Quick Answer
The correct conclusion is to reject the null hypothesis. This is because the p-value interpretation in hypothesis testing hinges on a simple comparison: if the p-value is less than the chosen significance level (alpha), the result is statistically significant. Here, the p-value of 0.03 is smaller than the alpha of 0.05, meaning the observed data is unlikely to have occurred under the null hypothesis, providing sufficient evidence to support the alternative hypothesis. On the CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 exam, this exact scenario tests your ability to apply the decision rule rather than just define a p-value. A common trap is confusing a p-value with the probability that the null hypothesis is true—it is not. Instead, remember the golden rule: "Low p-value, null must leave." For a quick memory tip, think of the p-value as a "pest" you want to be small—if it’s smaller than your alpha, you kick the null hypothesis out.
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of analyzing and modeling data. 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.
A data analyst is performing a hypothesis test with a significance level of 0.05. The p-value obtained is 0.03. What should the analyst conclude?
Reject the null hypothesis
p < alpha indicates statistically significant result.
Fail to reject the null hypothesis
Why wrong: p < alpha, so we reject null.
Accept the null hypothesis
Why wrong: We never accept null; we either reject or fail to reject.
The result is practically significant
Why wrong: Statistical significance does not imply practical significance.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Reject the null hypothesis
Since the p-value (0.03) is less than the significance level (0.05), the result is statistically significant. This means the observed data provides sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis. The analyst should conclude that there is a statistically significant effect or difference.
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.
Reject the null hypothesis
Why this is correct
p < alpha indicates statistically significant result.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Fail to reject the null hypothesis
Why it's wrong here
p < alpha, so we reject null.
Accept the null hypothesis
Why it's wrong here
We never accept null; we either reject or fail to reject.
The result is practically significant
Why it's wrong here
Statistical significance does not imply practical significance.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'fail to reject' with 'accept' the null hypothesis, or they mistakenly think a p-value less than α means the null hypothesis is proven false with certainty, rather than just providing sufficient evidence to reject it.
Detailed technical explanation
The p-value represents the probability of observing the test statistic (or something more extreme) assuming the null hypothesis is true. When p < α, the result falls in the critical region, leading to rejection of H0. In practice, this threshold is often set at 0.05 by convention, but the exact value can vary based on the field or the cost of Type I errors. A common subtlety is that a p-value of 0.03 does not mean there is a 3% chance the null hypothesis is true; it is a conditional probability based on H0 being true.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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FAQ
Analyzing and Modeling Data — This question tests Analyzing and Modeling Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Reject the null hypothesis — Since the p-value (0.03) is less than the significance level (0.05), the result is statistically significant. This means the observed data provides sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis in favor of the alternative hypothesis. The analyst should conclude that there is a statistically significant effect or difference.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This DA0-001 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 DA0-001 exam.
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