DA0-002 Data Concepts and Environments Practice Question
A database administrator is designing a normalized database to reduce data redundancy. They have a table with columns: OrderID, ProductID, ProductName, and Quantity. The table is currently in 1NF. To move to 2NF, which issue must be resolved?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA Data+ often tests the distinction between partial dependencies (2NF) and transitive dependencies (3NF), so candidates mistakenly choose a transitive dependency when the real issue is a partial dependency on a composite key.
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
✓
ProductName depends only on ProductID, causing a partial dependency
To move from 1NF to 2NF, the table must have no partial dependencies. A partial dependency occurs when a non-key attribute depends on only part of a composite primary key. Here, the composite key is (OrderID, ProductID). ProductName depends only on ProductID, not on the full key, so it is a partial dependency. Option A (repeating groups) is a violation of 1NF, not 2NF, and the table is already in 1NF. Option C is incorrect because Quantity depends on both OrderID and ProductID (it is fully functionally dependent on the composite key). Option D is incorrect because a transitive dependency (where a non-key attribute depends on another non-key attribute) is a 3NF issue, not 2NF. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The table has repeating groups
Why it's wrong here
Repeating groups would violate 1NF, not 2NF.
- ✓
ProductName depends only on ProductID, causing a partial dependency
Why this is correct
Partial dependency on part of a composite key violates 2NF.
- ✗
Quantity depends on both OrderID and ProductID
Why it's wrong here
Quantity is fully dependent on the composite key, which is acceptable for 2NF.
- ✗
The table has a transitive dependency
Why it's wrong here
Transitive dependencies relate to 3NF, not 2NF.
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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.