What to learn as a rookie developer?

[VisharaJ]

I'm completely new to ServiceNow and I'm trying to learn the fundamentals in order to become a developer.

As seasoned developers can you give me your best advice on what technologies or concepts I should familiarize myself with.

For starters I've taken a few courses on SN University and I'm also on track to write the CSA exam within the next 3 months. Would greatly appreciate any advice, or things to keep in mind when starting off.

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @VisharaJ 

Tips for the CSA Exam (Certified System Administrator)

CSA is the first and foundational exam in your ServiceNow journey. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:

• Study the training material thoroughly – Go through it line by line, word by word, at least 2–3 times.

• Practice the labs multiple times – Do each lab 3–4 times. Don’t just complete them; carefully read and understand the instructions as well.

• Follow the official eBook – Review it thoroughly at least 2–3 times to reinforce your understanding.

• Consider supplementary courses – Some candidates have found Udemy courses helpful for additional practice and clarity. If you're preparing for CSA or CAD, try it:  https://snowprep.net/

• Watch my experience video – I’ve shared my own preparation journey and tips here:
  https://youtu.be/60KXCXXHW7M

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

This is i replied few days back

My Thoughts as a ServiceNow Trainer

Before you start, let me share my thoughts based on my experience as a ServiceNow trainer.

ServiceNow is getting deeper, wider, and more powerful with every release. Because of that, entering the ServiceNow ecosystem requires dedication, determination, and a continuous learning mindset. Many of the students I've trained came from non-technical backgrounds, and I've seen them succeed because they were willing to put in the effort consistently.

Is the Administrator Fundamentals On-Demand course enough to pass the CSA exam?

My answer: Theoretically, yes.

If you complete the Administrator Fundamentals On-Demand course thoroughly, perform all the labs, and follow the course instructions carefully, you can be ready for the exam.

However, from my experience, the practical answer is no. I strongly recommend spending more time after completing the course:

• Go through the training at least one more time.

• Repeat all the labs at least twice.

• Read every topic carefully, word by word.

• Make sure you understand why things work instead of just memorizing them.

Should I repeat the same course multiple times, or is there a better way to prepare?

Yes, repetition helps—but don't try to complete the entire course in one day.

Instead, divide it into smaller sections. Spend one day on each module or chapter. After finishing a topic:

• Read the relevant ServiceNow documentation.

• Explore the ServiceNow Community.

• Practice the same concept in your Personal Developer Instance (PDI).

• Take notes and try different scenarios.

This approach helps you understand the platform much better than simply replaying the videos.

How do you deal with differences between older training materials and the latest PDI release?

From my experience, the CSA exam doesn't change significantly with every release.

You might see around 2–3% of the questions related to newer features, but the core concepts remain the same. By using the latest PDI and referring to the official documentation, you'll naturally become familiar with any changes.

So don't worry too much about version differences. Focus on building strong fundamentals.

What learning strategy helped you the most, especially for someone from a non-technical background?

First of all, don't think of yourself as "non-technical." You're simply starting a new career journey.

The CSA certification doesn't require deep programming knowledge. ServiceNow is increasingly becoming a low-code/no-code platform, making it much easier for newcomers to learn.

Here's the strategy I recommend:

• Build a strong understanding of the platform fundamentals.

• Practice everything you learn in your PDI.

• Revise regularly instead of cramming.

• Take practice questions only after understanding the concepts.

• Focus on learning, not just passing the exam.

You can also follow my Batch 19 playlist, which is designed to build a strong foundation using the Now Learning content.

I'm willing to put in the work—I just want to make sure I'm investing my time in the right way.

That's exactly the right mindset.

Success in ServiceNow is all about consistent effort, patience, and continuous learning. I've seen many people successfully transition into ServiceNow careers, and unfortunately, I've also seen others give up too early.

You're on the right path. Stay consistent, trust the process, and keep practicing.

Once you've completed your CSA and built a solid foundation, you can continue with certifications such as CAD, Data Foundations, and many more depending on the career path you choose.

I wish you all the very best on your ServiceNow journey.

With God's grace, keep learning and keep growing.

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

For developer:

Here are a few tips:

1. Follow this master playlist to strengthen your JavaScript skills specifically for the ServiceNow platform. 

https://youtu.be/62Nabpb94Jw?si=FqBwRN2B8C71aYHr

 Hands on  https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/courses/australia/app_store_learnv2_scripting_austra...

1. Spend at least 1–2 hours daily on the ServiceNow Community. Observe the kinds of technical questions being asked and how experienced members respond. You’ll learn a lot passively this way—and I highly encourage you to start answering questions as well. Explaining concepts to others will improve your technical thinking and deepen your understanding.

1. Explore the free courses available on the ServiceNow Developer Site. These are practical and focused, and will help you apply your knowledge directly on the platform.

2. https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/yokohama/citizen_developer
3. https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/yokohama/servicenow_application_devel...

Basic courses:

https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/australia/new_to_servicenow

https://developer.servicenow.com/dev.do#!/learn/learning-plans/australia/servicenow_administrator

[Tanushree Maiti]

Hi @VisharaJ 

 Welcome to Servicenow Community!

1. First Go through Welcome to ServiceNow course so that you can smoothly navigate within the tool.

2. If you are looking for completing CSA certification:

• Complete  ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals  course from Servicenow University
• Practice again all lab task in The given learning instance.
• Practice in your Personal Developer Instance (PDI)
• Practice mock question with Correct Answer 
• Practice from ServiceNow university provided practice (if you have access) : https://account.measureup.com/servicenow-university
• Check the syllabus from  Certified System Administrator (CSA) Mainline Exam Blueprint
• If anything left or you are struggling with answering practice test, Revisit the course content.
• Once you are confident ,  Schedule the exam and Go for it.

Note: Once registered, you have 90 days to schedule and complete your exam. 

Refer: https://nowlearning.servicenow.com/kb?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0011554