ServiceNow Updated CSA Exam Questions and Answers by marcel

InServiceNow, when working with forms (such as Incident, Change, or Task forms), users can perform different actions tosave records. The two key operations in this context areInsertandUpdate.

Creates a new record in the database.

Saves the record and exits the form(returns to the list view or the previous screen).

The form is cleared after inserting the record.

It doesnotmodify an existing record; instead, it generates anew record with a new unique sys_id.

Example:

A user creates a newIncident, fills in details, and clicksInsert.

The systemsaves the new Incident and exitsto the list view.

Saves changes to an existing record.

Remains on the form after saving.

It doesnot create a new record; itmodifies the existing recordin place.

Example:

A user opens an existing Incident, changes the Priority, and clicksUpdate.

The systemsaves the changes but keeps the user on the form.

1. Insert Operation (Correct Description in Option C)2. Update Operation (Correct Description in Option C)

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:A. Insert creates a new record and Update saves changes, both remain on the form (Incorrect)

Insert does not remain on the form; it exits after creating a new record.

B. Insert creates a new record and Update saves changes, both exit the form (Incorrect)

Update does not exit the form; it remains on the form after saving.

D. Insert saves changes and remains on the form, Update saves changes and exits the form (Incorrect)

Insert exitsafter creating a new record.

Update remains on the form, not exits.

Insert and Stay: This is avariation of Insert, whichcreates a new record but keeps the form openfor additional edits.

Submit vs. Insert:

Submitis typically used when submitting a form for workflow processing (e.g., Service Catalog Requests).

Insertexplicitly saves a record as a new entry.

Additional Notes:

Example Scenario in Incident Management:Action

Result

Click "Insert"

Creates anewIncident andexitsthe form.

Click "Update"

Saves changes to theexistingrecord andstays on the form.

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:

InServiceNow, theService Catalogis a centralized portal where users can request IT services, hardware, software, and other business-related items. Within theService Catalog, the fundamental components are known asService Catalog Items.

Definition of Service Catalog Items:

AService Catalog Itemrepresents a specific service, product, or action that a user can request from theService Catalog.

It is thecore componentthat defines what users can request.

Examples include:

Requesting anew laptop

Submitting anaccess request

Ordering asoftware 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 processesthat define how the request is handled.

They form the foundationof 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 Itemsserve as the fundamental componentsof the catalog.

They define what services and products are available for request.

Withoutcatalog items, the Service Catalog would not function as intended.

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

Incorrectbecause Service Catalog Items arevisible to usersin the Service Catalog portal.

While workflows and fulfillment processes may operate in the background, the items themselves arenot hidden.

C. "They are optional."

Incorrectbecause Service Catalog Items aremandatoryfor a functioning Service Catalog.

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

D. "They provide options."

Incorrectbecause while Service Catalog Items can havevariables(such as dropdown selections or checkboxes), their primary role isnot 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:

InServiceNow,Dot-Walkingis a technique used to retrieve information fromreferenced fields across different tables. It allows users to access data stored inrelated records without writing complex scripts.

When a field references another table,dot notation (.)is used totraversethe relationship and retrieve additional information from the referenced table.

It works informs, lists, reports, workflows, business rules, and scripts.

How Dot-Walking Works:Example 1: Retrieving User Information from an Incident RecordLet's say we have anIncidenttable where thecaller_idfield references theUser (sys_user) table.

If we need to retrieve the caller’semail address, we use:

caller_id.email

Here’s how it works:

caller_id→ References thesys_usertable

email→ Retrieves theemail field from the sys_user record

Example 2: Retrieving Department Name of an Incident CallerTo get thedepartmentof the caller, we use:

caller_id.department.name

caller_id→ References theUser table

department→ References theDepartment table

name→ Retrieves thedepartment name

(A) Table-Walking – Incorrect

There isno such termas "Table-Walking" in ServiceNow.

The correct term for referencing related fields isDot-Walking.

(B) Sys_ID Pulling – Incorrect

Thesys_idis a unique identifier for each record in ServiceNow, butpulling sys_ids alone does not retrieve referenced field data.

Dot-Walking allows access to fields in related tables, not just the sys_id.

(C) Dot-Walking – Correct

Dot-Walking is the correct techniqueused in ServiceNow to access referenced fields across tables.

It is used in scripting, reporting, workflows, Business Rules, and UI Policies.

(D) Record-Hopping – Incorrect

There isno such featureas "Record-Hopping" in ServiceNow.

The correct method for referencing data in related tables isDot-Walking.

Explanation of Each Option:

Dot-Walking reduces the need for complex queriesand makes scripting easier.

Use it in filters, reports, and workflowsto dynamically retrieve related data.

Limit excessive Dot-Walking in large tablesto avoid performance issues.

Alternative for scripts: If Dot-Walking does not work in advanced scripts, use GlideRecord queries to retrieve referenced records manually.

Additional Notes & Best Practices:

ServiceNow Docs: Understanding Dot-Walking

https://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Community: Best Practices for Dot-Walking

https://community.servicenow.com

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation: