to customize field behavior in child tables while maintaining inheritance from parent tables.

Explanation of Each Option:

Use Dictionary Overrides sparingly to avoid unnecessary complexity.

Always test changes in a sub-production environment before applying them in production.

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

Use the "Dictionary Entry" (sys_dictionary) table to 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: