SPLK-1002 Advanced Searching and Statistics Practice Question
Exhibit
index=main sourcetype=linux_secure "Failed password" | stats count by user | sort -count | head 5
Refer to the exhibit. What is the result of this search?
⚠ Common exam trap
Splunk often tests the default behavior of the `top` command—specifically that it sorts by count descending and limits results to 10—and candidates mistakenly think it returns all values or sorts alphabetically, or they overlook the `limit=5` override.
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
✓
A table of users and their total counts, sorted by count descending, limited to 5 rows.
The search uses the `top` command, which by default returns the most common values of a field sorted by count in descending order, limited to 10 results. The `limit=5` parameter overrides the default to return only the top 5 users. The `countfield` option renames the count column to 'total', and the `showcount=f` hides the percent column, producing a table of users and their total counts sorted by count descending, limited to 5 rows.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A list of all users sorted by count ascending.
Why it's wrong here
The head limits to 5, and sort is descending.
- ✗
The first 5 events with failed password.
Why it's wrong here
The events are aggregated; it's not a list of raw events.
- ✓
A table of users and their total counts, sorted by count descending, limited to 5 rows.
Why this is correct
This accurately describes the output of the search.
- ✗
The top 5 users by username alphabetically.
Why it's wrong here
The sort is by count descending, not alphabetically.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SPLK-1002 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-1002 exam.