Quick Answer
The answer is a box plot. When visualizing a categorical feature against a target variable, a box plot is the most appropriate choice because it displays the distribution of the target (typically a continuous numerical value) across each category, allowing you to compare medians, quartiles, and outliers for each of the ten unique groups. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of EDA visualization techniques and their appropriate use cases—a common trap is confusing scatter plots or heatmaps, which are designed for numerical-numerical relationships, with categorical-numerical comparisons. Remember that histograms show the distribution of a single numerical feature, not a relationship, and heatmaps typically visualize correlations among numerical features. A simple memory tip: think of a box plot as “categories on the x-axis, target distribution on the y-axis”—if you have a categorical feature and a numerical target, reach for the box plot first.
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of exploratory data analysis. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A data scientist is working with a dataset that contains both numerical and categorical features. During EDA, they want to understand the relationship between a categorical feature with 10 unique values and the target variable. Which visualization is most appropriate?
Heatmap
Why wrong: Heatmaps typically show correlation between numerical features.
Box plot
Box plot shows target distribution across categories.
Histogram
Why wrong: Histogram shows distribution of a single numerical feature.
Scatter plot
Why wrong: Scatter plots are for two numerical features.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Box plot
A box plot shows the distribution of the target across categories. Option A is wrong because scatter plots are for two numerical features. Option B is wrong because histogram shows distribution of a single numerical feature. Option D is wrong because heatmaps typically show correlation between numerical features.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Heatmap
Why it's wrong here
Heatmaps typically show correlation between numerical features.
Box plot
Why this is correct
Box plot shows target distribution across categories.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Histogram
Why it's wrong here
Histogram shows distribution of a single numerical feature.
Scatter plot
Why it's wrong here
Scatter plots are for two numerical features.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Heatmaps typically show correlation between numerical features.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which MLS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Exploratory Data Analysis — This question tests Exploratory Data Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Box plot — A box plot shows the distribution of the target across categories. Option A is wrong because scatter plots are for two numerical features. Option B is wrong because histogram shows distribution of a single numerical feature. Option D is wrong because heatmaps typically show correlation between numerical features.
Identify which MLS-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This MLS-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the MLS-C01 exam.
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