This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of reporting, sla and imports. 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 scheduled report is set to run daily but does not execute. 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.
The schedule is not active.
Why wrong: The stem states it is set to run daily, implying active.
The report is not shared.
Why wrong: Sharing affects visibility, not execution.
The report contains too many rows.
Why wrong: Row count may affect performance but not schedule execution.
The user who created the schedule is inactive.
Inactive users cause scheduled jobs to stop.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The user who created the schedule is inactive.
Option D is correct because ServiceNow schedules are tied to the user who created them. If that user becomes inactive, the system disables the schedule to prevent unauthorized execution. The scheduled report will not run until the user is reactivated or the schedule is reassigned to an active user.
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.
The schedule is not active.
Why it's wrong here
The stem states it is set to run daily, implying active.
The report is not shared.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing affects visibility, not execution.
The report contains too many rows.
Why it's wrong here
Row count may affect performance but not schedule execution.
The user who created the schedule is inactive.
Why this is correct
Inactive users cause scheduled jobs to stop.
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.
Common exam traps
ServiceNow often tests the misconception that schedule inactivity is the primary cause, but the trap here is that a schedule can be active yet fail to execute if its creator is inactive, a subtle distinction that candidates overlook.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, ServiceNow schedules are stored in the sysauto_report table, which has a condition field that checks the user's active status before each run. If the user is inactive, the condition evaluates to false, and the job is skipped without logging an error. This is a security measure to prevent orphaned schedules from running after a user leaves the organization, and it applies to all scheduled jobs, not just reports.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CSA 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Reporting, SLA and Imports — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Reporting, SLA and Imports practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SNOW-CSA questions
510 questions across all exam domains
ServiceNow Certified System Administrator CSA study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SNOW-CSA practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Reporting, SLA and Imports.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Self-Service and Automation.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to UI, Navigation and Forms.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Database Administration and CMDB.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Service Catalog and Workflows.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to Application Rules, ACL and Notifications.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA fundamentals.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA scenario.
Practise SNOW-CSA questions linked to SNOW-CSA troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Reporting, SLA and Imports — This question tests Reporting, SLA and Imports — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The user who created the schedule is inactive. — Option D is correct because ServiceNow schedules are tied to the user who created them. If that user becomes inactive, the system disables the schedule to prevent unauthorized execution. The scheduled report will not run until the user is reactivated or the schedule is reassigned to an active user.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This SNOW-CSA 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-CSA exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.