- A
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), DATEADD(Date[Date], -1, YEAR))
Why wrong: DATEADD with -1 YEAR shifts dates by one year, but may not handle leap year edges correctly for year-over-year comparison.
- B
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PARALLELPERIOD(Date[Date], -1, YEAR))
Why wrong: PARALLELPERIOD shifts the entire period by one year, which may include incomplete periods if the current period is not a full year.
- C
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR(Date[Date]))
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR returns a set of dates shifted one year back and is the standard for year-over-year calculations in time intelligence.
- D
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSYEAR(Date[Date]))
Why wrong: PREVIOUSYEAR returns the previous year based on the current context, but it is not appropriate for year-over-year growth as it changes the context to the full prior year.
Quick Answer
The answer is SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR, used within a CALCULATE function to compute previous year’s sales. This DAX measure works by shifting the current filter context—such as the selected month or quarter—back exactly one year, leveraging the date table to return the same period from the prior year. For the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this tests your understanding of time intelligence functions and the necessity of a properly marked date table; a common trap is confusing SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR with DATEADD, which can shift by any interval but requires careful syntax. When calculating previous year sales for year-over-year growth, SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is the most straightforward and reliable choice because it automatically aligns to the same day range. Memory tip: think “Same Period Last Year” as a time machine that preserves your current date boundaries—just add CALCULATE to sum your sales measure.
PL-300 Visualize and analyze the data Practice Question
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of visualize and analyze 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 sales manager wants to create a report that shows year-over-year growth for each product category. They have a date table and a sales table with daily sales. Which DAX measure should they use to calculate the previous year's sales?
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
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR(Date[Date]))
Option C is correct because SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is the most straightforward and reliable DAX function for calculating the previous year's sales when you have a proper date table. It automatically shifts the current filter context back by one year, ensuring that the measure returns the exact same period (e.g., same month and day range) from the prior year, which is ideal for year-over-year growth calculations.
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.
- ✗
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), DATEADD(Date[Date], -1, YEAR))
Why it's wrong here
DATEADD with -1 YEAR shifts dates by one year, but may not handle leap year edges correctly for year-over-year comparison.
- ✗
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PARALLELPERIOD(Date[Date], -1, YEAR))
Why it's wrong here
PARALLELPERIOD shifts the entire period by one year, which may include incomplete periods if the current period is not a full year.
- ✓
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR(Date[Date]))
Why this is correct
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR returns a set of dates shifted one year back and is the standard for year-over-year calculations in time intelligence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSYEAR(Date[Date]))
Why it's wrong here
PREVIOUSYEAR returns the previous year based on the current context, but it is not appropriate for year-over-year growth as it changes the context to the full prior year.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PREVIOUSYEAR (which returns the entire prior calendar year) with SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR (which returns the same relative period), leading them to choose D when the question requires a period-over-period comparison rather than a full-year comparison.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is a time intelligence function that internally uses DATEADD with -1 YEAR but is optimized for standard date hierarchies and automatically handles irregular date ranges like leap years. It works by taking the set of dates in the current filter context and shifting each date back exactly one year, preserving the same day and month. In real-world scenarios, this function is preferred for YOY calculations because it respects the current filter context (e.g., month, quarter) and avoids the pitfalls of PREVIOUSYEAR, which always returns a full calendar year.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Visualize and analyze the data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Visualize and analyze the data practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PL-300 questions
966 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PL-300 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PL-300 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Prepare the data practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to Prepare the data.
Deploy and maintain assets practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to Deploy and maintain assets.
Model the data practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to Model the data.
Visualize and analyze the data practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to Visualize and analyze the data.
Manage and secure Power BI practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to Manage and secure Power BI.
PL-300 fundamentals practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to PL-300 fundamentals.
PL-300 scenario practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to PL-300 scenario.
PL-300 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PL-300 questions linked to PL-300 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PL-300 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PL-300 question test?
Visualize and analyze the data — This question tests Visualize and analyze the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Sales PY = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR(Date[Date])) — Option C is correct because SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is the most straightforward and reliable DAX function for calculating the previous year's sales when you have a proper date table. It automatically shifts the current filter context back by one year, ensuring that the measure returns the exact same period (e.g., same month and day range) from the prior year, which is ideal for year-over-year growth calculations.
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 →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.