DEA-C02 Performance Optimization Practice Question
A user runs a query twice in succession with no data changes. The second query completes in near-zero time. What feature is responsible for this performance?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates frequently mistake this behavior for warehouse caching or data clustering improvements, failing to identify that the Query Result Cache specifically handles identical SQL executions on unchanged data.
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
✓
Query Result Cache.
The Query Result Cache stores the output of every query for a rolling 24-hour period. When a subsequent query matches the exact SQL text and the underlying data in the source tables has not changed, Snowflake returns the result from the cache. This mechanism avoids the need to spin up compute resources or scan data, providing an instantaneous response for repeated queries, which is a major efficiency feature for frequently accessed reports.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Warehouse Local Cache.
Why it's wrong here
The warehouse local cache stores raw data from micro-partitions. While it helps speed up repeated queries that access the same data, it still requires the query to be parsed and executed. A near-zero execution time indicates a result cache hit, not just a retrieval from the local data cache.
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Metadata Cache.
Why it's wrong here
The metadata cache stores information about table structure, partition counts, and column statistics. It is used for query planning, not for storing the result of a query. While it speeds up the planning phase, it does not allow a query to return a result in near-zero time.
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Query Result Cache.
Why this is correct
The Query Result Cache is specifically designed to store and reuse the output of previously executed queries. When a query is repeated and the data remains unchanged, Snowflake retrieves the result directly, bypassing the execution process entirely and resulting in near-instant performance for the user.
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Search Optimization Service.
Why it's wrong here
The Search Optimization Service is an indexing mechanism for point-lookup queries. It does not store or reuse query result sets. While it speeds up data retrieval, it does not bypass the entire execution engine in the way that the result cache does for identical queries.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every DEA-C02 question from scratch — 229 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Snowflake exam blueprint
This DEA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Snowflake 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 DEA-C02 exam.