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 notices that queries on a large table are taking too long to execute. Which action would most likely improve performance?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an index on frequently queried columns.
Creating an index on frequently queried columns allows the database to locate rows using a B-tree or hash structure, reducing the need for full table scans. This directly addresses slow query performance on large tables by minimizing disk I/O and CPU overhead during SELECT operations.
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.
✗
Add more columns to the table.
Why it's wrong here
Adding columns may increase I/O and slow queries.
✗
Denormalize the table.
Why it's wrong here
Denormalization may reduce joins but can increase data redundancy; indexing is typically the first step.
✗
Perform further normalization.
Why it's wrong here
Normalization can improve data integrity but may not directly speed up existing queries.
✓
Create an index on frequently queried columns.
Why this is correct
Indexes allow faster data access by reducing full table scans.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" 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 may confuse normalization with performance optimization, but normalization is designed to reduce redundancy and maintain data integrity, not to speed up queries on large tables.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Indexes in relational databases (e.g., MySQL InnoDB, PostgreSQL) are implemented as B+ trees, where each leaf node contains a pointer to the actual row. When a query uses an indexed column in a WHERE clause, the database engine traverses the tree in O(log n) time instead of scanning the entire table (O(n)). However, indexes add overhead on INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations because the index structure must be maintained, so they should be created judiciously based on query patterns.
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 FC0-U61 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.
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: Create an index on frequently queried columns. — Creating an index on frequently queried columns allows the database to locate rows using a B-tree or hash structure, reducing the need for full table scans. This directly addresses slow query performance on large tables by minimizing disk I/O and CPU overhead during SELECT operations.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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