Databricks Certified Data Analyst Associate

Last checked October 22, 2026 against the official Databricks exam page.

1. Question 1Analyzing Queries

   A query that powers a dashboard became slow last week. The analyst wants to find which step of the query consumed the most time and whether data was read from storage or from cache. Which tool should the analyst use?

   1. AQuery profile for the statement in the SQL editor or query history
   2. BThe workspace audit log export to a CSV file for the past month
   3. CThe Unity Catalog lineage graph for the table the query reads
   4. DThe warehouse cluster-size setting in the warehouse configuration page
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   Correct answer: A

   Query profile shows the operators in a query, the time each takes, and data read, so the analyst can see the slow step. Audit logs record who did what, lineage shows upstream and downstream dependencies, and the cluster size setting changes capacity rather than explaining the slow step.

2. Question 2Executing Queries Using Databricks SQL and SQL Warehouses

   An analyst wants a saved query that always shows only the active customers, so that colleagues can reuse the logic without copying the filter. Which object should the analyst create?

   1. AA temporary table created in the SQL editor that is refreshed by hand before each report run
   2. BA materialized copy of the customer table exported as CSV to a shared volume each morning
   3. CA view defined over the customer table with a WHERE clause that keeps only active rows
   4. DA dashboard widget with a filter that the analyst must reapply in each session
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   Correct answer: C

   A view stores the query definition, so colleagues can select from it and the filter stays in one place. A temporary table disappears when the session ends and needs manual refresh, a CSV export is a static copy, and a dashboard filter must be reapplied by each user.

3. Question 3Creating Dashboards and Visualizations

   An analyst builds an AI/BI dashboard for executives. Each page must show the same date filter that applies to all charts on the page. Which approach meets this requirement with the least maintenance?

   1. AExport each chart as an image and paste the images into a presentation with the filter typed in
   2. BCreate a separate copy of the dashboard for each chart so that every chart has its own filter
   3. CAsk executives to type the date range into every chart's SQL editor before viewing it
   4. DAdd one dataset-level filter widget and link it to a parameter used by each chart's query
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   Correct answer: D

   A shared filter widget linked to a parameter on each dataset keeps every chart in step with one control. Copying dashboards multiplies maintenance, asking executives to edit SQL is not a usable design, and static images lose the interactivity the requirement asks for.

4. Question 4Securing Data

   A data steward wants a Unity Catalog table to show only rows for the region that the querying user belongs to. Other regions must be hidden without changing the query text that analysts run. Which feature should be used?

   1. AA view that analysts are asked to use only if they remember to filter by their region
   2. BA dashboard filter that users must set themselves each time they open the dashboard
   3. CA row filter function attached to the table that tests the user's group membership
   4. DA separate table for each region that analysts must choose manually in their query
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   Correct answer: C

   A row filter attached to the table applies automatically to every query, so users see only the rows they are allowed to see. Per-region tables require analysts to choose the right one, dashboard filters are optional for users, and a view that people must remember to use does not enforce the rule.

5. Question 5Developing, Sharing, and Maintaining AI/BI Genie Spaces

   A business team wants to ask natural-language questions about sales data without writing SQL. The analyst must limit the answers to a curated set of tables and provide instructions about business terms. Which Databricks feature fits?

   1. AAn AI/BI Genie space configured with the curated tables and instructions for business terms
   2. BA notebook that the business team runs cell by cell whenever it needs an answer
   3. CA Databricks Connect session that each team member starts from a local laptop
   4. DA Delta Live Tables pipeline that writes a new table for every question asked by the team
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   Correct answer: A

   An AI/BI Genie space lets business users ask natural-language questions over a chosen set of tables, with instructions that define terms. A pipeline per question is impractical, a notebook still expects code from users, and Databricks Connect is for developers running code locally.