Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A records manager discovers 18-month-old paper onboarding forms stored in a cabinet. The retention schedule says the forms must be destroyed after 12 months unless legal hold applies, and no hold has been issued. What is the best next step?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Keep the forms indefinitely in case a future audit asks for them.
Keeping records beyond the approved retention period can create unnecessary privacy and storage risk.
B
Distractor review
Scan the forms into a shared folder and then throw away the paper.
Scanning does not justify retention beyond the schedule, and a shared folder may expose the data improperly.
C
Best answer
Destroy the forms using an approved secure disposal method and document the action.
This is correct because the retention period has expired and no legal hold exists, so secure disposal is required.
D
Distractor review
Return the forms to HR so they can be reused for new hires.
Reusing old forms would violate records handling requirements and could expose protected personal information.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Destroy the forms using an approved secure disposal method and document the action. — When the retention period has expired and no legal hold applies, the correct action is secure destruction with documentation. Retaining the records longer than required increases the amount of personal data the organization must protect and may violate internal retention rules or regulatory expectations. Proper disposal shows that the organization follows its lifecycle controls for sensitive records, rather than keeping data simply because it is available. Why others are wrong: Keeping the forms indefinitely ignores the retention schedule and creates unnecessary exposure. Scanning them does not solve the retention issue and may introduce a second storage location that also must be protected. Reusing old forms is inappropriate because it mishandles personal information and defeats the purpose of controlled record destruction.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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