1.1 ServiceNow CSA Exam Facts
Key Takeaways
The ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Mainline exam has approximately 60 questions and a 90-minute time limit.
ServiceNow uses an internal cut score that it does not publish, so there is no fixed public passing percentage to target.
The CSA exam fee is 300 USD for the first attempt, with a reduced 150 USD fee for retakes.
The exam follows the official CSA Mainline blueprint and is aligned to the current supported ServiceNow release family.
The CSA validates that you can configure, administer, and maintain a ServiceNow instance; it is the foundational platform credential, not a developer credential.
About the ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Exam
Quick Answer: The ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (CSA) Mainline exam has about 60 questions delivered in 90 minutes. ServiceNow scores it against an internal cut score it does not publish, so there is no official passing percentage. The first attempt costs 300 USD; retakes cost 150 USD. The exam follows the official CSA Mainline blueprint and is aligned to the current supported ServiceNow release. Passing it certifies that you can configure and maintain a ServiceNow instance.
The ServiceNow CSA is the foundational certification for the ServiceNow platform. It proves you can perform day-to-day administration: managing users and groups, configuring the user interface, building lists and forms, securing data, importing records, and supporting self-service and automation features. It is a vendor certification (a professional credential that authorizes work on the ServiceNow platform), not an academic entrance test.
Exam Format At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Credential | ServiceNow Certified System Administrator (Mainline) |
| Number of Questions | ~60 questions |
| Question Types | Multiple-choice and multiple-select |
| Time Limit | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | Internal cut score (not published by ServiceNow) |
| First-Attempt Fee | 300 USD |
| Retake Fee | 150 USD |
| Blueprint | Official CSA Mainline exam blueprint |
| Release Alignment | Current supported ServiceNow release family |
Why There Is No Public Passing Percentage
Unlike exams that advertise a fixed percentage, ServiceNow uses an internal cut score set by psychometric analysis of the question pool. The exact threshold is not disclosed to candidates. Practically, this means you should aim for confident mastery across every domain rather than trying to clear a known minimum. Treat any "70% to pass" figures circulating online as unofficial estimates, not blueprint facts.
What The Mainline Blueprint Means
The Mainline blueprint is ServiceNow's official, published outline of the domains and weightings the CSA tests. ServiceNow refreshes exam content to track the current supported release family (the platform ships a major release roughly twice per year). Always confirm which release the live exam targets before your test date, because navigation labels and feature behavior can change between releases.
What The Certification Authorizes
Earning the CSA signals to employers and ServiceNow partners that you can independently administer a production-grade instance. It is the prerequisite mindset for most advanced ServiceNow paths, including the Certified Application Developer (CAD) and Certified Implementation Specialist (CIS) tracks. The CSA itself does not certify scripting depth or implementation specialization; it certifies core administration competence.
Recertification With Each Release
ServiceNow certifications are release-linked and not permanent by default. To keep the CSA active, you must satisfy ServiceNow's maintenance requirement, typically a short delta (maintenance) assessment tied to each new release family. Skipping required maintenance can mark the credential inactive. Plan for an ongoing, lightweight maintenance cadence rather than a one-and-done exam.
How many questions and how much time does the ServiceNow CSA Mainline exam have?
~45 questions in 60 minutes
~60 questions in 90 minutes
~75 questions in 105 minutes
~90 questions in 120 minutes
What is true about the ServiceNow CSA passing score?
It is a fixed, publicly published 80% threshold
ServiceNow uses an internal cut score that it does not publish
It is set individually by each test center
There is no scoring; the exam is pass-by-attendance
How is the ServiceNow CSA credential kept active over time?
It never expires once earned
By retaking the full 60-question exam every year
Through ServiceNow's maintenance requirement, typically a delta assessment tied to each new release
By purchasing an annual renewal with no assessment
Which statement best describes what the CSA certification authorizes?
It certifies advanced scripted application development on the platform
It certifies foundational ability to configure, administer, and maintain a ServiceNow instance
It is an academic prerequisite for university admission
It licenses you to resell ServiceNow software
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.