PDE Preparing and Using Data for Analysis Practice Question
You need to create a Looker model that defines a 'sales' view based on a BigQuery table, with a measure for total revenue. Which LookML object defines the table and dimensions?
⚠ Common exam trap
PDE often tests the confusion between view and explore — candidates who think the explore defines the table pick A, not realizing the view is where sql_table_name and dimensions live.
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
✓
view
In LookML, a view defines the underlying database table and contains its dimensions (columns) and measures (aggregations like total revenue). The view is the fundamental building block that maps a physical table to a logical set of fields, and it is referenced by explores to make those fields queryable.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
explore
Why it's wrong here
An explore joins and exposes views for querying; it defines neither the table nor the dimensions. It is tempting because explores reference the sales view and appear in the model, but the view itself carries sql_table_name plus the dimension and measure definitions that the explore merely surfaces to users.
- ✓
view
Why this is correct
The view object maps a LookML view to an underlying BigQuery table and declares its dimensions and measures, including total revenue. It satisfies the requirement to define the table structure and the revenue measure in one reusable object.
- ✗
model
Why it's wrong here
The model file declares database connections, includes and explores; it does not define a view's table or its dimensions. It is tempting because the model is the top-level LookML object, but the view is what specifies sql_table_name and holds the dimension and measure definitions for the sales data.
- ✗
dimension
Why it's wrong here
A dimension defines a single column or derived attribute for grouping and filtering, not the underlying table or its measures. It is tempting because dimensions and the view both live in LookML and reference columns, yet the view is the object that declares sql_table_name and contains the dimensions and measures.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Google Cloud exam blueprint
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