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FC0-U71 Practice Question: A database must be restored to the exact state at…
A database must be restored to the exact state at 11:00 AM. The last full backup was at 10:00 PM previous day, and transaction log backups were taken every hour. What is the minimum to restore?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often think a differential backup can achieve point-in-time recovery, but differentials only capture changes up to a point, not the granular transaction-level detail needed to restore to an exact time like 11:00 AM.
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
✓
Full backup plus all transaction log backups from after full backup
To restore a database to a specific point in time (11:00 AM) when only full and transaction log backups exist, you must restore the most recent full backup (from 10:00 PM previous day) and then apply all subsequent transaction log backups in sequence. Transaction log backups contain all committed transactions up to the time of the backup, so applying them in order after the full backup brings the database to the exact state at the time of the last log backup (which would be 11:00 AM if the hourly log backup was taken at that time). Option A is correct because it includes the full backup and all transaction log backups taken after it, which is the minimum required for point-in-time recovery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Full backup plus all transaction log backups from after full backup
Why this is correct
Restoring the 10:00 PM full backup then replaying every hourly transaction log backup up to 11:00 AM achieves point-in-time recovery, satisfying the requirement for the exact 11:00 AM state. Transaction logs capture all committed changes between backups, so no intermediate data is lost.
- ✗
Transaction log backup only
Why it's wrong here
Transaction logs record changes but cannot rebuild the database without a base full backup to apply them against. It is tempting because logs provide the point-in-time precision needed for 11:00 AM, yet they must be restored after the 10:00 PM full backup, not instead of it.
- ✗
Full backup only
Why it's wrong here
A full backup alone restores only to 10:00 PM, losing every transaction committed since. It is tempting because the full backup is the foundation of any restore, but reaching 11:00 AM requires replaying the hourly transaction log backups taken between 10:00 PM and 11:00 AM.
- ✗
Full backup plus differential backup
Why it's wrong here
Differential backups capture changes since the last full backup, but none were taken here, and even one would not reach an exact 11:00 AM. It is tempting because differentials reduce restore steps, but transaction log backups are what provide the required point-in-time recovery.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.