The correct answer is Third Normal Form (3NF) because the table contains a transitive dependency violation. Specifically, CustomerName depends on CustomerID, which is not a candidate key or part of the primary key (OrderID), creating an indirect dependency: OrderID determines CustomerID, and CustomerID determines CustomerName, so CustomerName is transitively dependent on OrderID. For 3NF compliance, every non-key attribute must depend solely on the primary key, not on another non-key attribute. On the CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 exam, this scenario tests your ability to spot hidden transitive dependencies—a common trap is confusing 2NF (which only removes partial dependencies) with 3NF. Remember, if a non-key column tells you something about another non-key column, you’ve got a transitive dependency. A quick memory tip: “3NF means no non-key tells a tale about another non-key.”
DA0-001 Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of comparing and contrasting data concepts. 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 database table has columns: OrderID (primary key), ProductID, CustomerID, CustomerName, OrderDate, ProductName. All products are purchased only by the customer who placed the order. Which normal form violation exists if CustomerName depends on CustomerID?
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.
Why wrong: BCNF requires that every determinant is a candidate key; here CustomerID is a determinant but not a candidate key, so BCNF is also violated, but the most immediate violation is 3NF.
B
Third normal form (3NF)
CustomerName depends on CustomerID, which is not a candidate key, creating a transitive dependency and violating 3NF.
C
Second normal form (2NF)
Why wrong: 2NF requires no partial dependencies on composite keys. Since OrderID might be a single primary key, there is no partial dependency.
D
First normal form (1NF)
Why wrong: 1NF requires atomic values, which appears satisfied; there are no repeating groups.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Third normal form (3NF)
The table violates Third Normal Form (3NF) because CustomerName depends on CustomerID, which is not a candidate key (the primary key is OrderID). 3NF requires that every non-key attribute be non-transitively dependent on the primary key; here, CustomerName is transitively dependent on OrderID via CustomerID. Since CustomerID is a non-key attribute (it is not part of the primary key), this transitive dependency breaks 3NF.
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.
✗
Boyce-Codd normal form (BCNF)
Why it's wrong here
BCNF requires that every determinant is a candidate key; here CustomerID is a determinant but not a candidate key, so BCNF is also violated, but the most immediate violation is 3NF.
✓
Third normal form (3NF)
Why this is correct
CustomerName depends on CustomerID, which is not a candidate key, creating a transitive dependency and violating 3NF.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Second normal form (2NF)
Why it's wrong here
2NF requires no partial dependencies on composite keys. Since OrderID might be a single primary key, there is no partial dependency.
✗
First normal form (1NF)
Why it's wrong here
1NF requires atomic values, which appears satisfied; there are no repeating groups.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse transitive dependencies (3NF violation) with partial dependencies (2NF violation) or think that any dependency on a non-key attribute automatically violates BCNF, but the specific scenario of CustomerName depending on CustomerID is a textbook transitive dependency that breaks 3NF first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, normalization is about eliminating redundancy and update anomalies. In this table, storing CustomerName with every order for the same CustomerID leads to data duplication and potential inconsistency if a customer changes their name. A proper 3NF design would split the table into Orders (OrderID, ProductID, CustomerID, OrderDate) and Customers (CustomerID, CustomerName), removing the transitive dependency. In real-world databases, this is critical for maintaining referential integrity and reducing storage overhead, especially in OLTP systems.
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.
Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts — This question tests Comparing and Contrasting Data Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Third normal form (3NF) — The table violates Third Normal Form (3NF) because CustomerName depends on CustomerID, which is not a candidate key (the primary key is OrderID). 3NF requires that every non-key attribute be non-transitively dependent on the primary key; here, CustomerName is transitively dependent on OrderID via CustomerID. Since CustomerID is a non-key attribute (it is not part of the primary key), this transitive dependency breaks 3NF.
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 →
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.
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.