SNOW-CAD ACL evaluation order Practice Question
A developer implemented an ACL to restrict read access on the 'incident' table. The condition script checks if the user is a member of the 'incident_manager' group. However, users who are not in the group are still able to see incidents. What is the most likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates may overlook the ACL ordering (i.e., the 'Order' field) and assume that a restrictive ACL placed after a broader one will override it. In ServiceNow, ACLs are evaluated in ascending order of their 'Order' value, and once an ACL grants access, the evaluation stops. Therefore, a lower-order ACL that grants read access to all users will allow access before a higher-order restrictive ACL is even reached.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
There is another ACL with a lower order that grants read access to all users, and the evaluation never reaches the scripted ACL.
ACLs in ServiceNow are evaluated in order of their 'Order' field (lower numbers first). If a lower-order ACL grants read access to all users, the evaluation stops at that ACL and never reaches the scripted ACL that restricts access to the 'incident_manager' group. This is the most common reason for an ACL appearing to not work — a broader, higher-priority ACL is allowing access before the restrictive one is evaluated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
There is another ACL with a lower order that grants read access to all users, and the evaluation never reaches the scripted ACL.
Why this is correct
ACLs are evaluated in ascending order; the first matching ACL is applied. A lower-order granting ACL can override a higher-order restrictive one.
- ✗
The ACL is cached and users need to log out and back in for changes to take effect.
Why it's wrong here
ACL changes take effect immediately; caching is not a typical issue.
- ✗
The condition script returns 'true' for users in the group but does not return 'false' for others, so the ACL defaults to 'no decision' and access is allowed.
Why it's wrong here
ACLs that do not return true default to deny (no match), not allow. This would block access.
- ✗
The ACL is set to 'Inactive' so it does not apply, leaving access open.
Why it's wrong here
If inactive, the ACL is not evaluated; but the question implies the scripted ACL is being considered but not working.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SNOW-CAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow 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 SNOW-CAD exam.