SNOW-CAD Platform Features and Integration Practice Question
A ServiceNow instance integrates with an external inventory system via a scheduled REST import job. Recently, the import started failing intermittently with HTTP 429 (Too Many Requests) errors. The external system enforces a rate limit of 100 requests per minute. The existing job pulls 1500 records at a time using a single REST message. Which design change would best resolve this issue while ensuring the import completes successfully?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume increasing batch size or thread count will improve throughput, but in rate-limited scenarios, reducing concurrency and pacing requests is the correct approach to avoid HTTP 429 errors.
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
✓
Reduce the batch size to 50 records and add a 1-second delay between consecutive REST calls
Reducing the batch size to 50 records ensures that each REST call stays within the external system's rate limit of 100 requests per minute. Adding a 1-second delay between consecutive calls further prevents bursts that could trigger HTTP 429 errors, while still allowing the import to complete by making multiple smaller requests over time.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Reduce the batch size to 50 records and add a 1-second delay between consecutive REST calls
Why this is correct
This stays within the 100 requests/min limit (50 requests with 1s delay = 50 requests/min) and ensures all data is imported.
- ✗
Increase the number of threads in the import set table loader to process records faster
Why it's wrong here
More threads would send more concurrent requests, likely increasing 429 errors.
- ✗
Increase the batch size to 5000 records per request to reduce the number of calls
Why it's wrong here
Larger batch size may cause timeout or still exceed the per-min rate if requests are sent quickly.
- ✗
Switch the REST message to use Basic Authentication instead of OAuth to reduce overhead
Why it's wrong here
Authentication method does not affect rate limits.
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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.