Free ServiceNow CIS-SAM practice questions

10 free ServiceNow CIS-SAM practice questions with the correct answer and a full explanation for each, taken from the CertStash pack of 222 questions. Work through them, then open each answer to check your reasoning.

Question 1

Which of the following data elements are key to an effective Software Asset Management practice within ServiceNow? (Choose four.)

  1. Software allocations
  2. Software models
  3. Foundation data
  4. Software contracts
  5. Software entitlements
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A, B, C, E

A. Software allocations B. Software models C. Foundation data E. Software entitlements Effective Software Asset Management requires software allocations (tracking which software is assigned to users/devices), software models (standardized definitions of software products), foundation data (core reference information that underpins the entire system), software contracts (legal agreements that define rights), and software entitlements (the rights granted by those contracts). These four elements create the framework for understanding what software exists, what rights have been purchased, and how that software is being used.

Why the other options are wrong

  • D. Software contracts are foundational to SAM, but are already included in answer set as part of ABCE framework.

Question 2

Within Software Asset Management there are many key terms to understand, what is the best definition for Normalization?

  1. One or more use rights assigned to a specific device or user
  2. Classification of the acquired software
  3. The process of standardizing discovered software installation to defined norms
  4. The process of producing a compliance position by comparing the number of software rights acquired against the normalized software inventory
  5. Software license details that define use rights
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. The process of standardizing discovered software installation to defined norms

installation to defined norms Normalization in Software Asset Management is the process of standardizing discovered software installations to match defined organizational norms and naming conventions. This ensures that different installations of the same software product are recognized and grouped together consistently, enabling accurate license compliance reporting.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This describes software allocations or entitlements, not the normalization process.
  • B. This describes software classification, which is related to but distinct from normalization.
  • D. This describes the compliance position process, which occurs after normalization is complete.
  • E. This describes license terms or entitlements, not the normalization process itself.

Question 3

Which discovery sources are recommended by ServiceNow to populate ServiceNow software installation table? (Choose two.)

  1. ServiceNow Service Mapping
  2. HP UCMDB
  3. Microsoft SCCM
  4. ServiceNow Discovery
  5. ServiceNow Orchestration
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C, D

C. Microsoft SCCM D. ServiceNow Discovery ServiceNow recommends Microsoft SCCM (Systems Center Configuration Manager) and ServiceNow Discovery as the primary discovery sources for populating the software installation table. These tools are designed to comprehensively scan endpoints and report installed software with the necessary detail for SAM.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Service Mapping is used for understanding IT service dependencies and architecture, not software discovery.
  • B. HP UCMDB is a third-party tool that may be used in some environments but is not a recommended ServiceNow source.
  • E. ServiceNow Orchestration is for workflow automation and process execution, not for discovering installed software.

Question 4

Creation of a template can help facilitate future data imports and be reused to import and transform data.

  1. True
  2. False
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. True

Creating templates for data imports in ServiceNow is a best practice that enables consistent transformation and mapping of data across multiple import operations. Templates can be saved and reused, reducing setup time and ensuring consistency when importing similar data sets from the same or different sources.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Templates are a valuable feature that demonstrably save time and improve data quality through reusable configurations.

Question 5

Client access is the right to use for a specific amount of time.

  1. True
  2. False
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. False

Client access licensing is not defined by a specific amount of time. Client access licenses grant the right to use software concurrently or per device, depending on the licensing model. Time-based licensing is typically measured in subscription terms or maintenance periods, but the fundamental definition of client access is about usage rights rather than temporal limitations.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Client access defines usage rights for devices or users, not a time-limited right.

Question 6

Coalesce can only use a single field to uniquely identify a record.

  1. True
  2. False
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. False

Coalesce in ServiceNow data imports can use multiple fields to uniquely identify and match records. This capability allows more sophisticated deduplication and record matching by combining several field values to create a composite unique identifier, rather than relying on a single field.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Coalesce can combine multiple fields in its matching logic, providing greater flexibility than a single field allows.

Question 7

When receiving an order, which data point is mandatory?

  1. Assigned To
  2. Cost
  3. Asset Tag
  4. Serial Number
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Asset Tag

The Asset Tag is the mandatory data point when receiving an order in ServiceNow. This unique identifier is essential for tracking the physical asset throughout its lifecycle and ensuring proper inventory management and audit trails.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Assigned To is typically populated after receipt and initial processing.
  • B. Cost may be tracked elsewhere and is not always mandatory at point of receipt.
  • D. Serial Number is important for high-value items but is not universally mandatory for all asset types.

Question 8

How are the Software Asset Management Professional Plugins activated?

  1. They are requested from and activated by an admin user
  2. They are activated by the sam_developer user
  3. They are activated by the sam_admin user
  4. They are requested from and activated by ServiceNow support
  5. They are activated by default in the base ServiceNow system
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D. They are requested from and activated by ServiceNow support

support The Software Asset Management Professional Plugins are activated by requesting them from and having them activated by ServiceNow support. These are enterprise-level plugins that require explicit authorization and installation by the vendor rather than being self-activated by any user role.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Admin users cannot independently activate professional SAM plugins without vendor involvement.
  • B. The sam_developer user role does not have authority to activate professional plugins.
  • C. The sam_admin user role manages SAM configurations but not plugin activation.
  • E. Professional SAM plugins are not activated by default; they require explicit licensing and installation.

Question 9

Which of the following are true of plugins? (Choose two.)

  1. Plugins can be disabled or deactivated when no longer in use.
  2. Plugins can be activated by default in the base ServiceNow system.
  3. When a plugin is active you cannot hide its functionality.
  4. Plugins are stand-alone and do not depend on other plugins being activated.
  5. Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A, E

A. Plugins can be disabled or deactivated when no longer in use. E. Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities. Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities to extend ServiceNow capabilities, making option E correct. Plugins can be disabled or deactivated when no longer needed, allowing administrators to manage system resources and features without removing them entirely, making option A correct. Option B is incorrect because plugins are not activated by default; they must be explicitly activated. Option C is incorrect because active plugins can have their functionality hidden through configuration and access controls. Option D is incorrect because plugins often have dependencies on other plugins or modules being activated.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. Plugins must be explicitly activated and are not active by default in the base system.
  • C. Active plugin functionality can be hidden through configuration and permission settings.
  • D. Many plugins have dependencies and require other plugins or modules to be activated.

Question 10

When receiving software related to a purchase order in ServiceNow, which data point is mandatory?

  1. Serial Number
  2. Assigned To
  3. Cost
  4. License key
  5. Asset Tag
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: E. Asset Tag

When receiving software related to a purchase order in ServiceNow, the Asset Tag is the mandatory data point that uniquely identifies the software asset in the system. The Asset Tag serves as the primary identifier for tracking and managing software assets throughout their lifecycle. Serial Number, Assigned To, Cost, and License Key may be important additional information but are not mandatory fields when initially receiving software.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Serial Number is useful but not mandatory for software receipt.
  • B. Assigned To is not required at the point of receiving software.
  • C. Cost is not a mandatory field for the receipt process.
  • D. License Key, while important, is not mandatory for initial software receipt.

That was 10 of 222.

The full ServiceNow CIS-SAM pack has all 222 questions, each with the answer, the explanation and why the other options are wrong, plus a questions-only copy for timed runs. US$39, paid once, with free monthly updates and a pass-or-your-money-back guarantee.

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