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Practice Questions: Configure a semantic model scheduled refresh (PL-300 Exam Prep)

 
This post is a part of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections:
Manage and secure Power BI (15–20%)
   --> Create and manage workspaces and assets
      --> Configure a semantic model scheduled refresh

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

1. Which semantic model supports scheduled refresh in the Power BI service?

A. A DirectQuery model connected to Azure SQL Database
B. A live connection to Azure Analysis Services
C. An Import mode model connected to a CSV file
D. A DirectQuery model connected to an on-premises SQL Server

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Scheduled refresh is supported only for semantic models that include Import mode tables. DirectQuery and live connection models do not store data in Power BI and therefore do not support scheduled refresh.

2. Where do you configure scheduled refresh for a semantic model?

A. In Power BI Desktop under Data Source Settings
B. In the workspace settings in the Power BI service
C. In the semantic model settings in the Power BI service
D. In Microsoft Fabric capacity settings

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Scheduled refresh is configured in the Power BI service by opening the semantic model settings, not in Power BI Desktop.

3. A semantic model uses Import mode and connects to an on-premises SQL Server. What is required to enable scheduled refresh?

A. Azure AD authentication
B. A dataflow
C. An on-premises data gateway
D. A Premium workspace

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
An on-premises data gateway is required whenever Power BI needs to access data sources located inside a private network.

4. What is the maximum number of scheduled refreshes per day for a dataset in a shared capacity workspace?

A. 4
B. 8
C. 24
D. 48

✅ Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
In shared capacity, Power BI allows up to 8 scheduled refreshes per day per semantic model.

5. Which scenario does NOT require a scheduled refresh?

A. Import mode model using Excel files
B. Composite model with imported tables
C. DirectQuery model connected to Azure SQL Database
D. Import mode model using SharePoint Online

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
DirectQuery models query the source data in real time and therefore do not use scheduled refresh.

6. A scheduled refresh is failing because credentials have expired. Where should the credentials be updated?

A. Power BI Desktop
B. Gateway configuration tool
C. Semantic model settings in the Power BI service
D. Workspace access settings

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Data source credentials are managed within the semantic model settings in the Power BI service.

7. What happens if a dataset contains both Import and DirectQuery tables?

A. Scheduled refresh is disabled
B. Only Import tables are refreshed
C. Only DirectQuery tables are refreshed
D. The dataset must be republished

✅ Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
In composite models, scheduled refresh refreshes only Import mode tables. DirectQuery tables always query data live.

8. Which feature reduces refresh duration by refreshing only new or changed data?

A. Query folding
B. Dataflows
C. Incremental refresh
D. DirectQuery

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Incremental refresh minimizes refresh time by refreshing only data partitions that have changed, but it still relies on scheduled refresh to execute.

9. What is a common cause of scheduled refresh failure?

A. Too many visuals on a report page
B. Dataset size exceeding 1 GB
C. Gateway being offline
D. Using DAX measures

✅ Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
If the gateway is offline or misconfigured, Power BI cannot access on-premises data sources, causing scheduled refresh to fail.

10. A dataset in a Premium workspace needs to refresh every 30 minutes. Is this supported?

A. Yes, Premium supports up to 48 refreshes per day
B. Yes, all datasets support 30-minute intervals
C. No, refresh frequency is fixed at 8 per day
D. No, scheduled refresh cannot be automated

✅ Correct Answer: A

Explanation:
Premium capacity supports up to 48 refreshes per day, allowing more frequent refresh intervals than shared capacity.

✔️ Exam Tip Summary

  • Import mode → scheduled refresh
  • DirectQuery → no scheduled refresh
  • On-premises source → gateway required
  • Refresh settings → Power BI service
  • Premium capacity → higher refresh limits

Go back to the PL-300 Exam Prep Hub main page

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