COF-C03 Practice Question: Snowflake AI Data Cloud Features and Architecture
A user runs a query that was executed by another user 10 minutes ago, and the underlying data has not changed. The query returns results instantly without using a virtual warehouse. Which Snowflake feature explains this behavior?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the query result cache with the warehouse local disk cache, which requires a running warehouse and stores data, not results.
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
✓
The query result cache stored in the Cloud Services layer.
The query result cache is a Cloud Services feature that persists query results for 24 hours. When an identical query is re-executed and the underlying data remains unchanged, Snowflake serves the cached result directly, bypassing warehouse computation and delivering sub-second response times.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The metadata cache in the Cloud Services layer.
Why it's wrong here
The metadata cache stores information about micro-partitions and statistics, not query results. It helps with pruning and optimization but does not return final result sets. The scenario describes instant results for an identical query, which points to the result cache, not metadata. This option confuses metadata caching with result caching.
- ✗
The materialized view automatically created for the query.
Why it's wrong here
Snowflake does not automatically create materialized views for ad-hoc queries. Materialized views must be explicitly created and are used for specific pre-computed aggregations. The scenario does not mention any materialized view, and automatic creation is not a feature. This option incorrectly assumes automatic materialization.
- ✗
The local disk cache on the virtual warehouse.
Why it's wrong here
The local disk cache (warehouse cache) stores data files retrieved from remote storage and is tied to a running warehouse. If the warehouse is suspended, the cache is lost. In this scenario, the query returns instantly without using a warehouse, so the local disk cache cannot be the reason. This option misidentifies the caching layer.
- ✓
The query result cache stored in the Cloud Services layer.
Why this is correct
The query result cache in Cloud Services stores the results of every query for 24 hours. If an identical query is run and the underlying data has not changed, Snowflake returns the cached result without provisioning a warehouse. This explains the instant response and zero warehouse usage, as the cache is independent of virtual warehouses.
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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 COF-C03 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 COF-C03 exam.