The correct answer is to create a record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership. This is because ServiceNow ACL types are divided into table-level and record-level, and only a record-level ACL can evaluate conditions against a specific record’s data—such as checking whether the current user is a member of the 'ITIL' group—to restrict read access to that single incident. A table-level ACL would apply to all records in the table, not a specific one, making it too broad for this requirement. On the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how record-level ACLs enforce granular security by evaluating conditions like `gs.getUser().isMemberOf('ITIL')` against the user session. A common trap is confusing table-level with record-level ACLs; remember that if the requirement says “specific record,” you must use a record-level ACL. Memory tip: “Record-level for one record, table-level for the whole table.”
SNOW-CAD Core Application Development Practice Question
This SNOW-CAD practice question tests your understanding of core application development. 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.
A developer wants to restrict access to a specific record in the incident table so that only members of the 'ITIL' group can read it. Which type of ACL should be created?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership.
A record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership is the correct approach because it controls read access to the entire record based on the user's group membership. In ServiceNow, record-level ACLs evaluate conditions against the user's session and the record's data, and if the condition (e.g., 'member of ITIL group') is false, the record is hidden from the user entirely. This directly meets the requirement to restrict read access to a specific incident record for only the 'ITIL' group.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create a field-level ACL on the sys_id field.
Why it's wrong here
Field-level ACLs restrict access to specific fields, not the entire record.
✓
Create a record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership.
Why this is correct
Record-level ACLs control read, write, delete on the entire record.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a business rule to delete the record for unauthorized users.
Why it's wrong here
Business rules cannot prevent reading of data.
✗
Create a UI policy to hide the record.
Why it's wrong here
UI policies are client-side and do not enforce server-side security.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse UI policies (client-side) with ACLs (server-side) and think hiding the record in the UI is sufficient, but ServiceNow requires server-side ACLs to truly secure data from all access methods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ServiceNow ACLs are evaluated in a specific order: first the table-level ACL, then the record-level ACL, and finally field-level ACLs. A record-level ACL with a condition like 'gs.getUser().isMemberOf('ITIL')' runs server-side and can leverage the user's session and the record's data (e.g., 'current.assignment_group'). This ensures that even if a user navigates directly to the record's URL or uses a REST API, the ACL will block access if the condition fails, providing robust security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Core Application Development — This question tests Core Application Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership. — A record-level ACL with a condition that checks group membership is the correct approach because it controls read access to the entire record based on the user's group membership. In ServiceNow, record-level ACLs evaluate conditions against the user's session and the record's data, and if the condition (e.g., 'member of ITIL group') is false, the record is hidden from the user entirely. This directly meets the requirement to restrict read access to a specific incident record for only the 'ITIL' group.
What should I do if I get this SNOW-CAD question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Match each ServiceNow access control rule (ACL) type to its function.
medium
Why : ACL types define the operation being restricted.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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