DA0-002 Data Analysis Practice Question
A data analyst is creating a visualization to show the relationship between two continuous variables: advertising spend and sales revenue. The analyst wants to display the strength and direction of the linear relationship. Which type of chart should the analyst use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse a histogram, which shows one variable's distribution, with a scatter plot, which shows the relationship between two variables.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Scatter plot
A scatter plot is the appropriate visualization for examining the relationship between two continuous variables. It plots each observation as a point, allowing the analyst to see if there is a positive, negative, or no correlation, and to spot outliers. Bar charts, pie charts, and histograms are designed for categorical or univariate data and cannot effectively display bivariate relationships.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Pie chart
Why it's wrong here
A pie chart shows proportions of a whole for categorical data. It is ineffective for continuous variables and cannot display relationships between two variables. Using a pie chart here would not provide any insight into how advertising spend relates to sales revenue, making it an inappropriate choice.
- ✗
Bar chart
Why it's wrong here
A bar chart is used to compare categorical data or show frequencies. It is not suitable for displaying the relationship between two continuous variables because it would require binning one variable, losing granularity. While a bar chart could show average sales per advertising spend category, it would not reveal the overall linear relationship.
- ✓
Scatter plot
Why this is correct
A scatter plot displays individual data points on a two-dimensional plane, with one variable on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. It allows the analyst to visually assess the strength, direction, and form of the relationship between two continuous variables. It is the standard tool for examining correlation and identifying patterns or outliers.
- ✗
Histogram
Why it's wrong here
A histogram displays the distribution of a single continuous variable by binning values. It cannot show the relationship between two variables. While it could show the distribution of advertising spend or sales revenue separately, it does not reveal correlation or direction, so it does not meet the analyst's goal.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This DA0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 DA0-002 exam.