Identifying Inefficient Searches: High CPU for Few Results
This SPLK-1002 practice question tests your understanding of splunk basics and interface navigation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
2018-03-12 14:23:45,123 INFO SearchJobManager - Starting search job: sid=1234567890.1
2018-03-12 14:23:45,456 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'error_count' started
2018-03-12 14:23:50,789 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'error_count' completed: 1000 events scanned, 10 results
2018-03-12 14:23:55,012 WARN SearchJobManager - Search job 'error_count' consumed 80% CPU on search head
2018-03-12 14:24:00,123 INFO SearchJobManager - Starting search job: sid=1234567890.2
2018-03-12 14:24:02,456 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'login_failures' started
2018-03-12 14:24:10,789 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'login_failures' completed: 50000 events scanned, 200 results
2018-03-12 14:24:15,012 INFO SearchJobManager - Search job 'login_failures' consumed 20% CPU
```
The exhibit shows log output from a Splunk search head. What is the most likely performance issue indicated?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
2018-03-12 14:23:45,123 INFO SearchJobManager - Starting search job: sid=1234567890.1
2018-03-12 14:23:45,456 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'error_count' started
2018-03-12 14:23:50,789 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'error_count' completed: 1000 events scanned, 10 results
2018-03-12 14:23:55,012 WARN SearchJobManager - Search job 'error_count' consumed 80% CPU on search head
2018-03-12 14:24:00,123 INFO SearchJobManager - Starting search job: sid=1234567890.2
2018-03-12 14:24:02,456 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'login_failures' started
2018-03-12 14:24:10,789 INFO SearchJobExecutor - Search 'login_failures' completed: 50000 events scanned, 200 results
2018-03-12 14:24:15,012 INFO SearchJobManager - Search job 'login_failures' consumed 20% CPU
```
A
The 'error_count' search is inefficient, consuming high CPU for few results.
80% CPU for 1000 events is excessive.
B
The 'login_failures' search is scanning too many events.
Why wrong: Scanned 50000 events is normal; only 20% CPU.
C
The search head is overloaded due to multiple simultaneous searches.
Why wrong: Only two searches, not overloaded.
D
There are duplicate search job IDs (SIDs) conflicting.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'error_count' search is inefficient, consuming high CPU for few results.
The 'error_count' search is inefficient because it likely uses a large, unoptimized search over many events to produce a small count, consuming high CPU. This is a classic case of a search that scans too much data for minimal output, often due to missing index-time optimizations or using inefficient commands like 'search error_count' without narrowing the time range or using indexed fields.
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.
✓
The 'error_count' search is inefficient, consuming high CPU for few results.
Why this is correct
80% CPU for 1000 events is excessive.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'login_failures' search is scanning too many events.
Why it's wrong here
Scanned 50000 events is normal; only 20% CPU.
✗
The search head is overloaded due to multiple simultaneous searches.
Why it's wrong here
Only two searches, not overloaded.
✗
There are duplicate search job IDs (SIDs) conflicting.
Why it's wrong here
SIDs are different.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In Splunk, a search that scans a large number of events but returns a small number of results is a sign of inefficiency. Such searches often lack proper indexing or use unoptimized commands like 'search' without time bounds. This is a common performance issue tested on the Splunk Core Certified User exam.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Splunk search performance is measured by the ratio of events scanned to results returned; a high ratio indicates inefficiency. The 'error_count' search likely uses a command like 'search error_count | stats count' without leveraging indexed fields (e.g., sourcetype, source) or time-based filtering, causing Splunk to scan all matching events in the index. In contrast, optimized searches use 'tstats' or 'summary indexing' to pre-aggregate counts, reducing CPU and I/O overhead.
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-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
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.
Splunk Basics and Interface Navigation — This question tests Splunk Basics and Interface Navigation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'error_count' search is inefficient, consuming high CPU for few results. — The 'error_count' search is inefficient because it likely uses a large, unoptimized search over many events to produce a small count, consuming high CPU. This is a classic case of a search that scans too much data for minimal output, often due to missing index-time optimizations or using inefficient commands like 'search error_count' without narrowing the time range or using indexed fields.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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