The correct answer is splitting customer information into Customers and Orders tables linked by a foreign key. This is a best practice because database normalization focuses on reducing data redundancy and improving data integrity by organizing data into separate, related tables for each distinct entity, ensuring each fact is stored only once. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to eliminate duplicate data and repeating groups, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which design choices reduce anomalies. A common trap is confusing normalization with denormalization for performance, so remember that normalization prioritizes data consistency over speed. Memory tip: think “one fact, one place” to recall that normalization splits entities like Customers and Orders to avoid storing the same customer name repeatedly across multiple order rows.
FC0-U61 Database Fundamentals Practice Question
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of database fundamentals. 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 administrator is designing a normalized database for an e-commerce site. Which TWO actions represent best practices for normalization?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Removing duplicate data from tables by creating separate tables for each entity
Option C is correct because normalization aims to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity by removing duplicate data and organizing it into separate, related tables. By creating separate tables for each distinct entity (e.g., Customers, Orders, Products), you eliminate repeating groups and ensure each fact is stored only once, which is a core principle of database normalization.
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.
✗
Creating separate tables for each customer order without linking them
Why it's wrong here
This duplicates customer data and lacks referential integrity.
✗
Storing all product details in a single column as a list
Why it's wrong here
Storing multiple values in one column violates first normal form.
✓
Removing duplicate data from tables by creating separate tables for each entity
Why this is correct
This reduces redundancy and improves data integrity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Splitting customer information into Customers and Orders tables linked by a foreign key
Why this is correct
This reduces redundancy and is a key normalization step.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Storing calculated totals in the same table to avoid joins
Why it's wrong here
Calculated values should be derived to avoid update anomalies.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse normalization with simply splitting data arbitrarily (Option A) or think that storing pre-calculated values (Option E) improves performance, when in fact normalization prioritizes data integrity over denormalization for performance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Normalization is typically achieved through a series of normal forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF). For example, in 1NF, each column must contain atomic values, so a list of product details in one column would break this rule. In practice, splitting customer information into Customers and Orders tables linked by a foreign key (Option D) is a classic example of achieving 2NF or 3NF, where partial dependencies and transitive dependencies are eliminated to ensure data integrity and reduce update anomalies.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Database Fundamentals — This question tests Database Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Removing duplicate data from tables by creating separate tables for each entity — Option C is correct because normalization aims to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity by removing duplicate data and organizing it into separate, related tables. By creating separate tables for each distinct entity (e.g., Customers, Orders, Products), you eliminate repeating groups and ensure each fact is stored only once, which is a core principle of database normalization.
What should I do if I get this FC0-U61 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A database designer wants to avoid duplicate data across tables and ensure each table stores information about a single entity. Which process should the designer apply?
easy
A.Indexing
B.Transaction isolation
✓ C.Normalization
D.Backup and recovery
Why C: Normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to reduce redundancy and dependency by dividing large tables into smaller, related tables and defining relationships between them. This ensures each table stores information about a single entity and avoids duplicate data across tables, aligning with the designer's goal.
Variation 2. A database administrator is designing a normalized database. Which TWO are benefits of normalization?
medium
✓ A.Reduces data redundancy
✓ B.Eliminates update anomalies
C.Improves query performance
D.Increases data redundancy
E.Requires fewer tables
Why A: Normalization reduces data redundancy (Option B) and eliminates update anomalies (Option D). Option A is false (increases complexity), C is false (more joins may reduce performance), E is false (requires more tables).
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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