The answer is `| stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user | sort - total_bytes | head 5`. This search is correct because it uses the `stats` command with the `sum()` function to aggregate the total bytes per user, then applies `sort - total_bytes` to arrange the results from highest to lowest, and finally `head 5` to keep only the top five users. On the Splunk Core Certified Power User SPLK-1003 exam, this question tests your ability to combine aggregation, sorting, and limiting results in a single pipeline—a common scenario for reporting on top contributors. A frequent trap is forgetting the minus sign in `sort - total_bytes`, which would sort in ascending order and give you the lowest instead of the highest. Remember the mnemonic "Stats, Sort, Slice": first aggregate with stats, then sort descending with a minus, then slice with head to get your top N.
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.
An analyst wants to find the top 5 users who have the highest total bytes transferred. The data has fields 'user' and 'bytes'. Which search should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
| stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user | sort - total_bytes | head 5
Option B is correct because it uses `stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user` to aggregate the total bytes transferred per user, then sorts the results in descending order with `sort - total_bytes`, and finally limits the output to the top 5 users with `head 5`. This directly answers the requirement for the highest total bytes transferred.
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.
✗
| stats max(bytes) as max_bytes by user | sort - max_bytes | head 5
Why it's wrong here
This shows maximum bytes, not total bytes.
✓
| stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user | sort - total_bytes | head 5
Why this is correct
This correctly sums bytes per user, sorts descending, and takes top 5.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
| sort - bytes | head 5 | table user, bytes
Why it's wrong here
This shows the top 5 events by bytes, not aggregated by user.
✗
| top limit=5 user
Why it's wrong here
top command shows the most frequent values, not sum of bytes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `max` with `sum` for total calculations, or mistakenly think sorting raw events and taking the top 5 yields user-level totals, when in fact aggregation by user is required first.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows maximum bytes, not total bytes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `stats` command in Splunk operates on a streaming basis but requires a `by` clause to group results; `sum()` is an aggregation function that adds all numeric values in the field for each group. Sorting with a leading minus sign (`sort - total_bytes`) performs a descending sort, and `head 5` is a streaming command that stops processing after the first 5 results, which is efficient for large datasets. In real-world scenarios, such as network traffic analysis, using `sum(bytes)` ensures accurate bandwidth usage per user, while `max(bytes)` would only show peak transfer size.
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: | stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user | sort - total_bytes | head 5 — Option B is correct because it uses `stats sum(bytes) as total_bytes by user` to aggregate the total bytes transferred per user, then sorts the results in descending order with `sort - total_bytes`, and finally limits the output to the top 5 users with `head 5`. This directly answers the requirement for the highest total bytes transferred.
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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