- A
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]))
Why wrong: Does not filter salespeople with sales in current month.
- B
SUMX(FILTER(Salespeople, CALCULATE(COUNTROWS(Sales), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)) > 0), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region])))
Correctly iterates over salespeople who have at least one sale in the current month and sums their sales for the current region.
- C
SUMX(Salespeople, CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)))
Why wrong: Sums for all salespeople but only sales in current month; does not filter salespeople without sales.
- D
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1))
Why wrong: Filters sales by current month but does not ensure salesperson has at least one sale in that month (all salespeople with any sale in the month are included).
Quick Answer
The correct DAX expression is the one that uses SUMX with a FILTER on the Salespeople table, combined with CALCULATE and COUNTROWS to check for sales in the current month. This works because the FILTER iterates over each salesperson and evaluates whether they have at least one sale in the current month using a virtual CALCULATE that shifts context, and only those who pass are summed by SUMX. On the PL-300 exam, this tests your understanding of context transition and iterator functions—a common trap is forgetting that FILTER requires a row-by-row evaluation, so a simple SUM without the salesperson filter will include everyone, not just active sellers. To remember, think of it as a two-step filter: first isolate the month’s active salespeople, then sum their regional amounts. A helpful mnemonic is “FILTER first, SUMX second” to avoid the trap of summing all sales directly.
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.
You have a Power BI model with a table 'Sales' that contains columns: Date, SalespersonID, and Amount. You have a 'Salespeople' table with columns: SalespersonID, Name, and Region. You need to create a measure that calculates the total sales amount for the current region, but only for salespeople who have made at least one sale in the current month. Which DAX expression achieves this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
SUMX(FILTER(Salespeople, CALCULATE(COUNTROWS(Sales), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)) > 0), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region])))
Option C is correct because it filters Salespeople to those who have sales in the current month, then uses SUMX to sum over that filtered table. Option A is wrong because it sums directly without checking sales. Option B is wrong because it sums all sales without the salesperson filter. Option D is wrong because it uses an inappropriate filter.
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.
- ✗
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]))
Why it's wrong here
Does not filter salespeople with sales in current month.
- ✓
SUMX(FILTER(Salespeople, CALCULATE(COUNTROWS(Sales), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)) > 0), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region])))
Why this is correct
Correctly iterates over salespeople who have at least one sale in the current month and sums their sales for the current region.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
SUMX(Salespeople, CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)))
Why it's wrong here
Sums for all salespeople but only sales in current month; does not filter salespeople without sales.
- ✗
CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1))
Why it's wrong here
Filters sales by current month but does not ensure salesperson has at least one sale in that month (all salespeople with any sale in the month are included).
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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: SUMX(FILTER(Salespeople, CALCULATE(COUNTROWS(Sales), Sales[Date] >= DATE(YEAR(TODAY()), MONTH(TODAY()), 1)) > 0), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Salespeople[Region] = SELECTEDVALUE(Salespeople[Region]))) — Option C is correct because it filters Salespeople to those who have sales in the current month, then uses SUMX to sum over that filtered table. Option A is wrong because it sums directly without checking sales. Option B is wrong because it sums all sales without the salesperson filter. Option D is wrong because it uses an inappropriate filter.
What should I do if I get this PL-300 question wrong?
Identify which PL-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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 21, 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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