Quick Answer
The answer is 3. This is correct because the `dedup` command with a specified field removes duplicate events based on that field’s value, keeping only the first occurrence of each unique value. In this search, even though there are 15 total events, the field in question contains only 3 distinct values, so `dedup` outputs exactly those 3 unique events. On the Splunk Core Certified User SPLK-1002 exam, this tests your understanding of how `dedup` command behavior differs from simply counting events—a common trap is assuming `dedup` removes all duplicates across multiple fields or that it counts events after deduplication, but it strictly retains the first instance per unique field value. To remember this, think of `dedup` as a filter that collapses a dataset down to its distinct categories, not a count of total rows. A helpful memory tip: “Dedup drops duplicates, keeping one per unique—so the output count equals the number of unique field values, not the original event total.”
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.
Refer to the exhibit.
| makeresults count=5
| eval user = mvappend("alice","bob","charlie")
| mvexpand user
| stats count by userHow many events will be output by this search?
Refer to the exhibit.
| makeresults count=5
| eval user = mvappend("alice","bob","charlie")
| mvexpand user
| stats count by user15
Why wrong: This is before stats aggregation.
3
stats count by user produces one event per distinct user.
5
Why wrong: After mvexpand, events multiply.
1
Why wrong: All users are separate.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
3
The search uses the `dedup` command with a field name, which removes duplicate events based on that field. With 15 total events but only 3 unique values in the specified field, `dedup` keeps the first occurrence of each unique value, outputting exactly 3 events.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
15
Why it's wrong here
This is before stats aggregation.
3
Why this is correct
stats count by user produces one event per distinct user.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
5
Why it's wrong here
After mvexpand, events multiply.
1
Why it's wrong here
All users are separate.
Common exam traps
Splunk often tests the misconception that `dedup` counts all events or that it operates on the total event count rather than the number of unique field values, leading candidates to pick the total event count (15) instead of the correct unique count (3).
Detailed technical explanation
The `dedup` command in Splunk works by comparing the specified field values across events, keeping only the first occurrence of each unique value and discarding subsequent duplicates. Under the hood, it uses a hash table to track seen values, and the order of events is determined by the search pipeline (e.g., index time or any prior sorting). In real-world scenarios, this is critical for reducing noise in log analysis, such as keeping only the first login event per user from a stream of repeated authentication attempts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SPLK-1002 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
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FAQ
Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — This question tests Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 3 — The search uses the `dedup` command with a field name, which removes duplicate events based on that field. With 15 total events but only 3 unique values in the specified field, `dedup` keeps the first occurrence of each unique value, outputting exactly 3 events.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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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