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NYC Certified IT Administrator (Database)
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
NYC Certified IT Administrator (Database) Examination, designed to reflect the actual DCAS exam
domains. Each question includes a verified answer and a summarized rationale based on NYC-specific
regulations, industry database administration standards, and civil service requirements.
Note on Exam Coverage: This certification is administered by the NYC Department of Citywide
Administrative Services (DCAS) for candidates with professional/vendor certification in database
administration and required experience . The exam covers: SQL Server/Oracle/MySQL administration,
database architecture, backup/disaster recovery (RPO/RTO), performance tuning (indexing, query
optimization), security (encryption, RBAC, NY SHIELD Act), high availability (Always On, clustering,
replication), NYC data governance (FOIL, data sharing agreements, NYC Cyber Command), NoSQL
databases, ETL/SSIS, and troubleshooting .
Domain 1: Database Fundamentals & Architecture (Questions 1–35)
1. An NYC agency is designing a new system to store resident case records. The database must enforce
data integrity, support concurrent users, and provide backup/recovery. Which of the following best
describes the primary purpose of a Database Management System (DBMS) in this context?
A) To manage the operating system's file storage
B) To provide an interface for users to browse the internet
C) To efficiently store, retrieve, and manage data while ensuring security and integrity
D) To compile programming code into executable files
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Correct Answer: C. A DBMS is specialized software designed to store, retrieve, define, and manage data
in a database. It enforces security, concurrency, and integrity constraints .
2. A database administrator is designing a schema for a citywide311 service request system. The data is
organized into tables (requests, departments, locations) with rows and columns and predefined
relationships. This model is called:
A) Hierarchical model
B) Network model
C) Relational model
D) Object-oriented model
Correct Answer: C. The relational model structures data into relations (tables) with tuples (rows) and
attributes (columns), using keys and foreign keys to define relationships .
3. The NYC Department of Finance requires a database to track property tax payments. The primary key
in the Payments table must have which property?
A) Can contain NULL values
B) Must be unique and NOT NULL
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C) Must be a foreign key
D) Can be automatically generated but may repeat
Correct Answer: B. A primary key uniquely identifies each record (row) in a table; therefore, it must
contain unique values and cannot be NULL. This ensures each row can be uniquely addressed .
4. A data architect is normalizing a City database to eliminate data duplication across several tables.
What is the primary goal of normalization?
A) Encrypting data
B) Reducing data redundancy and improving data integrity
C) Increasing storage size
D) Creating more indexes
Correct Answer: B. Normalization is the process of organizing data to minimize redundancy and reduce
the risk of anomalies (insert, update, delete). This improves data integrity .
5. A database contains a table with repeating groups of columns for phone numbers (Phone1, Phone2,
Phone3). Which normal form is being violated?
A) 1NF (First Normal Form)
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B) 2NF
C) 3NF
D) BCNF
Correct Answer: A. First Normal Form (1NF) eliminates repeating groups by ensuring each column
contains atomic (indivisible) values and that there are no repeating columns .
6. A schema in a database defines:
A) The physical storage location of data files
B) The logical structure of the database, including tables, views, indexes, and relationships
C) The backup schedule
D) The number of concurrent users
Correct Answer: B. A schema is the logical blueprint of a database. It defines the structure and
organization of data objects (tables, views, procedures) and their relationships .
7. In the ACID properties of a database transaction, which property ensures that a transaction is treated
as a single, indivisible unit (all or nothing)?
A) Consistency
NYC Certified IT Administrator (Database)
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
NYC Certified IT Administrator (Database) Examination, designed to reflect the actual DCAS exam
domains. Each question includes a verified answer and a summarized rationale based on NYC-specific
regulations, industry database administration standards, and civil service requirements.
Note on Exam Coverage: This certification is administered by the NYC Department of Citywide
Administrative Services (DCAS) for candidates with professional/vendor certification in database
administration and required experience . The exam covers: SQL Server/Oracle/MySQL administration,
database architecture, backup/disaster recovery (RPO/RTO), performance tuning (indexing, query
optimization), security (encryption, RBAC, NY SHIELD Act), high availability (Always On, clustering,
replication), NYC data governance (FOIL, data sharing agreements, NYC Cyber Command), NoSQL
databases, ETL/SSIS, and troubleshooting .
Domain 1: Database Fundamentals & Architecture (Questions 1–35)
1. An NYC agency is designing a new system to store resident case records. The database must enforce
data integrity, support concurrent users, and provide backup/recovery. Which of the following best
describes the primary purpose of a Database Management System (DBMS) in this context?
A) To manage the operating system's file storage
B) To provide an interface for users to browse the internet
C) To efficiently store, retrieve, and manage data while ensuring security and integrity
D) To compile programming code into executable files
, Page 2 of 124
Correct Answer: C. A DBMS is specialized software designed to store, retrieve, define, and manage data
in a database. It enforces security, concurrency, and integrity constraints .
2. A database administrator is designing a schema for a citywide311 service request system. The data is
organized into tables (requests, departments, locations) with rows and columns and predefined
relationships. This model is called:
A) Hierarchical model
B) Network model
C) Relational model
D) Object-oriented model
Correct Answer: C. The relational model structures data into relations (tables) with tuples (rows) and
attributes (columns), using keys and foreign keys to define relationships .
3. The NYC Department of Finance requires a database to track property tax payments. The primary key
in the Payments table must have which property?
A) Can contain NULL values
B) Must be unique and NOT NULL
, Page 3 of 124
C) Must be a foreign key
D) Can be automatically generated but may repeat
Correct Answer: B. A primary key uniquely identifies each record (row) in a table; therefore, it must
contain unique values and cannot be NULL. This ensures each row can be uniquely addressed .
4. A data architect is normalizing a City database to eliminate data duplication across several tables.
What is the primary goal of normalization?
A) Encrypting data
B) Reducing data redundancy and improving data integrity
C) Increasing storage size
D) Creating more indexes
Correct Answer: B. Normalization is the process of organizing data to minimize redundancy and reduce
the risk of anomalies (insert, update, delete). This improves data integrity .
5. A database contains a table with repeating groups of columns for phone numbers (Phone1, Phone2,
Phone3). Which normal form is being violated?
A) 1NF (First Normal Form)
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B) 2NF
C) 3NF
D) BCNF
Correct Answer: A. First Normal Form (1NF) eliminates repeating groups by ensuring each column
contains atomic (indivisible) values and that there are no repeating columns .
6. A schema in a database defines:
A) The physical storage location of data files
B) The logical structure of the database, including tables, views, indexes, and relationships
C) The backup schedule
D) The number of concurrent users
Correct Answer: B. A schema is the logical blueprint of a database. It defines the structure and
organization of data objects (tables, views, procedures) and their relationships .
7. In the ACID properties of a database transaction, which property ensures that a transaction is treated
as a single, indivisible unit (all or nothing)?
A) Consistency
