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.
You need to create a measure that calculates year-over-year growth percentage. Which DAX function should you use?
DATEADD
Why wrong: DATEADD can shift dates but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is more straightforward for YoY.
DATESYTD
Why wrong: DATESYTD calculates year-to-date, not YoY comparison.
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
This function returns the same period in the prior year, ideal for YoY.
PARALLELPERIOD
Why wrong: PARALLELPERIOD shifts by a specified interval but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is more precise.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
The SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR function returns a set of dates shifted one year back in time, which is exactly what you need to compare current period values with the prior year for year-over-year growth calculations. By using SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR in a measure like `DIVIDE(SUM(Sales[Amount]) - CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR('Date'[Date])), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR('Date'[Date])))`, you get the percentage change. This function is specifically designed for year-over-year comparisons and works correctly with contiguous date ranges.
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.
DATEADD
Why it's wrong here
DATEADD can shift dates but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is more straightforward for YoY.
DATESYTD
Why it's wrong here
DATESYTD calculates year-to-date, not YoY comparison.
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
Why this is correct
This function returns the same period in the prior year, ideal for YoY.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
PARALLELPERIOD
Why it's wrong here
PARALLELPERIOD shifts by a specified interval but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is more precise.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose DATEADD or PARALLELPERIOD because they seem more flexible, but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is the only function that guarantees a direct, contiguous year-over-year comparison without requiring manual interval specification or risking misaligned periods.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR uses the existing date column and applies a -1 year shift to each date, returning a table of dates that maintains the same day and month but with the year decremented. This function relies on a proper date table with continuous dates; if there are gaps (e.g., missing weekends or holidays), the shifted dates may not exist, causing blank results. In real-world scenarios, using SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR with a fiscal calendar requires the date table to have a fiscal year column, and the function still works because it shifts by calendar year, not fiscal year.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Visualize and analyze the data — This question tests Visualize and analyze the data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR — The SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR function returns a set of dates shifted one year back in time, which is exactly what you need to compare current period values with the prior year for year-over-year growth calculations. By using SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR in a measure like `DIVIDE(SUM(Sales[Amount]) - CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR('Date'[Date])), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR('Date'[Date])))`, you get the percentage change. This function is specifically designed for year-over-year comparisons and works correctly with contiguous date ranges.
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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