The answer is that the scheduled job is set to 'Inactive'. When a scheduled job is inactive, the system still registers it in the job list and may even mark it as "running" in the job history, but the associated script never actually executes—meaning no output from functions like gs.log will appear. This is a common trap on the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD exam, which tests your understanding that "inactive" does not mean "disabled from view"; it means the script execution is stopped while the job record remains active in the system. Many developers clone or create a job and forget to toggle the Active checkbox, leading to the puzzling scenario where a scheduled job appears to run but produces no log output. Remember the memory tip: "Inactive means the job is alive but the script is dead"—if you see a scheduled job inactive script not executing, always check the Active field first.
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 notices that a scheduled job runs but does not execute the script. The job is set to run every hour. The script uses the 'gs.log' function to write messages. The log shows no output. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The job is set to 'Inactive'.
Option C is correct because if a scheduled job is set to 'Inactive', it will still appear in the scheduled jobs list and may be considered 'running' in the sense that the system processes it, but the associated script will not execute. The 'gs.log' function would produce no output because the script never runs. This is a common oversight when a developer creates or clones a job but forgets to activate it.
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.
✗
The job's condition script has a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
A syntax error would cause the job to fail, but it would still attempt to run and log errors.
✗
The 'sys_updated_on' field is not being updated.
Why it's wrong here
The sys_updated_on field is not relevant to job execution.
✓
The job is set to 'Inactive'.
Why this is correct
Inactive jobs do not run at all.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The job condition is set to 'false' so it never triggers.
Why it's wrong here
If the condition is false, the job still runs but the condition script returns false; however, the job itself runs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a scheduled job that 'runs' must be active, but ServiceNow distinguishes between the job being processed by the scheduler and the script actually executing, so an inactive job will show as 'run' in the job history but produce no script output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In ServiceNow, scheduled jobs have an 'Active' checkbox that controls whether the job's script executes when the schedule fires. When inactive, the job is still evaluated by the scheduler but the script is skipped entirely. The 'gs.log' function writes to the system log (syslog table), and if the script never runs, no log entries are created. This is distinct from a condition script returning false, which would still execute the condition script but skip the main script.
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 practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CAD exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: The job is set to 'Inactive'. — Option C is correct because if a scheduled job is set to 'Inactive', it will still appear in the scheduled jobs list and may be considered 'running' in the sense that the system processes it, but the associated script will not execute. The 'gs.log' function would produce no output because the script never runs. This is a common oversight when a developer creates or clones a job but forgets to activate it.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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