Quick Answer
The correct answer is Third Normal Form (3NF) violation, specifically due to a transitive dependency. This occurs because DepartmentName depends on DepartmentID, which is not a candidate key, rather than depending directly on the primary key EmployeeID. In a properly normalized 3NF table, every non-key column must rely solely on the primary key, but here we have a chain: EmployeeID determines DepartmentID, and DepartmentID determines DepartmentName, creating a transitive dependency that introduces data redundancy and update anomalies. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this concept tests your ability to spot when a non-key column depends on another non-key column instead of the primary key—a common trap is confusing 2NF (which only removes partial dependencies) with 3NF. To remember, think “the key, the whole key, and nothing but the key, so help me Codd”—if any non-key column depends on something other than the key, it’s a 3NF violation.
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 table has columns: EmployeeID (PK), DepartmentID, DepartmentName, Salary. Which normal form violation exists?
No violation
Why wrong: A 3NF violation exists.
Second Normal Form
Why wrong: There is no partial dependency because EmployeeID is PK and all non-key attributes depend on it.
First Normal Form
Why wrong: All values are atomic, so 1NF is satisfied.
Third Normal Form
Transitive dependency: DepartmentName depends on DepartmentID, not on EmployeeID.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Third Normal Form
The table violates Third Normal Form (3NF) because DepartmentName depends on DepartmentID, which is not a candidate key. In 3NF, every non-key column must depend solely on the primary key (EmployeeID), not on another non-key column. This transitive dependency (EmployeeID → DepartmentID → DepartmentName) requires splitting the table into Employees and Departments to achieve 3NF.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No violation
Why it's wrong here
A 3NF violation exists.
Second Normal Form
Why it's wrong here
There is no partial dependency because EmployeeID is PK and all non-key attributes depend on it.
First Normal Form
Why it's wrong here
All values are atomic, so 1NF is satisfied.
Third Normal Form
Why this is correct
Transitive dependency: DepartmentName depends on DepartmentID, not on EmployeeID.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse transitive dependencies with partial dependencies, leading them to incorrectly select Second Normal Form (2NF) instead of Third Normal Form (3NF).
Detailed technical explanation
Transitive dependencies are a key 3NF concept: if A → B and B → C, then A → C transitively, which can cause update anomalies (e.g., changing DepartmentName for one employee might not update it for others in the same department). In practice, denormalizing for performance might keep such a table, but it violates 3NF and risks data inconsistency. The normalization process would decompose this into Employee (EmployeeID, DepartmentID, Salary) and Department (DepartmentID, DepartmentName).
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Database Fundamentals — This question tests Database Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Third Normal Form — The table violates Third Normal Form (3NF) because DepartmentName depends on DepartmentID, which is not a candidate key. In 3NF, every non-key column must depend solely on the primary key (EmployeeID), not on another non-key column. This transitive dependency (EmployeeID → DepartmentID → DepartmentName) requires splitting the table into Employees and Departments to achieve 3NF.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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