DA0-002 Visualization and Reporting Practice Question
Exhibit
chart: {
type: 'line',
data: {
labels: ['Q1','Q2','Q3','Q4'],
datasets: [{
label: 'Sales',
data: [100,200,150,300]
}]
},
options: {
scales: {
y: {
beginAtZero: false
}
}
}
}Refer to the exhibit. A stakeholder complains that the line chart exaggerates the changes in sales. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
DA0-002 often tests the principle that truncated y-axes exaggerate changes, so candidates may blame the chart type or data points instead of recognizing the axis scaling issue as the root cause.
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
✓
The y-axis does not start at zero
A line chart can exaggerate changes if the y-axis does not start at zero. By truncating the y-axis (e.g., starting at 80 instead of 0), small fluctuations appear as large peaks and valleys, misleading viewers. This is a common data visualization pitfall that distorts the perception of magnitude.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The y-axis does not start at zero
Why this is correct
A truncated y-axis compresses the visible range, so small absolute changes occupy a large proportion of the plotted height, steepening the apparent slope. The stem's complaint of exaggerated variation is satisfied precisely because the baseline sits above zero, inflating the visual gradient of the sales line.
- ✗
There are too few data points
Why it's wrong here
Too few data points produces a sparse, angular line, but exaggeration of change comes from the value axis not starting at zero. It is tempting because sparse series do look dramatic, and would be the cause where the exhibit shows only a handful of plotted observations.
- ✗
The data labels are incorrect
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect data labels would misstate individual values, not stretch the visual amplitude of the plotted line. It is tempting because labels are a common chart defect, and correcting them would be the right fix where plotted points disagree with the underlying figures.
- ✗
The chart type should be a bar chart
Why it's wrong here
Switching to a bar chart changes the visual encoding but does not by itself correct a truncated value axis, which is what magnifies variation. It is tempting because bars imply magnitude from zero, and would be correct where the data are categorical rather than a time series.
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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.