ServiceNow ServiceNow Certified System Administrator CSA Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

InServiceNow,Access Control rules (ACLs)are used torestrict or grant accessto data. Each Access Control rule consists of:

Table-level (Row-Level) ACLs– Control access to the entire record (row).

Field-level ACLs– Control access to specific fields within a record.

Access Control rules are evaluated in a specific orderto determine whether a user has the necessary permissions to perform an action (Read, Write, Create, Delete, etc.).

If both a row-level and a field-level ACL exist for the same table, BOTH must evaluate to "true"before access is granted.

The system checks conditions, scripts, and roles defined in the ACLsto decide whether the user meets the access requirements.

Access Control Rule Evaluation Process:Why is Option C Correct?If both a row-level rule and a field-level rule exist, both must evaluate to "true" for a user to perform an action.

Row-Level ACLscheck if a user can access the record itself.

Field-Level ACLscheck if a user can access specific fields within that record.

If a user failseitherACL check, access is denied.

Why Are the Other Options Incorrect?A. "Rules are evaluated using roles. The role with the most permissions evaluates the rules first."

Access Control rulesare not evaluated based on roles with the most permissions.

Roles are just one factorin ACL evaluation, along with conditions and scripts.

B. "If more than one rule applies to a row, the older rule is evaluated first."

ServiceNow does not prioritize ACL rules based on their creation date.

Instead, ACLs follow a structured evaluation order (general-to-specific).

D. "Rules are evaluated from the general to the specific, so a table rule must be active to continue."

This is partially true but misleading.

ServiceNow evaluates ACLs fromspecific to general(Field → Table).

However,a table-level rule does NOT need to be activefor a field-level ACL to be evaluated.

Reference from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:????ServiceNow Docs – Access Control Rules (ACLs) Evaluation

????ServiceNow ACL Evaluation Documentation

"If a field-level rule and a row-level rule exist,both must evaluate to truefor the operation to be allowed."

Conclusion:The correct answer isC. If a row-level rule and a field-level rule exist, both rules must be true before an operation is allowed.

????Understanding ACL rule evaluation is critical for managing security in ServiceNow, ensuring that users have the appropriate access while maintaining data integrity.

Afilter conditionin ServiceNow consists of three essential components that define how data is filtered in lists, reports, and queries. These components determine which records meet specific criteria.

Column (D)– Represents thefieldin the table that is being filtered (e.g., "Priority" in theincidenttable).

Operator (A)– Defines the comparison method, such asis, contains, starts with, greater than, etc.

Value (C)– Specifies thecriteriaused for filtering (e.g., "High" for Priority).

Components of a Filter Condition:Example of a Filter Condition in an Incident Table:PriorityisHigh

Column:Priority

Operator:is

Value:High

B. Match Criteria→ Not a defined component; filtering is based on column, operator, and value.

E. Field→ While "Field" is a general term,ServiceNow officially uses "Column"in filter conditions.

ABusiness Rulein ServiceNow is aserver-side scriptthat executes when records are inserted, updated, deleted, or queried in a specified table. Business Rules allow automation and customization of workflows by defining logic that runs under specific conditions.

Table (B) –Correct

ABusiness Rulemust be associated with aspecific tablewhere it will execute (e.g., Incident, Change, Task).

This determineswhich recordsthe rule applies to.

Script to Run (E) –Correct

A script must be provided when defining advanced logic in a Business Rule.

Business Rules useserver-side JavaScriptto perform various actions, such as setting field values, enforcing validation, or triggering workflows.

Timing (H) –Correct

The execution timing of a Business Rule determineswhenit runs relative to a database transaction.

Business Rules can run:

Before(before record is saved)

After(after record is saved)

Async(after the transaction completes)

Display(when a form loads)

Condition to Evaluate (I) –Correct

Conditions definewhen the Business Rule should executebased on specific criteria.

Example: A Business Rule might runonly when the priority is set to High.

A. UI Action(Incorrect)

UI Actions (buttons, links, context menus) are separate from Business Rules and are used for UI customization.

C. Fields to update(Incorrect)

While Business Rules can update fields,you do not specify "fields to update" as a required setting. Instead, updates are made via scripts within the rule.

D. Who can run(Incorrect)

Business Rulesalways run on the server-sideand do not require user-specific execution settings.

F. Application Scope(Incorrect)

Although Business Rules belong to an application scope, this isautomatically determinedbased on the current application.

G. Update Set(Incorrect)

Business Rules arecaptured in an Update Set, but this is not a configuration setting while creating the rule.

ServiceNow Business Rules Overview:https://docs.servicenow.com/bundle/utah-application-development/page/script/server-scripting/concept/business-rules.html

Creating Business Rules:https://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-application-development/page/script/server-scripting/task/t_CreateABusinessRule.html

Key Elements to Specify When Creating a Business Rule:Incorrect Options:Official References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow,System Import Setsis the primary application used toimport and transform datafrom external sources into the platform. It provides a structured way toload data into tableswhile allowingdata transformation and mappingbefore final insertion.

Data Loading from External Sources:

Supports imports fromCSV, Excel, XML, JSON, and JDBC databases.

Allows data fromexternal systemsto be brought into ServiceNow.

Staging Area for Data Processing:

Imported data first enters atemporary staging table(Import Set Table).

Data can then betransformedbefore being committed to the target table.

Data Mapping and Transformation:

UsesTransform Mapsto map fields from theImport Set Tableto theTarget Table.

Supportsautomatic field mappingandscripted transformations.

Data Cleansing and Validation:

Duplicate records can bedetected and removed.

Invalid or missing data can becorrected before insertion.

Navigate to System Import Sets(All → System Import Sets → Load Data).

Upload the data file(CSV, XML, JSON, etc.).

Create a Transform Mapto define how data is mapped to the target table.

Run the transformationto move data from the Import Set Table to the final table.

Verify the datain the target table.

A company importsemployee recordsfrom an externalHR system (CSV file).

TheSystem Import Setsmodule loads this data into astaging table.

ATransform Mapmoves the data into theUser [sys_user]table.

Key Features of System Import Sets:Steps to Load Data Using Import Sets:Example Use Case:

Why Option C (System Import Sets) is Correct?System Import Sets is the primary tool for loading data into ServiceNow from external sources.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?A. Service Level Management→ Incorrect

Service Level Management (SLM)is used to trackService Level Agreements (SLAs), not to import data.

B. Configuration→ Incorrect

Configuration Management (CMDB)helps trackconfiguration items (CIs)but does not handle data imports.

D. System Update Sets→ Incorrect

Update Setsare used tomove configurations and customizationsbetween instances,not to import data.

ServiceNow Docs – Importing Data with System Import Setshttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Learning – Data Import & Transformation Best Practices

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Using Import Sets Efficiently

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

Importing data into ServiceNow from a spreadsheet involves a structured process to ensure data integrity and proper mapping. The three main steps in the process are:

The first step in importing data into ServiceNow is to load the spreadsheet into an Import Set table.

This can be done through theSystem Import Sets > Load Datamodule.

The system will create a temporary table (Import Set) where the data will be staged before being transformed into target tables.

ATransform Mapis required to map fields from the Import Set table to the target table in ServiceNow.

Transform Maps define how data from the source (Import Set table) will be transferred and transformed into the destination table (e.g., Incident, User, CMDB, etc.).

The Transform Map allows for additional transformations such ascoalescing records(to avoid duplicates) and scripting for data manipulation.

After configuring the Transform Map, the final step is toRun Transform, which applies the mappings and moves the data from the Import Set table to the target table.

This process ensures that the imported data is correctly integrated into the ServiceNow instance and adheres to the configured rules.

Option A: "Select Data Source, Schedule Transform"– Incorrect because selecting a data source is part of data import, but "scheduling" a transform is not a required step in the standard import process.

Option C: "Define Data Source, Select Transform Map, Run Transform"– Incorrect because "Define Data Source" is more relevant when setting up external data imports. The process must begin with "Load Data" rather than defining the data source.

Option D: "Select Import Set, Select Transform Map, Run Transform"– Incorrect because an Import Set must first be created by loading data before it can be selected.

ServiceNow Docs: Importing Data Overview

ServiceNow Docs: Creating a Transform Map

ServiceNow Docs: Running a Transform Map

Step 1: Load DataStep 2: Create Transform MapStep 3: Run TransformWhy Other Options Are Incorrect?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow,UI Actionsare used to addinteractive elementslikebuttons, links, and context menu itemsto forms and lists. They can triggerscripts, workflows, or other actionswhen clicked.

Form Buttons– Buttons that appear on a form (e.g.,Save, Update, Resolve Incident).

List Buttons– Buttons that appear in a list view and perform actions on multiple records.

Related Links– Links that appear in theRelated Linkssection of a form and provide quick navigation or actions.

Common Types of UI Actions:SinceForm Buttons, List Buttons, and Related Linksare alltypes of UI Actions, they arevalid UI Actions.

Search is a built-in system functionalitythat allows users to find records but doesnot involve UI Actions.

UI Actionsexecute predefined actions, whereasSearch simply retrieves and filters data.

ServiceNow search functions (Global Search, List Search, and Quick Search)arenot part of UI Actions.

B. Form Buttons→Valid UI Action

Appears on forms (e.g.,Submit, Save, Update).

C. List Buttons→Valid UI Action

Used in list views for bulk actions (e.g.,Close All, Approve Selected).

D. Related Links→Valid UI Action

Provides quick links in forms (e.g.,View CI Details, Reopen Ticket).

ServiceNow Docs: UI Actions Overviewhttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-administration/page/administer/form-administration/concept/c_UIActions.html

ServiceNow CSA Official Training Guide (UI Actions & User Interface Customization)

Why "Search" is NOT a UI Action?Why the Other Options Are UI Actions?References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:

InServiceNow, administrators canreuse the same notification contentacross multiple channels (such asemail, SMS, and push notifications) by usingCommon Notification Content.

Consistency Across Channels

Ensures that the same message format is used acrossemail, SMS, and push notifications.

Easier Maintenance

Instead ofcreating separate contentfor each channel, administrators can manage all notification content from one place.

Dynamic Content

Supports variables and dynamic placeholders to customize messages based on recipient data.

A. Configure Default notification content

Incorrect: There is no "default notification content" feature in ServiceNow.

B. Enable Actionable notification content

Incorrect: Actionable notifications allow users totake actions directly from the notification, but they do not manage common content.

D. Set up Related notification content

Incorrect: No such feature as "Related notification content" exists in ServiceNow.

Key Features of Common Notification Content:Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

Common Notification Content Overview

ServiceNow Notification Management

Setting Up Common Notification Content

Creating Reusable Notification Content

References from ServiceNow CSA Documentation:

TheApplication Navigatorin ServiceNow allows users to quickly filter and locateapplications, modules, and menusby typing keywords in thefilter field.

When you type"service"into the filter field,only modules containing the word "service"in theirname or pathwill be displayed.

Analysis of Each Option:Option

Contains "service"?

Appears in Navigator?

A. Configuration > Business Services

"Business Services" contains "service"

Appears

B. Self-Service > Knowledge

"Self-Service" contains "service"

Appears

C. Service Portal > Widgets

"Service Portal" contains "service"

Appears

D. Incident > Assigned to me

Does NOT contain "service"

Does NOT appear

Since"Incident > Assigned to me"doesnotcontain the word"service", itwould NOT appearin theApplication Navigatorwhen filtering by"service".

Configuration > Business Services

The"Business Services"module underConfigurationincludes the word"service".

Self-Service > Knowledge

The"Self-Service"application contains the word"service", so this module appears.

Service Portal > Widgets

The"Service Portal"module contains the word"service", making it visible.

Incident > Assigned to me

Thisdoes NOT contain "service"in its path, so it willnotappear.

Why the Other Options Appear in the Application Navigator?

ServiceNow Docs: Using the Application Navigatorhttps://docs.servicenow.com/en-US/bundle/utah-platform-user-interface/page/administer/navigation/concept/c_NavigatingThePlatform.html

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation:This confirms that"Incident > Assigned to me" would NOT appearin the Application Navigator when filtering by"service".

InServiceNow, theSubmit buttonappears whencreating a new record, but it is not visible when editing an existing record. Instead, when editing an existing record, theUpdate buttonis used.

Creating a New Record:

When a user opens a form to create anew record, theSubmit button appears.

ClickingSubmitsaves the record and closes the form.

Example: When creating anew Incident, Change Request, or User record, the Submit button is visible.

Editing an Existing Record:

When a useropens an existing record, theUpdate button replaces the Submit button.

ClickingUpdatesaves the changes but does not create a new record.

Example: Editing anexisting Incident recorddoes not show a Submit button, only Update.

Changing a Reference Field in an Existing Record:

Updating areference field(like Assigned To or Caller) in an existing record does not trigger aSubmitbutton—onlyUpdateis available.

Saving an Old Record:

TheSavebutton may be available when a user makes changes but does not want to exit the form.

When Does the Submit Button Appear?When Does the Submit Button NOT Appear?Why Option B (When Creating a New Record) is Correct?The Submit button appears only when a new record is being created.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?A. When saving an old record→ Incorrect

TheSave buttonappears when modifying an existing record but does not replaceSubmit.

C. When changing the reference field in an existing record→ Incorrect

Editing a reference field doesnotmake the Submit button appear. OnlyUpdateis available.

D. When updating an existing record→ Incorrect

TheUpdate buttonappears instead ofSubmitwhen modifying an existing record.

ServiceNow Docs – Forms and Form Buttonshttps://docs.servicenow.com

ServiceNow Learning – Creating and Editing Records

ServiceNow Developer Portal – Understanding Form Actions (Submit vs. Update)

References from Certified System Administrator (CSA) Documentation: