- A
Adding indexes to frequently queried columns.
Indexes improve query performance by allowing faster data retrieval.
- B
Disabling all CMDB audit history.
Why wrong: Auditing is important for compliance; disabling it poses risks and may not significantly improve performance.
- C
Increasing the database heap size.
Why wrong: Heap size is managed by the database administrator, not a typical CMDB task, and may not impact query performance directly.
- D
Using the CI Cache feature.
Why wrong: ServiceNow does not have a built-in 'CI Cache'; caching is not standard.
- E
Archiving historical data from the CI table.
Archiving reduces the active table size, making queries faster.
Question 344 of 520
Boost CMDB Query Speed with Indexes and Archiving
This SNOW-CSA practice question tests your understanding of database administration and cmdb. 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 company has a large CMDB and wants to improve query performance on CI tables. Which two actions would help achieve this? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Adding indexes to frequently queried columns.
Adding indexes to frequently queried columns (Option A) improves query performance by allowing the database to locate rows more efficiently, reducing full table scans. This is a standard database optimization technique that directly addresses slow CI table queries in ServiceNow.
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.
- ✓
Adding indexes to frequently queried columns.
Why this is correct
Indexes improve query performance by allowing faster data retrieval.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disabling all CMDB audit history.
Why it's wrong here
Auditing is important for compliance; disabling it poses risks and may not significantly improve performance.
- ✗
Increasing the database heap size.
Why it's wrong here
Heap size is managed by the database administrator, not a typical CMDB task, and may not impact query performance directly.
- ✗
Using the CI Cache feature.
Why it's wrong here
ServiceNow does not have a built-in 'CI Cache'; caching is not standard.
- ✓
Archiving historical data from the CI table.
Why this is correct
Archiving reduces the active table size, making queries faster.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse application-layer caching (CI Cache) with database-level query optimization, leading them to select Option D instead of recognizing that indexes and archiving are the correct database-focused actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Indexes in ServiceNow's MariaDB/MySQL database are B-tree structures that speed up SELECT queries by reducing the number of rows scanned. Archiving historical data (Option E) reduces the table size, which directly decreases the time for full table scans and index lookups, especially on large CI tables with millions of records. In practice, combining indexes with archiving is a common strategy for CMDB performance tuning.
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.
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Database Administration and CMDB — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SNOW-CSA question test?
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: Adding indexes to frequently queried columns. — Adding indexes to frequently queried columns (Option A) improves query performance by allowing the database to locate rows more efficiently, reducing full table scans. This is a standard database optimization technique that directly addresses slow CI table queries in ServiceNow.
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.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SNOW-CSA
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. A large enterprise has implemented ServiceNow CMDB with multiple discovery sources including Service Mapping, Cloud Management, and manual imports. Over the past six months, the CMDB has grown to over 2 million CI records, and users are reporting that CMDB queries and reports take a long time to load. The administrator checks the database and finds that the cmdb_ci table has over 1.5 million records, including many retired and historical CIs. The average query time for reports on active hardware CIs is 30 seconds. The instance is hosted on a standard mid-range node. The administrator has verified that no duplicate CIs exist and that all CI classes are properly configured. The instance's performance dashboard shows high database contention. Which action should the administrator take first to improve CMDB performance?
easy- A.Request a ServiceNow upgrade to a higher performance tier.
- B.Create a new database view that combines cmdb_ci with other tables to improve report efficiency.
- C.Disable all discovery sources except Service Mapping to reduce data inflow.
- ✓ D.Run the 'CMDB - Data Archiving' scheduled job to move retired CIs older than 6 months to the archive table.
Why D: Option D is correct because the primary issue is high database contention caused by an excessive number of historical and retired CI records in the active cmdb_ci table. Running the 'CMDB - Data Archiving' scheduled job moves retired CIs older than 6 months to the archive table, reducing the active table size and query load. This directly addresses the root cause without requiring infrastructure changes or disabling critical discovery sources.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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