ServiceNow Certified Application Developer Advanced Practice Exam: Hard Questions 2025

You are building a scoped app with a custom table `x_acme_case`. A requirement states: when a user creates a case, the platform should create a related `sc_task` record and then return the new case number to the user with minimal perceived latency. Users are reporting intermittent 5–10 second delays on insert during peak load. Which design best meets the requirement while improving performance and resilience?

A developer creates an extendable Script Include `x_app.Utils` with a method `calculateSLA()`. Another team extends it in `x_app.UtilsV2` and overrides the method. In testing, calling `new x_app.Utils().calculateSLA()` always executes the base implementation, not the override, even though the child Script Include is active. What is the most correct explanation and fix?

A Flow Designer flow is triggered when `x_acme_case.state` changes to "Closed". The flow updates several related records, and sometimes it re-triggers itself, creating duplicate updates and occasional infinite loops. You must keep it as a flow (no conversion to workflow) and prevent re-entry while preserving audit history. What is the best approach?

You are troubleshooting a scoped app where a server-side Business Rule calls `sn_ws.RESTMessageV2` to a third-party API. It works for admins but fails for itil users with "Insufficient privileges" even though the Business Rule is set to run as "System". What is the most likely cause and correct fix?

A Service Portal widget lists records from `x_acme_case` and allows inline updates. Security review finds users can update fields they should not, even though table ACLs are correct. The widget uses a server script that calls `gr.setValue()` and `gr.update()` based on input from `c.data`. What is the best remediation that preserves dynamic behavior while enforcing security?

A custom table uses a Business Rule to compute a derived value and then calls `current.update()` to persist a related field. In production, you observe occasional "Maximum execution depth exceeded" and duplicate audit entries. What is the most appropriate fix that preserves the derived value and avoids recursion?

You need to package an application for deployment. The app includes: a custom table, ACLs, a Script Include used by a Flow Action, and a Service Portal widget that calls the Script Include. After deployment to a higher environment, the flow fails with "Script include not found" while the widget works. What is the most likely root cause and fix?

A flow uses a Script step to query 200,000 records and build a large JSON string in memory, which is then sent to an external system. The flow intermittently fails with memory/time limits. You must still send all records, but you can change the architecture. What is the best solution in-platform?

You are designing a reusable integration utility in a scoped app. Multiple Script Includes and Flow Actions must call the same outbound REST API with OAuth. The solution must support: credential rotation without code changes, least privilege, and safe usage from multiple scopes. Which design is best practice?

Your team is building a complex app with many scripted components (BRs, Script Includes, portal widgets, and flows). Production defects show that a change in one area frequently breaks another. You are asked to propose an approach that improves maintainability and testability within ServiceNow best practices. Which recommendation is most appropriate?