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ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist – Software Asset Management (CIS-SAM) practice questions

★★★★★ 5.0 122 reviews — aggregated from community votes by visitors who practiced this bank

Questions: 190
Exam length: 90 min
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

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Exam overview CIS-SAM

Built for software asset managers, SAM leads, and IT procurement specialists, the ServiceNow Certified Implementation Specialist – Software Asset Management (CIS-SAM) credential certifies your ability to implement and operate the Software Asset Management Professional application on the Now Platform. Delivered through Kryterion Webassessor (linked via the Now Learning portal), the exam voucher is $450 USD with $150 USD per retake attempt, and no hands-on simulator or laboratory tasks appear during the proctored exam.

Before purchasing the voucher, candidates must hold the Certified Implementation Specialist – Data Foundations (CIS-DF) certification (a mandatory policy: candidates must pass CIS-DF by December 31, 2026 to hold active CIS credentials) and complete the Software Asset Management (SAM) Professional Fundamentals course. ServiceNow also recommends three to six months of active hands-on SAM deployment experience, including participation in at least two ServiceNow deployment projects using the Now Create methodology.

The CIS-SAM blueprint is organized into five weighted domains, with the heaviest emphasis on Practical Management of Software Compliance (30%) and Data Integrity – Attributes and Sources (28%), which together account for 58% of the score. The remaining weight splits across SAM Core Overview (14%), Operational Integration (14%), and Extending SAM (14%) — including SaaS integration profiles for Microsoft 365 and Adobe Cloud. Because the exam uses multiple-select items with no partial credit, scenario questions on Discovery Maps (DMAPs), normalization statuses (Normalized, Partially Normalized, Match Not Found), and License Workbench calculations (Total Spend, True-up Cost, Potential Savings) are heavily tested.

For candidates preparing for the CIS-SAM exam, our practice materials cover all five weighted domains in the same proportions as the real test, with online practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and a downloadable PDF that mirrors the single-select and multiple-select format you will see on exam day.

Official Exam Domains & Weighting

To successfully pass the CIS-SAM exam, candidates must master the following core domains:

Domain 1: Software Asset Core Overview & Fundamentals (14%)

Covers the SAM lifecycle and its objectives of Compliance, Spend Optimization, and Audit Support, key tables and infrastructure architecture, and the roles required for configuration such as sam_admin and sam_developer.

Domain 2: Data Integrity – Attributes and Sources for the Data (28%)

Focuses on data discovery models, Discovery Maps (DMAPs) and software discovery matches, the Normalization engine processes and statuses (Normalized, Partially Normalized, Match Not Found), and entitlement import templates, error handling, validation, and manual entitlement entries.

Domain 3: Practical Management of Software Compliance (30%)

Tests reconciliation processes, the License Workbench, and key calculations including Total Spend, True-up Cost, and Potential Savings, custom license metrics versus out-of-the-box definitions, and remediation options such as reclaiming licenses, purchasing rights, and allocating entitlements.

Domain 4: Operational Integration of Software Processes (14%)

Validates procurement integration, standard request-to-allocation workflows, software deletion and reclamation candidates, user subscription rules, contract management, and integration points with the Service Catalog.

Domain 5: Extending SAM (14%)

Covers Software Asset Workspace configuration and Guided Setup navigation, SaaS and Cloud integration profiles such as Microsoft 365 and Adobe Cloud, and subscription identifier exclusion rules plus integration troubleshooting.

Domain coverage 5 domains

Software Asset Core Overview & Fundamentals (14%)
Data Integrity – Attributes and Sources for the Data (28%)
Practical Management of Software Compliance (30%)
Operational Integration of Software Processes (14%)
Extending SAM (14%)

Sample questions 19 of 190 shown

Q1
Which of the following are true of plugins? (Choose two.)
1. Plugins can be disabled or deactivated when no longer in use.
2. Plugins can be activated by default in the base ServiceNow system.
3. When a plugin is active you cannot hide its functionality.
4. Plugins are stand-alone and do not depend on other plugins being activated.
5. Plugins are software components that provide specific features and functionalities.
The correct answer is BE. these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q2
Which of the following SAM roles has permission to grant a user the script writing capability?
1. discover_admin
2. sam_admin
3. sam_developer
4. asset
The correct answer is C. sam_developer is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q3
By default, which user role must verify the successful activation of plugins by ServiceNow support?
1. sam_user
2. asset_admin
3. sam_admin
4. sys_admin
The correct answer is D. sys_admin is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q4
When populating software usage records automatically via Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), which plugins are required? (Choose two.)
1. Microsoft Publisher Pack plugin
2. Microsoft SCCM Software Usage plugin
3. Microsoft SCCM Integration plugin
4. Performance Analytics Premium for Software Asset Management plugin
5. Orchestration-Client Software Distribution plugin
The correct answer is BC. Microsoft SCCM Software Usage plugin and Microsoft SCCM Integration plugin are correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q5
In the ServiceNow base platform, which roles have the ability to refresh processor definitions?
1. sam_user / sam_admin / sys_admin
2. sam_user / sys_admin
3. sam_admin / sys_admin
4. sys_admin / asset_admin
The correct answer is C. sam_admin / sys_admin is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q6
Within Software Asset Management there are many key terms to understand, what is the best definition for Normalization?
1. One or more use rights assigned to a specific device or user
2. Classification of the acquired software
3. The process of standardizing discovered software installation to defined norms
4. The process of producing a compliance position by comparing the number of software rights acquired against the normalized software inventory
5. Software license details that define use rights
The correct answer is C. The process of standardizing discovered software installation to defined norms is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q7
Client access is the right to use for a specific amount of time.
1. True
2. False
The correct answer is B. False is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q8
Coalesce can only use a single field to uniquely identify a record.
1. True
2. False
The correct answer is B. False is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q9
When receiving an order, which data point is mandatory?
1. Assigned To
2. Cost
3. Asset Tag
4. Serial Number
The correct answer is C. Asset Tag is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q10
How are the Software Asset Management Professional Plugins activated?
1. They are requested from and activated by an admin user
2. They are activated by the sam_developer user
3. They are activated by the sam_admin user
4. They are requested from and activated by ServiceNow support
5. They are activated by default in the base ServiceNow system
The correct answer is D. They are requested from and activated by ServiceNow support is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q11
The Software Asset Management Content Service is automatically enabled and cannot be opted out.
1. True
2. False
The correct answer is B. False is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q12
Within Software Asset Management there are many key terms to understand, what is the best definition for Software Allocation?
1. One or more use rights assigned to a specific device or user.
2. Something acquired with use rights.
3. The process of normalizing a discovered software installation to standardized values.
4. Finding and recognizing software or a software feature on a device.
The correct answer is A. One or more use rights assigned to a specific device or user. is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q13
For software asset management, when software is discovered, the records from the discovered pattern are copied into which table?
1. cmbd_sam_sw_reconcile
2. cmbd_sam_sw_discover
3. cmbd_sam_sw_allocate
4. cmdb_sam_sw_discovery_model
5. cmbd_sam_sw_install
The correct answer is E. cmbd_sam_sw_install is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q14
By default, which persona is responsible for controlling the day-to-day activities of the SAM process and ensuring the overall quality of software asset data?
1. ServiceNow administrator
2. SAM manager
3. SAM user
4. SAM process owner
5. SAM developer
The correct answer is B. SAM manager is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q15
Which of the following is not a core Software Asset Management function?
1. Financial Management
2. Reclamation
3. Rights Allocation
4. Inventory Management
The correct answer is A. Financial Management is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q16
Which stage of the software asset lifecycle includes all of the following steps? Discovering software in the environment Normalizing installed software to standards Reconciling entitlements to discovered software Remediating detected variances
1. Sunset
2. Manage
3. Support
4. Source
5. Plan
The correct answer is B. Manage is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q17

The correct answer is not available in the source material.
Q18
If a user requests three items from the software catalog at the same time, how many individual requests are created?
1. None; task records are created
2. 1
3. 3
4. 1 for each publisher
5. 1 for each product type
The correct answer is B. 1 is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.
Q19
Software Asset Lifecycle has __________ components.
1. 8
2. 6
3. 7
4. 5
The correct answer is A. 8 is correct because these concepts relate to SAM basics, process architecture, and recommended practices.

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Reader reviews 122 ratings

5.0 ★★★★★ Based on 122 ratings

My colleague recommended this for CIS-SAM and I’m glad I listened. Passed on my first go after two weeks of solid study.

★★★★★ Logan T.
Good range of difficulty levels in the CIS-SAM bank. Easy questions build confidence, hard ones prepare you for the real thing.

★★★★★★ Avery K.
The question explanations for CIS-SAM really dig into the AWS (or relevant) concepts. Helped me understand things at a deeper level.

★★★★★★ Hazel C.
Couldn’t have passed the CIS-SAM exam without this. The questions are challenging, the explanations are thorough, and the value is unbeatable.

★★★★★ Hannah L.
Worth every cent for the CIS-SAM certification prep. Detailed answers helped me understand concepts I was shaky on.

★★★★★★ Zachary M.
The CIS-SAM practice test is spot-on. The multi-select questions and explanations are exactly what you need for the real exam.

★★★★★★ Emily R.

Frequently asked questions

What is the retake policy if I do not pass the CIS-SAM exam?

If you do not pass an exam, you can pay a retake fee of $150 USD and sit for the exam again. You can take the exam up to a total of 4 times (the initial attempt plus 3 retakes). If you fail all 4 attempts, you must complete the required training course again to clear the attempt history and reset your voucher eligibility.

How long is the CIS-SAM certification valid, and how do I maintain it?

ServiceNow certifications follow a continuous learning model. You must maintain your credential by completing the mainline delta exams or maintenance paths assigned during major platform releases on Now Learning. Failure to complete these before the deadline will cause your credential to expire.

Are results displayed immediately after completing the exam?

Yes. Upon submitting the exam via Webassessor, a Pass or Fail result is calculated instantly and displayed on-screen. ServiceNow does not provide a numeric score or broken-down domain percentages unless you fail, in which case a performance breakdown by domain is shared to guide your next study attempt.

What is the CIS-Data Foundations deadline policy for CIS-SAM eligibility?

ServiceNow requires candidates to pass the CIS-Data Foundations (CIS-DF) exam by December 31, 2026, to hold active CIS credentials. After that cutoff, holding CIS-DF becomes a hard eligibility gate. If your CIS-DF is not active at exam registration time, you will not be able to purchase the CIS-SAM voucher. Treat CIS-DF as a structural prerequisite, not just a recommended course.

How do the practice normalization scenarios compare to real CIS-SAM reconciliation questions?

The mock exam scenarios target the same normalization mechanics the real exam tests — Discovery Maps (DMAPs) linking discovered software to model records, the three normalization statuses (Normalized, Partially Normalized, Match Not Found), and the reconciliation outcomes the License Workbench produces (Total Spend, True-up Cost, Potential Savings). Each scenario walks through the reconciliation step by step in the answer explanation, with references to the official ServiceNow SAM Pro documentation.

When should I use the PDF download to rehearse SAM entitlement import and validation steps?

The PDF download is most useful when you want to rehearse the entitlement import lifecycle offline — for example, walking through a sequence of entitlement records imported via the SAM template, validated against model records, and then run through reconciliation on a target instance. The mock exam scenarios cover the same entitlement import and validation lifecycle in interactive format for timed practice, while the PDF lets you trace the same steps on paper during commutes or in environments without stable internet.

What prerequisites do I need to meet before registering for the CIS-SAM exam?

You must hold the CIS-Data Foundations (CIS-DF) certification, complete the ServiceNow Administration Fundamentals (SNAF) course (or hold the CSA credential), the ServiceNow Platform Implementation course, and the Software Asset Management (SAM) Professional Fundamentals course on Now Learning before you can purchase the exam voucher. ServiceNow also recommends three to six months of hands-on SAM deployment experience and participation in at least two Now Create deployment projects.