Relational Databases Exam Questions and Answers

Relational Databases certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Relational Databases exam and earn Relational Databases certificate.

Question 1

Which of these is an essential feature of traditional Database Systems? (Select all that apply.)

A. Concurrency control
B. Automated code execution
C. Data abstraction
D. Multiple views of the Database

Answer

A. Concurrency control
C. Data abstraction
D. Multiple views of the Database

Explanation

Traditional database systems are designed to support concurrency control, allowing multiple users to access data safely at the same time, while data abstraction hides storage details from users. They also provide multiple views of the database, enabling different users to see only the data relevant to their roles. Automated code execution is not a core DBMS feature.

Question 2

What is a Database Management System (DBMS)?

A. A collection of programs enabling users to create and maintain a database
B. A manual record-keeping system for bookstores
C. A computerized catalog used by large libraries
D. A specialized software system for managing graphic design files

Answer

A. A collection of programs enabling users to create and maintain a database

Explanation

A DBMS is a collection of software programs that allows users to define, create, maintain, and control access to a database. It manages data storage, retrieval, updates, security, and integrity, serving as the interface between users/applications and the stored data.

Question 3

What purpose does meta-data serve in a database system?

A. Providing a comprehensive definition of the database structure and constraints
B. Managing user access and authentication
C. Storing actual data entries for quick retrieval
D. Executing application programs specific to a database

Answer

A. Providing a comprehensive definition of the database structure and constraints

Explanation

Meta-data describes the structure of the database, including tables, attributes, relationships, constraints, and data types. It enables the DBMS to understand how data is organized and how rules are enforced, rather than storing actual data values.

Question 4

Which of the following are implicit properties of a database? (Select all that apply.)

A. A database is a logically coherent collection of data with some inherent meaning.
B. A database is designed, built, and populated with data for a specific purpose.
C. A database represents some aspect of the real world, sometimes called the mini-world or the universe of discourse (UoD).
D. A database is a random assortment of data.

Answer

A. A database is a logically coherent collection of data with some inherent meaning.
B. A database is designed, built, and populated with data for a specific purpose.
C. A database represents some aspect of the real world, sometimes called the mini-world or the universe of discourse (UoD).

Explanation

A database is a logically coherent collection of data, built for a specific purpose, and it represents some real-world domain (mini-world or UoD). A random assortment of data does not qualify as a database.

Question 5

Identify the characteristics of the database approach. (Select all that apply.)

A. The related data stays together.
B. The tables need not be related.
C. Some tables seem to represent “transactions/activities.”
D. Some tables seem to represent “entities.”

Answer

A. The related data stays together.
C. Some tables seem to represent “transactions/activities.”
D. Some tables seem to represent “entities.”

Explanation

In the database approach, related data is stored together, with some tables modeling entities (such as students or courses) and others modeling transactions or activities (such as enrollments). Tables are typically related through keys.

Question 6

Which of these is true wrt to Users in a Database? (Select all that apply.)

A. Naive Users use previously well-defined functions against the database.
B. A Casual End User accesses the database occasionally when needed.
C. The End User is accountable for problems such as security breaches.
D. Sophisticated Users are not thoroughly familiar with the system’s capabilities.

Answer

A. Naive Users use previously well-defined functions against the database.
B. A Casual End User accesses the database occasionally when needed.

Explanation

Naive users rely on predefined transactions such as forms or reports, while casual users access the database occasionally using queries. Responsibility for security breaches lies with administrators, not end users, and sophisticated users are usually very familiar with system capabilities.

Question 7

What is a trigger in the context of a Database Management System (DBMS)?

A. A type of stored procedure in a DBMS
B. A rule activated by an event that performs additional operations on other tables
C. A user interface for querying the database
D. A type of constraint that ensures data integrity

Answer

B. A rule activated by an event that performs additional operations on other tables

Explanation

A trigger is a rule automatically executed when a specific event occurs, such as an insert, update, or delete. Triggers are commonly used to enforce business rules or maintain consistency across related tables.

Question 8

Which of these is true wrt to Efficient Query Processing? (Select all that apply.)

A. Data needs to be copied to the main memory for processing.
B. An efficient DBMS benefits from having a buffering or caching module to optimize data retrieval
C. Complex queries always result in faster processing than a simple query, which gives the same result.
D. Indexes are typically based on Tree data structure and Hash data structure.

Answer

A. Data needs to be copied to the main memory for processing.
B. An efficient DBMS benefits from having a buffering or caching module to optimize data retrieval
D. Indexes are typically based on Tree data structure and Hash data structure.

Explanation

Efficient query processing relies on copying required data into main memory, using buffering or caching, and employing indexes based on tree or hash structures. Query complexity does not guarantee faster execution.

Question 9

Which of these is not a responsibility of a Database Administrator (DBA)?

A. Authorize access to the database
B. Perform routine data entry tasks
C. Coordinate and monitor its use
D. Acquires hardware and software as needed

Answer

B. Perform routine data entry tasks

Explanation

Routine data entry is typically performed by end users or applications. A DBA focuses on authorization, monitoring usage, performance tuning, backups, and acquiring necessary hardware and software.

Question 10

Which of the following statements accurately describes efficient query processing? (Select all that apply.)

A. Query processing is slower when databases are stored in main memory.
B. DBMS provides specialized data structures to speed up disk search.
C. Databases are typically stored on disks.
D. Auxiliary files called indexes are often used for the purpose of efficient query processing.

Answer

B. DBMS provides specialized data structures to speed up disk search.
C. Databases are typically stored on disks.
D. Auxiliary files called indexes are often used for the purpose of efficient query processing.

Explanation

Databases are usually stored on disk, and DBMSs use specialized data structures and indexes to reduce disk access and improve performance. Storing data in main memory generally speeds up, not slows down, query processing.

Question 11

Considering the challenges faced in managing complex relationships and optimizing queries, which data model would be most suitable for a university database system that needs to efficiently handle student enrollments, course registrations, and faculty assignments?

A. Relational Model
B. Network Model
C. Hierarchical Model
D. Object-Oriented Data Models

Answer

A. Relational Model

Explanation

The Relational Model is best suited because it efficiently handles complex relationships, supports normalization, and allows powerful querying through SQL, making it ideal for managing students, courses, enrollments, and faculty assignments.

Question 12

Which of these options is true w.r.t NoSQL Databases? (Select all that apply.)

A. Document databases store data in JSON-like format.
B. Key-value stores organize data into columns and rows.
C. Column family stores organize data into key-value pairs.
D. Graph databases are used to represent and store graph structures.

Answer

A. Document databases store data in JSON-like format.
D. Graph databases are used to represent and store graph structures.

Explanation

Document databases store data in JSON-like formats, and graph databases represent data using nodes and relationships. Key-value and column-family descriptions in the other options are incorrect.

Question 13

Which of the following concepts are associated with the Relational Model? (Select all that apply.)

A. Integrity Independence
B. Hierarchical Data Organization
C. Physical Data Independence
D. Centralized Data Management

Answer

A. Integrity Independence
C. Physical Data Independence
D. Centralized Data Management

Explanation

The relational model supports integrity independence, physical data independence, and often centralized data management, allowing changes to storage or constraints without impacting applications.

Question 14

Which characteristic is typically associated with NoSQL databases?

A. Limited scalability
B. Centralized data management
C. Large data volumes
D. ACID transaction properties are always required.

Answer

C. Large data volumes

Explanation

NoSQL databases are designed to handle very large data volumes, often distributed across multiple servers, prioritizing scalability and performance over strict relational constraints.

Question 15

Which of the following accurately describes a characteristic of the Relational Model? (Select all that apply.)

A. The Relational Model ensures both physical and logical data independence.
B. Database structure (catalog) is stored in relational form.
C. All data is stored in the form of relations.
D. Database structure (catalog) is stored separately from the data.

Answer

A. The Relational Model ensures both physical and logical data independence.
B. Database structure (catalog) is stored in relational form.
C. All data is stored in the form of relations.

Explanation

The relational model ensures logical and physical data independence, stores all data as relations (tables), and maintains the catalog (metadata) in relational form, accessible through queries.

Question 16

NoSQL databases have unique characteristics that make them suitable for handling large and diverse data. Which of the following are key characteristics of NoSQL databases? Select all that apply.

A. Horizontal scalability
B. Support for distributed architectures
C. Strict ACID compliance
D. Schema-free data modeling
E. Relational data storage

Answer

A. Horizontal scalability
B. Support for distributed architectures
D. Schema-free data modeling

Explanation

NoSQL databases emphasize horizontal scalability, distributed architectures, and schema-free or flexible data models, making them suitable for large-scale and diverse datasets.

Question 17

What is an advantage of using a database approach for data management?

A. Centralized data storage
B. Data redundancy
C. Isolated data analysis
D. Manual data backups

Answer

A. Centralized data storage

Explanation

A database approach provides centralized data storage, improving data sharing, consistency, security, and administrative control across multiple applications.

Question 18

Which mechanism does a DBMS use to ensure data integrity and consistency during transactions?

A. Database snapshots
B. User access controls
C. Data encryption
D. Transaction logs

Answer

D. Transaction logs

Explanation

Transaction logs record all database changes, enabling recovery and ensuring atomicity and consistency in the event of failures.

Question 19

In relational database design, which of the following best describes the concept of normalization?

A. A technique to speed up data retrieval by indexing database tables.
B. A process to organize a database into tables to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity.
C. A method to ensure that all database transactions are processed reliably and adhere to ACID properties.
D. An approach to replicate data across multiple databases for backup purposes.

Answer

B. A process to organize a database into tables to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity.

Explanation

Normalization is the process of structuring tables to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity, ensuring that each fact is stored in only one place.

Question 20

How does a DBMS simplify application development for universities?

A. By creating a user-friendly interface
B. By providing data structures for student records
C. By reducing the need for data entry personnel
D. By automating course scheduling

Answer

B. By providing data structures for student records

Explanation

A DBMS provides ready-made data structures and services for managing student records, enrollments, and grades, reducing the need for custom data handling logic.

Question 21

Identify the key characteristics of NoSQL databases.

A. Scalability and high availability
B. Handling large volumes of diverse data
C. Support for ACID transactions by default
D. Flexible schema designs
E. Data stored in tables with rows and columns

Answer

A. Scalability and high availability
B. Handling large volumes of diverse data
D. Flexible schema designs

Explanation

NoSQL systems focus on scalability, availability, large and diverse datasets, and flexible schemas, rather than strict relational structures.

Question 22

What is the primary function of a foreign key in a relational database?

A. To index all records for faster retrieval
B. To ensure referential integrity between tables
C. To uniquely identify each record in a table
D. To store large binary objects

Answer

B. To ensure referential integrity between tables

Explanation

A foreign key enforces referential integrity by ensuring that relationships between tables remain consistent.

Question 23

What were the limitations of early database models that relational databases addressed?

A. Inability to store large volumes of data
B. Lack of support for complex data relationships
C. No support for data transactions
D. Data stored without any structure

Answer

B. Lack of support for complex data relationships

Explanation

Early models struggled with complex relationships, which the relational model addressed through tables, keys, and joins.

Question 24

Which of the following are advantages of using a database approach?

A. Complex data retrieval process
B. Enhanced data integrity
C. Data redundancy reduction
D. Improved data sharing
E. Decreased data security

Answer

B. Enhanced data integrity
C. Data redundancy reduction
D. Improved data sharing

Explanation

Databases improve data integrity, reduce redundancy, and enhance data sharing across multiple users and applications.

Question 25

Which of the following best describes how a DBMS simplifies application development and data management?

A. A DBMS provides an interface for data storage, retrieval, and management.
B. A DBMS eliminates the need for database administrators.
C. A DBMS stores data in a single file on the server.
D. A DBMS automatically creates applications for data manipulation.

Answer

A. A DBMS provides an interface for data storage, retrieval, and management.

Explanation

A DBMS provides a standardized interface for data storage, retrieval, and management, allowing developers to focus on application logic.

Question 26

In relational databases, what does normalization aim to achieve?

A. Encrypting sensitive information
B. Eliminating data redundancy
C. Simplifying user queries
D. Speeding up data retrieval processes

Answer

B. Eliminating data redundancy

Explanation

Normalization primarily aims at eliminating data redundancy to maintain consistency and integrity.

Question 27

In a university database, what is the relationship between students, courses, sections, and grades?

A. Students enroll in courses, which are divided into sections, and receive grades for their performance.
B. Courses are independently designed without sections or grades.
C. Students choose grades which determine their course and section.
D. Grades are assigned without considering course sections.

Answer

A. Students enroll in courses, which are divided into sections, and receive grades for their performance.

Explanation

Students enroll in courses, courses are divided into sections, and students receive grades based on performance in those sections.

Question 28

Identify the advantages of databases over file-based systems. Select all that apply.

A. Concurrent access is managed efficiently.
B. Requires less computational resources.
C. Data redundancy is reduced.
D. Provides instant automatic backups.
E. Data integrity is improved.

Answer

A. Concurrent access is managed efficiently.
C. Data redundancy is reduced.
E. Data integrity is improved.

Explanation

Databases support efficient concurrency control, reduced redundancy, and improved data integrity compared to file systems.

Question 29

Which SQL statement is used to remove a table from a database?

A. REMOVE TABLE
B. CLEAR TABLE
C. DELETE TABLE
D. DROP TABLE

Answer

D. DROP TABLE

Explanation

DROP TABLE permanently removes a table and its structure from the database.

Question 30

Answer

Explanation

SQL enables efficient data manipulation, supports multi-user access control, and works with DBMS transaction mechanisms that support ACID properties.