Quick Answer
The correct answers are standard change and emergency change, as ITIL 4 defines exactly three types of changes: standard, emergency, and normal. Standard changes are pre-authorized, low-risk procedures like password resets that follow a defined workflow without requiring additional approval each time, while emergency changes must be implemented as quickly as possible to resolve critical incidents or security vulnerabilities, using a fast-tracked process with reduced testing. On the ITIL 4 Foundation exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between the three categories, often appearing in multiple-choice questions that ask you to select two correct types from a list—common traps include confusing emergency changes with normal changes or forgetting that standard changes are pre-authorized. To remember them, think of the acronym SEN: Standard, Emergency, and Normal, with the key distinction being that only standard changes skip the full approval process.
This ITIL4F practice question tests your understanding of itil management practices. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are types of changes defined in ITIL 4?
Urgent change
Why wrong: ITIL uses 'emergency change' not 'urgent change'.
Major change
Why wrong: Not a defined change type; normal changes are categorized by risk, not as major/minor.
Emergency change
Changes that must be implemented urgently.
Standard change
Pre-approved, low-risk changes.
Minor change
Why wrong: Not a defined change type in ITIL 4.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Emergency change
ITIL 4 defines three types of changes: standard, emergency, and normal. Emergency changes (Option C) are those that must be implemented as soon as possible to resolve an incident or security vulnerability, following a specific emergency change process with reduced testing and approval. Standard changes (Option D) are pre-authorized, low-risk, and follow a defined procedure, such as password resets or server patching.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Urgent change
Why it's wrong here
ITIL uses 'emergency change' not 'urgent change'.
Major change
Why it's wrong here
Not a defined change type; normal changes are categorized by risk, not as major/minor.
Emergency change
Why this is correct
Changes that must be implemented urgently.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Standard change
Why this is correct
Pre-approved, low-risk changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Minor change
Why it's wrong here
Not a defined change type in ITIL 4.
Common exam traps
PeopleCert often tests the distinction between 'urgent' and 'emergency' changes, where candidates mistakenly select 'urgent' because it sounds similar, but ITIL 4 explicitly uses the term 'emergency change' for changes requiring immediate implementation.
Detailed technical explanation
In ITIL 4, the change authority for an emergency change is typically a designated emergency change advisory board (ECAB) that can convene quickly, often using a conference call or chat, to approve the change with minimal documentation. The process prioritizes speed over thorough testing, but still requires a back-out plan and post-implementation review. Real-world examples include applying a critical security patch to a production server or rolling back a faulty network configuration during a service outage.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
ITIL Management Practices — This question tests ITIL Management Practices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Emergency change — ITIL 4 defines three types of changes: standard, emergency, and normal. Emergency changes (Option C) are those that must be implemented as soon as possible to resolve an incident or security vulnerability, following a specific emergency change process with reduced testing and approval. Standard changes (Option D) are pre-authorized, low-risk, and follow a defined procedure, such as password resets or server patching.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This ITIL4F practice question is part of Courseiva's free PeopleCert certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the ITIL4F exam.
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