The answer is `index=web | stats avg(duration) by url_path`. This is correct because the `stats` command with a `by` clause calculates the average of the `duration` field for each distinct value of `url_path`, effectively grouping the data by URL path before applying the aggregation. On the Splunk Core Certified User SPLK-1002 exam, this tests your understanding of how `stats` with `by` creates per-group results, a common requirement for analyzing web server logs. A frequent trap is forgetting the `by` clause, which would return a single overall average instead of per-path averages. To remember, think of `by` as the "grouping key" that splits your data into buckets before the aggregation function runs. A useful memory tip: "Stats with 'by' means 'average for each' — without it, you get 'average for all'."
SPLK-1002 Basic Searching and Transforming Commands Practice Question
This SPLK-1002 practice question tests your understanding of basic searching and transforming commands. 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 team needs to calculate the average response time for each URL path from web server logs. The response time is in a field 'duration'. Which search is correct?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
index=web | stats avg(duration) by url_path
Option D is correct because the `stats avg(duration) by url_path` command computes the average of the 'duration' field for each distinct value of 'url_path', exactly matching the requirement to calculate average response time per URL path. The `stats` command with a `by` clause groups results by the specified field and applies the aggregation function to each group.
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=web | timechart avg(duration) by url_path
Why it's wrong here
timechart adds time dimension, not needed.
✗
index=web | chart avg(duration) by url_path
Why it's wrong here
chart can be used but stats is more common for this.
✗
index=web | eval avg_duration=avg(duration) | stats by url_path
Why it's wrong here
eval avg(duration) is invalid as avg cannot be used in eval.
✓
index=web | stats avg(duration) by url_path
Why this is correct
stats correctly computes average per group.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `stats` with `chart` or `timechart`, or incorrectly try to use `eval` for aggregation, not realizing that `eval` operates on individual events and cannot compute summary statistics across groups.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `stats` command in Splunk uses a map-reduce-like execution model: it first groups events by the `by` field (here `url_path`) and then applies the aggregation function (`avg`) to the `duration` field within each group. This is distinct from `chart` and `timechart`, which are designed for tabular or time-series output and may introduce additional overhead or formatting. In real-world scenarios, using `stats` is preferred for simple grouped aggregations because it returns clean, minimal results that can be easily exported or further processed.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — This question tests Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: index=web | stats avg(duration) by url_path — Option D is correct because the `stats avg(duration) by url_path` command computes the average of the 'duration' field for each distinct value of 'url_path', exactly matching the requirement to calculate average response time per URL path. The `stats` command with a `by` clause groups results by the specified field and applies the aggregation function to each group.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1002 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user needs to create a report showing the average response time per endpoint for the last hour. Which command would produce this result?
medium
A.chart avg(response_time) over endpoint
B.eval avg(response_time)
C.top endpoint
✓ D.stats avg(response_time) by endpoint
Why D: Option D is correct because the `stats` command with `avg(response_time) by endpoint` calculates the average response time for each unique endpoint, which directly meets the requirement of showing average response time per endpoint for the last hour. The `stats` command is the standard way to compute aggregate statistics like average over grouped fields in Splunk.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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