- A
Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), FILTER(ALL(Date), Date[Date] <= EARLIER(Date[Date])))
Why wrong: EARLIER is used in calculated columns, not measures. In a measure, there is no row context to reference.
- B
Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), DATESYTD(Date[Date]))
DATESYTD returns a set of dates from the start of the year to the current context date, which creates a running total within the year. For a full running total across years, one would use DATESBETWEEN or a filter.
- C
Running Total = TOTALYTD(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), Date[Date])
Why wrong: TOTALYTD is a function that calculates year-to-date, but it is used incorrectly; the correct syntax is TOTALYTD(expression, date, filter). However, this also works but is not the simplest. The issue is that it does not handle multiple years; it only shows YTD for each year.
- D
Running Total = SUMX(Sales, Sales[SalesAmount])
Why wrong: This simply sums all sales; it does not restrict to dates up to current context. It will return total sales regardless of filter.
Quick Answer
The correct DAX expression is Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), DATESYTD(Date[Date])). This works because DATESYTD is a time intelligence function that returns a contiguous set of dates from the start of the year up through the last date visible in the current filter context, and when wrapped inside CALCULATE, it modifies the filter context to compute a running total year-to-date. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of how time intelligence functions rely on a properly marked date table—a common trap is forgetting that DATESYTD requires a continuous date column from a designated date table, not a random date field. The key distinction here is that DATESYTD automatically handles the year boundary, unlike TOTALYTD which is a simpler wrapper; the exam often uses this to see if you know the underlying CALCULATE pattern. Memory tip: think of DATESYTD as “dates from the start of the year to today’s context”—it’s the engine behind any running total that resets annually.
PL-300 Model the data Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of model the data. 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 company has a fact table 'Sales' with a column 'SalesAmount' and a dimension table 'Date'. They want to create a measure that calculates the running total of sales over time. The Date table is marked as a date table. Which DAX expression is correct?
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
Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), DATESYTD(Date[Date]))
Option B is correct because DATESYTD returns a set of dates from the start of the year to the latest date in the current filter context, and when wrapped in CALCULATE, it correctly computes a year-to-date running total. Since the Date table is marked as a date table, DATESYTD works seamlessly with the time intelligence functions in DAX.
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.
- ✗
Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), FILTER(ALL(Date), Date[Date] <= EARLIER(Date[Date])))
Why it's wrong here
EARLIER is used in calculated columns, not measures. In a measure, there is no row context to reference.
- ✓
Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), DATESYTD(Date[Date]))
Why this is correct
DATESYTD returns a set of dates from the start of the year to the current context date, which creates a running total within the year. For a full running total across years, one would use DATESBETWEEN or a filter.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Running Total = TOTALYTD(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), Date[Date])
Why it's wrong here
TOTALYTD is a function that calculates year-to-date, but it is used incorrectly; the correct syntax is TOTALYTD(expression, date, filter). However, this also works but is not the simplest. The issue is that it does not handle multiple years; it only shows YTD for each year.
- ✗
Running Total = SUMX(Sales, Sales[SalesAmount])
Why it's wrong here
This simply sums all sales; it does not restrict to dates up to current context. It will return total sales regardless of filter.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DATESYTD with a general running total function, but DATESYTD only works within a single year, so the question's wording 'running total over time' might mislead test-takers into thinking any time intelligence function will work, when in fact a proper running total requires a FILTER with ALL or ALLSELECTED.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
TOTALYTD is a function that calculates year-to-date, but it is used incorrectly; the correct syntax is TOTALYTD(expression, date, filter). However, this also works but is not the simplest. The issue is that it does not handle multiple years; it only shows YTD for each year.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DATESYTD is a table function that returns a single-column table of dates from January 1 of the year to the last date visible in the filter context. When used inside CALCULATE, it modifies the filter context to include only those dates, enabling the measure to compute a cumulative sum over the year. In a real-world scenario, if you need a running total across multiple years, you would use a pattern like CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), FILTER(ALL(Date), Date[Date] <= MAX(Date[Date]))), which is more flexible than DATESYTD.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PL-300 question test?
Model the data — This question tests Model the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Running Total = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), DATESYTD(Date[Date])) — Option B is correct because DATESYTD returns a set of dates from the start of the year to the latest date in the current filter context, and when wrapped in CALCULATE, it correctly computes a year-to-date running total. Since the Date table is marked as a date table, DATESYTD works seamlessly with the time intelligence functions in DAX.
What should I do if I get this PL-300 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on PL-300
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You have a table with a column 'Date' and a measure 'Total Sales'. You want to calculate the cumulative total of sales over time. Which DAX function should you use?
easy- A.SUM(Sales[Amount])
- B.DATESYTD('Date'[Date])
- C.CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), ALL(Sales))
- ✓ D.TOTALYTD(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date])
Why D: Option C is correct because TOTALYTD calculates year-to-date cumulative totals. Option A is wrong because SUM adds all values, not cumulative. Option B is wrong because CALCULATE modifies filter context but does not inherently provide cumulative. Option D is wrong because DATESYTD returns a set of dates, not a cumulative sum.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PL-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 PL-300 exam.
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