The answer is to add `| where count > 100` after the stats command. This is correct because the `stats count by user` command aggregates raw events into a statistical summary, creating a new field called `count` that holds the number of failures per user. The `where` command then evaluates this newly created field in the result set, allowing you to filter after stats—exactly what the search intent "filtering after stats" describes. On the Splunk SPLK-1003 exam, this tests your understanding of the search pipeline order: you must aggregate first with `stats`, then filter the aggregated results with `where`. A common trap is using `search count>100` before stats, which fails because `count` doesn't exist yet. Remember the memory tip: "Stats first, where last—aggregate, then gate."
SPLK-1003 Advanced Searching and Statistics Practice Question
This SPLK-1003 practice question tests your understanding of advanced searching and statistics. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 security team runs a search to count login failures per user over the last 24 hours: `index=security action=failure | stats count by user`. The results show counts, but some users have extremely high counts due to a brute force attack. The team wants to identify users with a count greater than 100. What should they do to get the desired list?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add `| where count > 100` after the stats command.
Option B is correct because the `stats count by user` command creates a field called `count` that holds the number of login failures per user. Adding `| where count > 100` after the stats command filters the results to show only users whose count exceeds 100. The `where` command evaluates field values in the current results, making it the appropriate tool for this post-aggregation 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.
✗
Use `| top limit=100 user` to get the top 100 users.
Why it's wrong here
This returns the top 100 users regardless of count, not those with count > 100.
✓
Add `| where count > 100` after the stats command.
Why this is correct
Correctly filters the stats results by the count field.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add `| where count > 100` before the stats command.
Why it's wrong here
The count field does not exist before stats.
✗
Use `| filter count > 100` after the stats command.
Why it's wrong here
filter is not a valid Splunk command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Splunk often tests the distinction between filtering before aggregation (using `search` or `where` on raw events) versus filtering after aggregation (using `where` on computed fields), and candidates mistakenly place the filter before `stats` or use a nonexistent command like `filter`.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
filter is not a valid Splunk command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `stats` command in Splunk aggregates events and creates new fields like `count` in the output. The `where` command operates on these computed fields, allowing threshold-based filtering. A common real-world scenario is detecting brute-force attacks by filtering aggregated counts, but note that `where` can be slower on large datasets because it processes all results; using a `search` time filter (e.g., `index=security action=failure | stats count by user | where count > 100`) is efficient because it reduces the result set after aggregation.
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.
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: Add `| where count > 100` after the stats command. — Option B is correct because the `stats count by user` command creates a field called `count` that holds the number of login failures per user. Adding `| where count > 100` after the stats command filters the results to show only users whose count exceeds 100. The `where` command evaluates field values in the current results, making it the appropriate tool for this post-aggregation filter.
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.
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Question Discussion
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