- A
`index=main | stats perc95(response_time) by service`
Why wrong: The function `perc95` is not valid; it should be `perc95` (no underscore) but also this gives incorrect aggregation as stats applies to each bucket incorrectly.
- B
`index=main | timechart perc95(response_time) by service`
Why wrong: `timechart` splits into time buckets, not appropriate for a single percentile per service over the whole time range.
- C
`index=main | eventstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats values(p95) as p95 by service`
Correctly calculates the 95th percentile per service using eventstats and then collapses to one value per service.
- D
`index=main | streamstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats latest(p95) as p95 by service`
Why wrong: `streamstats` computes a running percentile, not the overall percentile; latest(p95) is not the correct aggregate.
Quick Answer
The answer is `index=main | eventstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats values(p95) as p95 by service` because it calculates the 95th percentile per service across the entire hour’s data in a single pass without time-based bucketing. The `eventstats` command computes the percentile over all events in the result set and appends the result as a new field to each event, while the subsequent `stats values(p95) by service` collapses those identical values into one row per service, ensuring both accuracy and efficiency. On the Splunk Core Certified Power User SPLK-1003 exam, this question tests your understanding of when to use `eventstats` versus `stats` or `timechart`—a common trap is reaching for `timechart perc95` which would incorrectly bucket by time, not by service. Remember the memory tip: “eventstats adds, stats reduces” — eventstats enriches every event with the percentile, then stats deduplicates the result.
SPLK-1003 Advanced Searching and Statistics Practice Question
This SPLK-1003 practice question tests your understanding of advanced searching and statistics. 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.
A developer needs to calculate the 95th percentile of response times for each service over the past hour. The data has fields: service, response_time. Which search achieves this correctly and efficiently?
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
`index=main | eventstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats values(p95) as p95 by service`
Option C is correct because `eventstats` computes the 95th percentile per service across all events in the result set, adding the value as a new field to each event, and then `stats values(p95) by service` collapses the identical values into a single row per service. This avoids the overhead of time-based bucketing and ensures the percentile is calculated over the entire hour's data in one pass, making it both accurate and efficient.
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.
- ✗
`index=main | stats perc95(response_time) by service`
Why it's wrong here
The function `perc95` is not valid; it should be `perc95` (no underscore) but also this gives incorrect aggregation as stats applies to each bucket incorrectly.
- ✗
`index=main | timechart perc95(response_time) by service`
Why it's wrong here
`timechart` splits into time buckets, not appropriate for a single percentile per service over the whole time range.
- ✓
`index=main | eventstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats values(p95) as p95 by service`
Why this is correct
Correctly calculates the 95th percentile per service using eventstats and then collapses to one value per service.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
`index=main | streamstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats latest(p95) as p95 by service`
Why it's wrong here
`streamstats` computes a running percentile, not the overall percentile; latest(p95) is not the correct aggregate.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Splunk often tests the distinction between `eventstats` (global aggregation appended to events) and `streamstats` (running aggregation per event), and candidates mistakenly choose `streamstats` thinking it computes a final percentile, when it actually produces a cumulative value that changes with each event.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `eventstats` command is a non-streaming, map-reduce operation that calculates aggregate statistics (like `perc95`) across all events in the search result, then appends the result as a new field to each event. This is distinct from `streamstats`, which is a streaming command that updates the calculation incrementally per event. In Splunk, percentile calculations use the T-Digest algorithm by default for efficiency, but `exactperc95` forces an exact computation; for large datasets, the approximate method is often sufficient and faster.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 practitioner preparing for the SPLK-1003 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Advanced Searching and Statistics — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SPLK-1003 question test?
Advanced Searching and Statistics — This question tests Advanced Searching and Statistics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: `index=main | eventstats perc95(response_time) as p95 by service | stats values(p95) as p95 by service` — Option C is correct because `eventstats` computes the 95th percentile per service across all events in the result set, adding the value as a new field to each event, and then `stats values(p95) by service` collapses the identical values into a single row per service. This avoids the overhead of time-based bucketing and ensures the percentile is calculated over the entire hour's data in one pass, making it both accurate and efficient.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1003 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 30, 2026
This SPLK-1003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Splunk 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 SPLK-1003 exam.
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