How to Study for the CSA Exam When It Falls Between Update Releases

[ratkinson]

Just realized I posted this in the wrong board....my apologies. If someone knows how to move it that would be appreciated. 

I completed all the courseware for the ServiceNow CSA (Certified System Administrator) exam but couldn’t schedule my exam until January 20 due to limited testing center availability. This happens to be about a week after the new exam release tied to the latest platform update.

I’m now in a bit of a dilemma: How do I effectively study the material I’ve already learned while preparing for potential changes in the updated exam?

1. Should I focus on the current courseware and hope it covers most of the new exam content?
2. Are there specific resources or strategies you'd recommend for bridging the gap between old and new platform updates?
3. Is it as simple as studying the Xanadu release notes and adjusting to how those changes are applied in the platform?
4. How do you approach studying in situations like this where the content might shift?

I’d really appreciate any insights or tips you all have. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Uncle Rob · Accepted solution]

The CSA is written such that if you used the feature a question is focused on even once, you'll probably remember it.
The CSA is also not hyper optimized for latest versions.  You needn't spend any energy worrying about that.

Just keep building on the platform.

[Ravi Chandra_K]

Hello @ratkinson 

There wouldn't be an updated exam (wouldn't be changed considerably)a week after platform update. 

Please mark the answer as helpful and correct if helped. 

Kind Regards,

Ravi Chandra  

[ratkinson]

I thought the same but saw the update in the Credentialling Program Guide:

Release	Exam Maintenance Window	Testing Opens On
Quebec	English: March 11 - March 25, 2021 Non-English: March 26 - April 8, 2021	English: March 26 -  September 15, 2021 Non-English: April 9 - September 30, 2021
Rome	English: September 16 - September 30, 2021 Non-English: October 1 - October 14, 2021	English: October 1, 2021 - April 20, 2022 Non-English: October 15, 2021 - April 20, 2022
San Diego	April 21 - May 4, 2022	May 5, 2022
Tokyo	October 19 - November 2, 2022	November 3, 2022
Utah	April 10, 2023 - April 24, 2023	April 25, 2023
Vancouver	November 1, 2023 - November 15, 2023	November 16, 2023
Washington	August 13, 2024 - August 27, 2024	August 28, 2024
Xanadu	January 8, 2025 - January 14, 2025	January 15, 2025

[Uncle Rob]

That's exam maintenance.  That's where CSA holders need to take Delta Exams.  It does not indicate a significant change to the base exam.