- A
Create a partition on the time column to improve performance.
Why wrong: Partitioning is optional for ARIMA+ and not a requirement for the model.
- B
Remove any rows with NULL values in the time column.
Why wrong: NULL time values would be ignored, but not a specific requirement; they should be handled.
- C
Sort the data by the time column in ascending order.
ARIMA+ expects the data to be ordered by time.
- D
Ensure the time column is of type DATE or TIMESTAMP.
Required for ARIMA+ to recognize the time series.
- E
Encode the target variable using one-hot encoding.
Why wrong: Target variable should be numeric; one-hot encoding is for categorical features.
Question 963 of 1,000
PDE Preparing and Using Data for Analysis Practice Question
This PDE practice question tests your understanding of preparing and using data for analysis. 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 data engineer is planning a time-series forecasting model using BigQuery ML ARIMA+ on a dataset with daily sales data spanning 3 years. Which TWO actions are required to prepare the data for ARIMA+? (Choose 2.)
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
✓
Sort the data by the time column in ascending order.
ARIMA+ requires a time column and a numeric target column. The time column must be in a date/timestamp format. Additionally, the data should be sorted by time. Missing values should be handled (e.g., filled with 0 or interpolated) but that's not a requirement of the function itself.
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.
- ✗
Create a partition on the time column to improve performance.
Why it's wrong here
Partitioning is optional for ARIMA+ and not a requirement for the model.
- ✗
Remove any rows with NULL values in the time column.
Why it's wrong here
NULL time values would be ignored, but not a specific requirement; they should be handled.
- ✓
Sort the data by the time column in ascending order.
Why this is correct
ARIMA+ expects the data to be ordered by time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Ensure the time column is of type DATE or TIMESTAMP.
Why this is correct
Required for ARIMA+ to recognize the time series.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Encode the target variable using one-hot encoding.
Why it's wrong here
Target variable should be numeric; one-hot encoding is for categorical features.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Preparing and Using Data for Analysis — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PDE question test?
Preparing and Using Data for Analysis — This question tests Preparing and Using Data for Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Sort the data by the time column in ascending order. — ARIMA+ requires a time column and a numeric target column. The time column must be in a date/timestamp format. Additionally, the data should be sorted by time. Missing values should be handled (e.g., filled with 0 or interpolated) but that's not a requirement of the function itself.
What should I do if I get this PDE question wrong?
Identify which PDE exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This PDE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 PDE exam.
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