Zurich Delta Exams: Why They're Worth Embracing

[Mark Roethof]

Articles, Blogs, Videos, Podcasts, Share projects - Experiences from the field

Hi there,

Another release is out: Zurich. As with every two releases (annually), the Delta exam window opens again to ensure certifications remain current.

Delta exams: a quick refresher

Delta exams were introduced with the London release. Since ServiceNow is a continuously evolving cloud platform, certified individuals are required to stay up to date with new features and functionality. To support this, certain certifications require a short Delta exam.

Delta exams are:

• Lightweight
• Non-proctored
• Focused on release-specific changes

They are designed to confirm that certified professionals remain current - not to re-test full product knowledge.

Any Delta exam marked At Risk must be passed; otherwise, the certification will expire. This has always been the case and remains unchanged.

What changed for Delta exams in 2026

Starting in 2026, several updates apply to how Delta exams are delivered and managed:

• Managed and completed in ServiceNow University
• Exams remain non-proctored
• Consist of 20 questions or fewer
• Time to complete: 90 minutes or less

Zurich Delta exam timeline

• January 16, 2026 - Delta exam window opens
  • Certification holders have 90 days to complete required Delta exams in ServiceNow University
• April 16, 2026 - Delta exam and training window closes
  • Certifications will expire if required Delta exams are not completed

Which certifications are affected

Not all certification types require Delta exams:

• All Mainline certifications
  Delta exams are required to keep these certifications active.
• Micro-ceritifications and Accreditations
  Some - though not all - require a Delta exam.

Always check your certification status in ServiceNow University to confirm whether action is required for the current release.

Embrace the Delta exams

"Embrace the Delta exams?"
Yes - even if the first reaction is frustration.

I'll admit I wasn't enthusiastic either when I passed my CIS-SAM mainline exam and had to complete a Delta exam just 1.5 months later. Still, Delta exams genuinely help you stay current. They encourage you to review release notes, highlight areas where your knowledge may be less certain, and often surface changes you might otherwise miss. They can also be a good trigger to explore the early release on your Personal Developer Instance.

Since I'm a former basketball coach, to use a sports analogy:
An athlete may reach the national team or become league MVP, but staying at that level requires ongoing effort. Skills must be maintained and expanded while everyone else continues to improve. Past achievements alone don't keep you competitive.

Certifications work the same way.

Take the exams yourself

Because Delta exams are non-proctored, shortcuts exist. Exam questions often circulate in chats, forums, and social platforms - especially when people wait until the last days of the 90-day window.

Taking that approach sends a clear signal to employers and customers about how seriously you take maintaining your skills.

So once again: embrace the Delta exams. Review the release notes, explore the (early) release in your Personal Developer Instance, attend webinars such as TechNow, and invest the time to maintain - or even expand - your knowledge. It benefits you, the organization you work for, and the customers you support.

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If any questions or remarks, let me know!

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Kind regards,

Mark Roethof

Independent ServiceNow Consultant
10x ServiceNow MVP

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