- A
4
Why wrong: More than necessary.
- B
3
Why wrong: Only two sets are required.
- C
2
Full backup plus the latest differential backup.
- D
1
Why wrong: A differential backup requires the last full backup.
Question 640 of 1,000
mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Differential Backup Restoration: How Many Sets Needed
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 security administrator is reviewing backup procedures for a database server. The current backup policy mandates a full backup every Sunday and differential backups Tuesday through Friday. On Wednesday, a failure occurs, and the database is lost. The last successful full backup was completed on Sunday, and the last differential backup was completed on Tuesday. How many backup sets are needed to restore the database to its state as of Tuesday?
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
✓
2
To restore the database to its state as of Tuesday, you need the last full backup (Sunday) and the last differential backup (Tuesday). A differential backup contains all changes since the last full backup, so applying the Tuesday differential to the Sunday full backup recovers all data up to Tuesday. The Wednesday failure does not affect the Tuesday state, and no other backups are required.
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.
- ✗
4
Why it's wrong here
More than necessary.
- ✗
3
Why it's wrong here
Only two sets are required.
- ✓
2
Why this is correct
Full backup plus the latest differential backup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
1
Why it's wrong here
A differential backup requires the last full backup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing differential backups with incremental backups, leading candidates to think they need all backups from Sunday through Tuesday (3 or 4 sets), when differential backups only require the last full and the most recent differential.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Differential backups track changes since the last full backup using a base image or change tracking mechanism (e.g., SQL Server's differential bitmap or Oracle's incremental change tracking). Unlike incremental backups, which require a chain of all backups since the last full, differential backups are cumulative, so only the most recent differential is needed. In a real-world scenario, if the Tuesday differential were corrupted, you would still need the Sunday full and possibly a transaction log backup (if point-in-time recovery is required), but the question assumes the Tuesday differential is valid.
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 SOC analyst notices unusual lateral movement in the network at 2 AM. The IR playbook dictates: identify and contain (isolate the affected machine), then eradicate (remove the malware), then recover (restore from backup), then document. Skipping containment before eradication risks the attacker regaining access. Questions like this test the sequence and rationale of incident response phases.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 2 — To restore the database to its state as of Tuesday, you need the last full backup (Sunday) and the last differential backup (Tuesday). A differential backup contains all changes since the last full backup, so applying the Tuesday differential to the Sunday full backup recovers all data up to Tuesday. The Wednesday failure does not affect the Tuesday state, and no other backups are required.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.
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