The answer is checking data types, computing descriptive statistics, and creating histograms for numerical features. These three actions are valid steps in exploratory data analysis because they directly address the core goal of EDA: understanding a dataset’s structure, distribution, and quality before any modeling begins. Checking data types reveals whether columns are numeric, categorical, or datetime, which informs subsequent cleaning and encoding. Descriptive statistics like mean, median, and standard deviation summarize central tendency and spread, while histograms visualize the shape and skew of numerical features. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish EDA from modeling steps—a common trap is confusing train/test splitting or building a linear model as part of EDA, when those belong to the modeling phase. Remember the memory tip: “Describe, Visualize, Validate”—descriptive stats, histograms, and data type checks are the three pillars of initial data exploration.
MLS-C01 Exploratory Data Analysis Practice Question
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of exploratory data analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which THREE actions are valid steps in exploratory data analysis when working with a new dataset? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the data types of each column.
Options A, C, and E are correct. A: Checking data types is fundamental. C: Descriptive statistics summarize distributions. E: Visualizing with histograms reveals patterns. B: Splitting into train/test is modeling, not EDA. D: Building a linear model is modeling, not EDA.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Check the data types of each column.
Why this is correct
Understanding data types is essential.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Descriptive statistics summarize central tendency and spread.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Fit a linear regression model to identify important features.
Why it's wrong here
Model fitting is beyond EDA.
✗
Split the dataset into training and test sets.
Why it's wrong here
Splitting is part of modeling, not EDA.
✓
Create histograms for numerical features.
Why this is correct
Histograms visualize distributions.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related MLS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Exploratory Data Analysis — This question tests Exploratory Data Analysis — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the data types of each column. — Options A, C, and E are correct. A: Checking data types is fundamental. C: Descriptive statistics summarize distributions. E: Visualizing with histograms reveals patterns. B: Splitting into train/test is modeling, not EDA. D: Building a linear model is modeling, not EDA.
What should I do if I get this MLS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related MLS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.