DA0-002 Data Acquisition and Preparation Practice Question
A data analyst is tasked with collecting data from multiple spreadsheets provided by different departments. Each spreadsheet has different column names and formats. What is the best first step?
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
✓
Develop a data dictionary and standardize column names
Developing a data dictionary and standardizing column names ensures consistency across all data sources before loading, reducing errors and facilitating integration. Immediately loading data can cause inconsistencies. Discarding mismatched data loses potentially valuable information. Using a machine learning model is an unnecessary and complex first step.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Develop a data dictionary and standardize column names
Why this is correct
Standardization ensures all data sources align, making subsequent loading and analysis consistent.
- ✗
Discard any mismatched data
Why it's wrong here
Discarding data may remove valuable information and is not a best practice.
- ✗
Use a machine learning model to clean data
Why it's wrong here
This is too advanced and not the appropriate first step; standardization should be done manually first.
- ✗
Immediately load all data into a database
Why it's wrong here
Loading without standardization will lead to inconsistencies and integration issues.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.