- A
2NF
2NF is violated by partial dependencies on a composite key.
- B
BCNF
Why wrong: BCNF is a stronger form than 3NF.
- C
3NF
Why wrong: 3NF deals with transitive dependencies, which come after 2NF.
- D
1NF
Why wrong: 1NF is satisfied if atomic values exist.
Question 854 of 1,000
DA0-001 Data Concepts and Environments Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of data concepts and environments. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 database has a table that violates 2NF because it contains a composite primary key and some attributes depend only on part of that key. Which normal form would be violated next if the table is not addressed?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
2NF
The table already violates 2NF because it has a composite primary key and some attributes depend only on part of that key. If this violation is not addressed, the next normal form that would be violated is 3NF, because 3NF requires that the table be in 2NF and that no transitive dependencies exist. Since 2NF is not satisfied, the table cannot meet the prerequisites for 3NF, making 3NF the next violated normal form.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
2NF
Why this is correct
2NF is violated by partial dependencies on a composite key.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
BCNF
Why it's wrong here
BCNF is a stronger form than 3NF.
- ✗
3NF
Why it's wrong here
3NF deals with transitive dependencies, which come after 2NF.
- ✗
1NF
Why it's wrong here
1NF is satisfied if atomic values exist.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates see 'violates 2NF' and assume the answer must be 2NF, but the question asks which normal form would be violated next, which is 3NF, not 2NF.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Normalization proceeds sequentially: a table must satisfy 1NF before 2NF, 2NF before 3NF, and 3NF before BCNF. In this scenario, the table already fails 2NF due to partial dependencies on a composite key, so it cannot be in 2NF. The next normal form that would be violated is 3NF, because 3NF requires 2NF as a prerequisite. A real-world example is an order table with columns (OrderID, ProductID, CustomerName, ProductName) where CustomerName depends only on OrderID (partial dependency) and ProductName depends only on ProductID (partial dependency), violating 2NF; if left unnormalized, transitive dependencies like CustomerName -> CustomerCity would violate 3NF.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the DA0-001 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Data Concepts and Environments — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Data Concepts and Environments practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DA0-001 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DA0-001 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DA0-001 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Data Concepts and Environments practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Data Concepts and Environments.
Analysing Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Analysing Data.
Visualising Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Visualising Data.
Reporting Insights practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Reporting Insights.
Mining Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Mining Data.
Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts.
Mining and Acquiring Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Mining and Acquiring Data.
Analyzing and Modeling Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Analyzing and Modeling Data.
Visualizing Data practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Visualizing Data.
Communicating Data Insights practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to Communicating Data Insights.
CompTIA A+ hardware practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to CompTIA A+ hardware.
CompTIA A+ mobile devices practice questions
Practise DA0-001 questions linked to CompTIA A+ mobile devices.
Practice this exam
Start a free DA0-001 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DA0-001 question test?
Data Concepts and Environments — This question tests Data Concepts and Environments — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 2NF — The table already violates 2NF because it has a composite primary key and some attributes depend only on part of that key. If this violation is not addressed, the next normal form that would be violated is 3NF, because 3NF requires that the table be in 2NF and that no transitive dependencies exist. Since 2NF is not satisfied, the table cannot meet the prerequisites for 3NF, making 3NF the next violated normal form.
What should I do if I get this DA0-001 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.