This post is a part of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections:
Model the data (25–30%)
   --> Create model calculations by using DAX
      --> Implement Time Intelligence Measures

Below are 10 practice questions (with answers and explanations) for this topic of the exam.
There are also 2 practice tests for the PL-300 exam with 60 questions each (with answers) available on the hub.

Practice Questions

Question 1

Which requirement must be met for built-in DAX time intelligence functions to work correctly?

A. The fact table must contain a datetime column
B. The date column must be sorted by another column
C. A continuous, marked date table must exist
D. Measures must be created as calculated columns

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Built-in time intelligence functions require a continuous date table that is explicitly marked as a Date table. Missing dates or unmarked tables cause incorrect or blank results.

Question 2

Which measure correctly calculates Year-to-Date (YTD) sales?

A.

Sales YTD = SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])

B.

Sales YTD = DATESYTD(Sales[Date])

C.

Sales YTD =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    DATESYTD(Date[Date])
)

D.

Sales YTD = SUMX(DATESYTD(Date[Date]), [Total Sales])

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
DATESYTD must be used inside CALCULATE to modify filter context. Options A and B are incomplete, and D is an incorrect pattern.

Question 3

Which function returns values for the same period in the previous year?

A. DATEADD
B. SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
C. DATESYTD
D. PARALLELPERIOD

✅ Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR shifts the date context back exactly one year and is commonly used for year-over-year comparisons.

Question 4

What is the main reason to use DATEADD instead of SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR?

A. It performs faster
B. It works without a date table
C. It supports flexible offsets (months, quarters, days)
D. It ignores relationships

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
DATEADD allows shifting the date context by various intervals, making it more flexible for non-year-based comparisons.

Question 5

Which measure correctly calculates rolling 12-month sales?

A.

Rolling 12M =
SUM(Sales[SalesAmount])

B.

Rolling 12M =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    DATESINPERIOD(Date[Date], TODAY(), -12, MONTH)
)

C.

Rolling 12M =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    DATESINPERIOD(
        Date[Date],
        MAX(Date[Date]),
        -12,
        MONTH
    )
)

D.

Rolling 12M =
DATESINPERIOD(Date[Date], -12, MONTH)

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
MAX(Date[Date]) ensures the rolling window aligns with the current evaluation context, which is essential for correct rolling calculations.

Question 6

Why is DIVIDE() recommended when calculating time-based percentage changes?

A. It is faster than /
B. It prevents circular dependencies
C. It automatically formats results
D. It safely handles divide-by-zero scenarios

✅ Correct Answer: D

Explanation:
DIVIDE() returns a safe result (blank or alternate value) instead of an error when the denominator is zero.

Question 7

Which scenario would cause a YTD measure to return incorrect results?

A. The date table contains fiscal year columns
B. The date table has missing dates
C. The measure uses CALCULATE
D. The model uses a star schema

✅ Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Built-in time intelligence requires a complete date range with no gaps. Missing dates break time-based calculations.

Question 8

Where should time intelligence measures typically be created?

A. Calculated columns
B. Calculated tables
C. Measures
D. Power Query

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Time intelligence calculations depend on filter context, which is only evaluated dynamically in measures.

Question 9

Which function returns all dates from the beginning of the quarter to the current context?

A. DATESMTD
B. DATESQTD
C. DATESYTD
D. DATEADD

✅ Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
DATESQTD calculates quarter-to-date values, commonly tested alongside YTD and MTD.

Question 10

What is the primary role of the date table in time intelligence?

A. Store fact data
B. Improve visual formatting
C. Control time-based filter context
D. Reduce model size

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
The date table defines the time dimension used by DAX functions to evaluate periods accurately.

Final PL-300 Exam Tips for Time Intelligence

• Always check for a marked date table
• Expect scenario-based questions
• Use built-in time intelligence functions first
• Remember that CALCULATE is always involved
• Validate measures at different time granularities

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