Clarification Request: CAD Exam Section-Level Scoring & Cutoff Criteria (2025 Release)

[RakeshSarmaP]

Hello ServiceNow Community,

I recently appeared for the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer (CAD) exam – 2025 release. I want to clarify some doubts regarding the scoring and passing criteria, as I noticed a discrepancy that affected my result.

Exam Details:

• Exam Release: 2025 Mainline CAD

• Total Questions: 60

• Sections and approximate number of questions:

  • 4 major sections (20% each) → 12 questions per section

  • 2 minor sections (10% each) → 6 questions per section

My Section Scores and Estimated Correct Answers:

• Designing & Creating an Application: 66% → ~8/12 correct

• Application User Interface: 73% → ~9/12 correct

• Security & Restricting Access: 91% → ~11/12 correct

• Application Automation: 72% → ~9/12 correct

• Working with External Data: 100% → 6/6 correct

• Managing Applications: 50% → 3/6 correct

Estimated Total Correct Answers: 8 + 9 + 11 + 9 + 6 + 3 = 46/60 (~76.7%)

Observation / Issue:

• Despite an overall estimated score of ~76%, my exam result is Fail.

This clarity will help not only me but also other candidates preparing for CAD certification, ensuring fair expectations and focused preparation.

Thank you for your guidance and support!

Best regards,
Rakesh Sarma Ponukupati

Hashtags: #CAD #Certification #ExamScoring

[Dr Atul G- LNG]

Hi @RakeshSarmaP 

To be frank, no one really knows exactly how the results are calculated except ServiceNow. It seems there’s an average score needed to pass in all modules. So, I doubt we can provide shortcuts. What I would suggest is to start preparing again thoroughly and go for the exam when ready.

[Nikhil Bajaj9]

Hi @RakeshSarmaP ,

No where it is documented that how they are scoring, Whether all individual section should have 70%+ or overall it should be 70%+. so no one can answer your question. The only thing we can say is prepare well and try again.

Regards,

Nikhil Bajaj