SNOW-CSA Database Administration and CMDB Practice Question
This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An administrator is investigating a performance issue where a script that queries the task table with a JOIN to the cmdb_ci table is slow. Which two actions can improve query performance? (Select two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add an index on the task table's cmdb_ci field.
Option B is correct because adding an index on the `cmdb_ci` field of the `task` table allows the database to quickly locate matching rows without scanning the entire table, significantly speeding up the JOIN operation. In ServiceNow, indexes are database-level structures that reduce I/O and improve query performance for filtered or joined columns.
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.
✗
Increase the database connection pool size.
Why it's wrong here
Connection pool affects concurrent users, not single query performance.
✓
Add an index on the task table's cmdb_ci field.
Why this is correct
Indexing the join field speeds up the JOIN operation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Replace the JOIN with a glide query using query().
Why it's wrong here
Glide query does not support relational JOINs.
✓
Create a database view that combines the two tables.
Why this is correct
A view pre-joins tables for faster queries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a glide aggregate query to reduce data returned.
Why it's wrong here
Aggregate reduces data volume but does not improve JOIN speed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ServiceNow often tests the misconception that application-layer changes (like using `query()` or aggregate queries) can replace database-level optimizations, but the correct approach is always to address the root cause at the database layer, such as adding proper indexes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, ServiceNow translates GlideRecord queries into SQL statements executed against the underlying MySQL/MariaDB database. Adding an index on the foreign key column (`cmdb_ci`) enables the database optimizer to use an index nested-loop join instead of a full table scan, reducing query execution time from seconds to milliseconds in tables with millions of rows. In real-world scenarios, a missing index on a frequently joined column is one of the most common root causes of slow CMDB-related queries.
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-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
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.
Database Administration and CMDB — This question tests Database Administration and CMDB — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add an index on the task table's cmdb_ci field. — Option B is correct because adding an index on the `cmdb_ci` field of the `task` table allows the database to quickly locate matching rows without scanning the entire table, significantly speeding up the JOIN operation. In ServiceNow, indexes are database-level structures that reduce I/O and improve query performance for filtered or joined columns.
What should I do if I get this SNOW-CSA 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.
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Question Discussion
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