Databricks-DA-Assoc Executing Queries with Databricks SQL Practice Question
An analyst wants to see the unique values in a column named 'category'. Which SQL command should they use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates sometimes choose GROUP BY or COUNT when they simply need a list of unique values, forgetting that DISTINCT is the most direct syntax.
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
✓
SELECT DISTINCT category FROM table
The DISTINCT keyword is the standard SQL method for returning unique values from a result set. This is a common requirement for initial data exploration, such as identifying categories, regions, or product lines within a dataset. Understanding how to use DISTINCT effectively allows analysts to quickly grasp the breadth of data in a table before performing deeper analysis or aggregation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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SELECT UNIQUE category FROM table
Why it's wrong here
The UNIQUE keyword is not valid in a SELECT statement for returning distinct values. While some databases support variants, Databricks SQL requires the DISTINCT keyword. Using UNIQUE in this context will lead to a syntax error, as the engine does not recognize it as a valid operator for result sets.
- ✓
SELECT DISTINCT category FROM table
Why this is correct
The DISTINCT keyword correctly instructs the SQL engine to scan the specified column and return only unique values, discarding duplicates. This is the standard, optimized syntax in Databricks SQL for identifying unique entries within a dataset, providing a clear and concise way to summarize categorical data attributes.
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SELECT GROUP category FROM table
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'GROUP' keyword for selecting unique items. While grouping is used for aggregation, it is not a standalone command for listing distinct values in a column. Using this syntax will cause a syntax error, as the engine expects an aggregation function when the GROUP BY clause is present.
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SELECT ONLY category FROM table
Why it's wrong here
The keyword 'ONLY' is not a valid SQL operator for filtering duplicates. Databricks SQL relies on the standard ANSI-compliant 'DISTINCT' keyword for this task. Using 'ONLY' will result in a parsing error because the SQL engine cannot map the term to any valid operation or set-based keyword.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Databricks exam blueprint
This Databricks-DA-Assoc practice question is part of Courseiva's free Databricks 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 Databricks-DA-Assoc exam.