- A
A foreign key must have the same name as the primary key it references
Why wrong: Foreign keys can have different names.
- B
A foreign key ensures referential integrity between tables
Foreign keys enforce that values match the referenced primary key.
- C
A foreign key can reference a column that is not a primary key
Why wrong: Foreign keys typically reference a primary key or unique constraint.
- D
A table can have multiple primary keys
Why wrong: A table can have only one primary key, but it can be composite.
- E
A primary key column cannot contain NULL values
Primary keys enforce uniqueness and non-nullability.
Question 486 of 1,000
DA0-001 Data Concepts and Environments Practice Question
This DA0-001 practice question tests your understanding of data concepts and environments. 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 university database stores student information in a normalized schema. The 'students' table has a primary key 'student_id'. The 'enrollments' table has a foreign key 'student_id' referencing 'students'. Which two of the following are true about primary and foreign keys? (Select TWO)
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
✓
A foreign key ensures referential integrity between tables
Option B is correct because a foreign key enforces referential integrity by ensuring that every value in the foreign key column of the 'enrollments' table matches a valid primary key value in the 'students' table. This prevents orphaned records and maintains consistency across related tables in a normalized relational database.
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.
- ✗
A foreign key must have the same name as the primary key it references
Why it's wrong here
Foreign keys can have different names.
- ✓
A foreign key ensures referential integrity between tables
Why this is correct
Foreign keys enforce that values match the referenced primary 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.
- ✗
A foreign key can reference a column that is not a primary key
Why it's wrong here
Foreign keys typically reference a primary key or unique constraint.
- ✗
A table can have multiple primary keys
Why it's wrong here
A table can have only one primary key, but it can be composite.
- ✓
A primary key column cannot contain NULL values
Why this is correct
Primary keys enforce uniqueness and non-nullability.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a foreign key can reference any column, forgetting that the referenced column must have a unique constraint (primary key or unique) to ensure a single target row, which is a common point of confusion in DA0-001.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a foreign key constraint creates a dependency that the database engine checks on every INSERT or UPDATE to the referencing table, and optionally on DELETE or UPDATE to the referenced table (via CASCADE, SET NULL, etc.). In MySQL, for example, the foreign key must reference a column that is part of a PRIMARY KEY or UNIQUE constraint, and the referenced and referencing columns must have compatible data types. A real-world scenario is a university system where a student drops out; if the foreign key has ON DELETE CASCADE, all their enrollments are automatically removed, preserving data consistency.
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.
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Data Concepts and Environments — study guide chapter
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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: A foreign key ensures referential integrity between tables — Option B is correct because a foreign key enforces referential integrity by ensuring that every value in the foreign key column of the 'enrollments' table matches a valid primary key value in the 'students' table. This prevents orphaned records and maintains consistency across related tables in a normalized relational database.
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
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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.
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