DA0-002 Data Analysis Practice Question
A time series of monthly sales data exhibits a clear upward trend over several years, with consistent peaks each December. Which components are present in this series?
⚠ Common exam trap
DA0-002 often tests the identification of time series components, and candidates may confuse seasonality with cyclical patterns or overlook the trend when seasonality is prominent.
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
✓
Trend and seasonality
The time series exhibits an upward trend over several years and consistent peaks each December, which is seasonality. Therefore, the components present are trend and seasonality. Cyclical components are not mentioned, and irregular components are always present but not the focus.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Trend and seasonality
Why this is correct
The sustained upward movement over years is the trend component, while the recurring December peaks represent seasonality with a fixed period of twelve months. Both components coexist in the series, so trend and seasonality are present.
- ✗
Cyclical and irregular components only
Why it's wrong here
The steady multi-year rise is a trend component, which this pairing excludes, and December peaks are seasonal rather than cyclical. Cyclical plus irregular describes series with long-wave fluctuations and random noise but neither sustained growth nor fixed calendar peaks.
- ✗
Seasonality and cyclical components only
Why it's wrong here
The multi-year upward movement is trend, not cyclical, and the December peaks are seasonal, so this omits the trend entirely. Seasonality plus cyclical applies when fluctuations repeat at fixed intervals and over longer irregular periods, with no sustained directional growth.
- ✗
Trend and irregular components only
Why it's wrong here
December peaks recur at a fixed twelve-month period, which is seasonality, and omitting it misreads the pattern. Trend plus irregular describes a series with long-term drift and random noise but no repeating calendar pattern, so it fits data lacking the December spikes.
About these practice questions
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.