DA0-002 Data Acquisition and Preparation Practice Question
During data acquisition, a data engineer uses a tool to extract data from a source system incrementally based on a timestamp column. Which method is being used?
⚠ Common exam trap
DA0-002 often tests the confusion between CDC and full extraction; candidates must recognize that incremental extraction based on a timestamp is a form of CDC.
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
✓
Change data capture (CDC)
The method being used is change data capture (CDC), specifically timestamp-based CDC. CDC is a technique used to identify and capture changes made to data in a source system since the last extraction, often by using a timestamp column (e.g., last_modified) to select only rows that have changed. This allows for incremental extraction, reducing load and improving efficiency.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Change data capture (CDC)
Why this is correct
Change data capture extracts only rows changed since the last run, using the timestamp column as the high-water mark to identify new or modified records. This incremental pattern avoids full reloads, satisfying the requirement to extract data incrementally rather than in bulk.
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Snapshot extraction
Why it's wrong here
Snapshot extraction captures the whole source state at a point in time, comparing or replacing entire datasets rather than filtering rows by a timestamp column. It fits slowly changing dimensions needing full-state comparison, not incremental delta capture.
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Full extraction
Why it's wrong here
Full extraction reads the entire source table on every run, so the timestamp filter that drives incremental loading is ignored. It is tempting because it guarantees complete consistency and is the right choice for small reference tables or initial historical loads where volume is trivial.
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Manual extraction
Why it's wrong here
Manual extraction requires a person to trigger or script each pull, so no automated timestamp watermark advances between runs. It suits one-off ad hoc pulls or legacy sources lacking schedulable interfaces, not recurring incremental acquisition.
About these practice questions
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JA
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.