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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for database normalization? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Eliminate redundant data
Eliminating redundant data is a core goal of database normalization because it reduces storage requirements and prevents data inconsistencies. By ensuring each piece of data is stored in only one place, you avoid update anomalies that occur when the same fact is recorded in multiple rows or tables. This practice directly supports the second normal form (2NF) and third normal form (3NF) objectives of removing partial and transitive dependencies.
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.
✗
Use composite primary keys excessively
Why it's wrong here
Excessive composite keys can complicate design; normalization does not require them.
✓
Eliminate redundant data
Why this is correct
Redundancy causes anomalies; normalization removes it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Ensure data dependencies make sense
Why this is correct
Functional dependencies should reflect real-world relationships.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Reduce update anomalies
Why this is correct
One main goal of normalization is to minimize update anomalies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create separate tables for each attribute
Why it's wrong here
This is over-normalization and impractical.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that normalization means creating many small tables (one per attribute), when in fact it requires grouping attributes by their functional dependencies to eliminate redundancy without over-fragmentation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Normalization is a systematic process of decomposing tables to reduce redundancy and dependency, guided by functional dependency theory. For example, in a table storing orders and customer details, storing the customer's address in every order row violates 3NF because the address depends on the customer ID, not the order ID; splitting into separate Customers and Orders tables eliminates this transitive dependency. Real-world databases often normalize to 3NF or BCNF to balance data integrity with query performance, though denormalization may be used for read-heavy workloads.
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: Eliminate redundant data — Eliminating redundant data is a core goal of database normalization because it reduces storage requirements and prevents data inconsistencies. By ensuring each piece of data is stored in only one place, you avoid update anomalies that occur when the same fact is recorded in multiple rows or tables. This practice directly supports the second normal form (2NF) and third normal form (3NF) objectives of removing partial and transitive dependencies.
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.
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Question Discussion
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