DA0-002 Visualization and Reporting Practice Question
A data analyst is designing a dashboard and wants to maximize the data-ink ratio. Which action aligns with this principle?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'minimalism' with 'data-ink ratio' — candidates may pick any visually simple option, but the principle specifically targets ink that does not encode data, so removing gridlines is correct while removing data labels would not be.
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
✓
Removing unnecessary gridlines
The data-ink ratio, popularized by Edward Tufte, measures the proportion of ink used to convey actual data versus decorative or redundant elements. Removing unnecessary gridlines increases the ratio because gridlines add visual clutter without conveying data values, letting the data marks dominate the visual field. This is a core principle in dashboard design for clarity and cognitive efficiency.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Removing unnecessary gridlines
Why this is correct
Gridlines add non-data ink that consumes pixels without conveying values, so removing them raises the proportion of ink devoted to actual data. This directly increases the data-ink ratio, satisfying the dashboard design constraint stated in the stem.
- ✗
Using 3D effects for bars
Why it's wrong here
3D effects add depth shading and perspective that consume ink without encoding additional values, reducing the data-ink ratio. They are tempting because they appear to make bars stand out, yet the correct approach strips such decoration; 3D is defensible only where a third genuine dimension must be shown.
- ✗
Adding a background image
Why it's wrong here
A background image contributes decorative ink that carries no data, so it dilutes the data-ink ratio. Backgrounds are tempting because they can establish branding or context, and that is their legitimate purpose; for maximising data-ink, the correct action removes such ornament so the data marks dominate.
- ✗
Using bright colors for all elements
Why it's wrong here
Bright colours on every element add non-data ink, lowering the data-ink ratio rather than raising it. Colour is tempting because it can encode categories or highlight exceptions, and that targeted use is correct; saturation applied indiscriminately competes with the data marks for the viewer's attention.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DA0-002 question from scratch — 1,004 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.