- A
Use calculated columns to perform all transformations.
Why wrong: Calculated columns are evaluated at query time and can slow down performance; transformations should be done in Power Query when possible.
- B
Set all relationships to bidirectional cross-filtering to avoid ambiguity.
Why wrong: Bidirectional filtering can cause performance issues and ambiguous filtering; use only when necessary.
- C
Use surrogate keys (integer IDs) for relationships instead of natural keys.
Surrogate keys improve join performance and reduce model size.
- D
Reference other queries as a single source to avoid duplication.
Why wrong: Referencing queries is common for reusability, but it can lead to performance issues if overused; best practice is to use a single source table.
- E
Design the model with a star schema layout (fact and dimension tables).
Star schema optimizes performance and simplifies DAX calculations.
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.
Which TWO of the following are best practices for designing a data model in Power BI?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Use surrogate keys (integer IDs) for relationships instead of natural keys.
Option C is correct because using surrogate keys (integer IDs) instead of natural keys improves relationship performance and reduces storage overhead. Integer joins are faster than string or composite key joins, and surrogate keys avoid issues with changing natural key values, ensuring referential integrity and stable model relationships.
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.
- ✗
Use calculated columns to perform all transformations.
Why it's wrong here
Calculated columns are evaluated at query time and can slow down performance; transformations should be done in Power Query when possible.
- ✗
Set all relationships to bidirectional cross-filtering to avoid ambiguity.
Why it's wrong here
Bidirectional filtering can cause performance issues and ambiguous filtering; use only when necessary.
- ✓
Use surrogate keys (integer IDs) for relationships instead of natural keys.
Why this is correct
Surrogate keys improve join performance and reduce model size.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reference other queries as a single source to avoid duplication.
Why it's wrong here
Referencing queries is common for reusability, but it can lead to performance issues if overused; best practice is to use a single source table.
- ✓
Design the model with a star schema layout (fact and dimension tables).
Why this is correct
Star schema optimizes performance and simplifies DAX calculations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'best practice' with 'always possible'—they may choose bidirectional filtering (B) because it seems flexible, or calculated columns (A) because they are easy, but the exam tests understanding of performance and maintainability trade-offs in large-scale models.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Power BI's VertiPaq engine stores integer columns as compressed dictionaries, making joins on surrogate keys extremely efficient. Natural keys (e.g., text or composite columns) require larger dictionaries and slower hash matching. In a star schema, surrogate keys in dimension tables link to fact tables, enabling fast aggregations and avoiding the need to update multiple rows when a natural key changes (e.g., a customer's email address).
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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 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: Use surrogate keys (integer IDs) for relationships instead of natural keys. — Option C is correct because using surrogate keys (integer IDs) instead of natural keys improves relationship performance and reduces storage overhead. Integer joins are faster than string or composite key joins, and surrogate keys avoid issues with changing natural key values, ensuring referential integrity and stable model relationships.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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: 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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