Quick Answer
The correct DAX measure is CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSMONTH('Date'[Date])). This works because PREVIOUSMONTH returns a contiguous set of dates for the month immediately preceding the last date in the current filter context, and when combined with CALCULATE, it shifts the filter to that complete month period. Since the date dimension is marked as a date table, time intelligence functions like PREVIOUSMONTH are guaranteed to return accurate date ranges, making this the reliable choice for calculating last complete month sales. On the PL-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of time intelligence and filter context—a common trap is using PREVIOUSMONTH without CALCULATE, which would not apply the date filter to the sales sum. Remember that PREVIOUSMONTH always refers to the full prior month, not partial periods, so it naturally gives the last complete month. Memory tip: think of PREVIOUSMONTH as a time machine that takes you back exactly one full calendar month from the most recent date in your data.
This PL-300 practice question tests your understanding of prepare 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.
You have a Power BI data model that contains a fact table and a date dimension. The fact table has a column 'OrderDate' and the date dimension has a column 'Date'. You need to create a measure that calculates the total sales for the last complete month. The date dimension is marked as a date table. What DAX expression should you use?
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), DATESMTD('Date'[Date]))
Why wrong: DATESMTD also returns month-to-date.
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date] = DATE(2023,1,1))
Why wrong: Hardcoded date is not dynamic.
TOTALMTD(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date])
Why wrong: TOTALMTD calculates month-to-date.
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSMONTH('Date'[Date]))
PREVIOUSMONTH returns all dates in the previous month.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSMONTH('Date'[Date]))
Option D is correct because PREVIOUSMONTH returns a set of dates for the previous month relative to the last date in the current filter context. Since the date dimension is marked as a date table, time intelligence functions like PREVIOUSMONTH work correctly. CALCULATE then evaluates SUM(Sales[Amount]) over that month-long period, giving total sales for the last complete month.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), DATESMTD('Date'[Date]))
Why it's wrong here
DATESMTD also returns month-to-date.
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date] = DATE(2023,1,1))
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoded date is not dynamic.
TOTALMTD(SUM(Sales[Amount]), 'Date'[Date])
Why it's wrong here
TOTALMTD calculates month-to-date.
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSMONTH('Date'[Date]))
Why this is correct
PREVIOUSMONTH returns all dates in the previous month.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse month-to-date functions (DATESMTD, TOTALMTD) with functions that return a complete previous month, leading them to select options that calculate partial current month totals instead of the last full month.
Detailed technical explanation
PREVIOUSMONTH relies on the date table being marked as a date table to ensure a continuous date range and correct time intelligence behavior. Under the hood, it shifts the filter context back by one month based on the last date in the current filter context, which is often the max date in the fact table. In real-world scenarios, if the fact table has data only up to a partial current month, PREVIOUSMONTH correctly returns the full prior month without including any incomplete current month data.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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FAQ
Prepare the data — This question tests Prepare the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), PREVIOUSMONTH('Date'[Date])) — Option D is correct because PREVIOUSMONTH returns a set of dates for the previous month relative to the last date in the current filter context. Since the date dimension is marked as a date table, time intelligence functions like PREVIOUSMONTH work correctly. CALCULATE then evaluates SUM(Sales[Amount]) over that month-long period, giving total sales for the last complete month.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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