Tableau & BI Tools test (Intermediate)

Sample questions

5 sample questions from the Tableau & BI Tools test, with the answers. Samples are taken out of the live test, so you will not meet these when you sit it.

1. What will happen when you create a scatter plot in Tableau with 'Sales' on the x-axis, 'Profit' on the y-axis, and 'Region' as the color dimension?

   1. The scatter plot will show data points grouped by the values in the 'Region' dimension, with clusters forming based on the distribution of 'Sales' and 'Profit' within each region.
   2. The scatter plot will display all data points as a single cluster since the 'Region' dimension is not applied to the visualization.
   3. The scatter plot will show data points grouped by the values in the 'Sales' measure, with clusters forming based on the distribution of 'Profit' within each sales range.
   4. The scatter plot will show data points scattered randomly without any clustering, as the 'Region' dimension is not relevant to the 'Sales' and 'Profit' measures.

   Answer: A. The scatter plot will show data points grouped by the values in the 'Region' dimension, with clusters forming based on the distribution of 'Sales' and 'Profit' within each region.

   In Tableau, when you use a dimension (like 'Region') to color or partition data points on a scatter plot, the software automatically clusters the points based on the values in that dimension. This clustering helps visualize how different groups (e.g., regions) are distributed in terms of the measures used on the x and y axes (e.g., 'Sales' and 'Profit').

2. Which of the following statements accurately describes how the 'Go to Sheet' action is triggered in Tableau storytelling?

   1. The 'Go to Sheet' action is automatically applied to all sheets in a dashboard.
   2. The 'Go to Sheet' action can only be triggered by clicking on a button.
   3. The 'Go to Sheet' action is triggered by selecting a specific data point in a visualization.
   4. The 'Go to Sheet' action is only available in Tableau Public and not in Tableau Desktop.

   Answer: C. The 'Go to Sheet' action is triggered by selecting a specific data point in a visualization.

   In Tableau, the 'Go to Sheet' action is used to navigate to another sheet based on user interaction, typically by selecting a specific data point. This allows for a more interactive and guided storytelling experience. The other options are incorrect because they either describe different actions or misunderstand how sheet linking works in Tableau.

3. A user reports that their running total table calculation is not behaving as expected. What is the most likely cause of this issue?

   1. The data source filter was applied before the table calculation.
   2. The Compute Using setting was incorrect, leading to the running total being calculated across the wrong dimension.
   3. The table calculation was used in a dual-axis chart without synchronizing the axes.
   4. A FIXED LOD expression was used instead of an INCLUDE LOD expression.

   Answer: B. The Compute Using setting was incorrect, leading to the running total being calculated across the wrong dimension.

   A running total that does not behave as expected is often caused by an incorrect 'Compute Using' setting. This setting determines the direction and dimensionality of the calculation, and if it is not set correctly, the result can be misleading or incorrect. Other options are either unrelated or do not directly address the most common cause of such issues.

4. A user created a RUNNING_SUM table calculation to compute a running total over time, but the result is incorrect. What is the most likely reason for this issue?

   1. The running total will be incorrect because the Compute Using setting was not set to the correct dimension.
   2. The running total will be incorrect because the calculation is missing a FIXED LOD expression.
   3. The running total will be incorrect because the data source is using an extract instead of a live connection.
   4. The running total will be incorrect because the calculation is not an aggregate.

   Answer: A. The running total will be incorrect because the Compute Using setting was not set to the correct dimension.

   When using table calculations like RUNNING_SUM, the 'Compute Using' setting determines how the calculation is partitioned and addressed. If the Compute Using setting is not set to the correct dimension (e.g., a time dimension for a running total over time), the result will be incorrect. Other options are not directly related to the Compute Using setting, which is critical for accurate table calculations.

5. In Tableau, when creating a heat map, how does the color scale typically map to the data values?

   1. The color scale maps to the size of the data points, with larger points representing higher values and smaller points representing lower values.
   2. The color scale maps to the proximity of the data points to the center of the heat map, with colors becoming lighter as the points move outward.
   3. The color scale maps to the intensity of the data value, with lighter colors representing higher values and darker colors representing lower values.
   4. The color scale maps to the angle of the data points, with colors rotating based on the value's direction.

   Answer: C. The color scale maps to the intensity of the data value, with lighter colors representing higher values and darker colors representing lower values.

   In Tableau, heat maps use a color scale to represent data values, with the intensity of the color reflecting the magnitude of the value. Lighter colors typically indicate higher values, while darker colors indicate lower values. This is a common behavior in Tableau heat maps and is not affected by the angle of the data points, as the question specifies.