Official format at a glance
The exam code is DA0-002. CompTIA lists a maximum of 90 questions and a 90-minute testing period. Because the document says maximum, the delivered exam does not have to contain exactly 90 items.
The official objectives describe both multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Prepare to select answers and to work through applied tasks that may require several related decisions.
- Exam code: DA0-002
- Question count: maximum of 90
- Question types: multiple-choice and performance-based
- Test length: 90 minutes
- Recommended experience: 1.5 to 2 years with relevant data tools and concepts
The five weighted domains
Data Analysis is the largest single domain at 24%, followed by Data Acquisition and Preparation at 22%. Data Concepts and Environments and Visualization and Reporting are each 20%, while Data Governance is 14%.
Weights describe the overall exam blueprint. They do not predict the exact order of questions, and they should not be used to abandon any domain.
- 1.0 Data Concepts and Environments - 20%
- 2.0 Data Acquisition and Preparation - 22%
- 3.0 Data Analysis - 24%
- 4.0 Visualization and Reporting - 20%
- 5.0 Data Governance - 14%
Build a pacing method before the exam
There is no single pacing split that suits every candidate or every delivered question set. During practice, determine how much time you need for an initial pass, performance-based work, and final review.
If a question is consuming too much time, record your best supported choice or flag it according to the test interface, then continue. A later question may be easier and should not be sacrificed because of one difficult item.
- Read the requested outcome before analyzing every detail.
- Eliminate options that violate an explicit constraint.
- Avoid changing an answer without a specific reason.
- Reserve time to check incomplete or flagged work.
Prepare for performance-based questions
Performance-based questions test applied judgment. Practise working with sequences, categories, tables, report elements, queries, calculations, and multi-step scenarios where appropriate to the public objectives.
Use a consistent task loop: identify the requested result, inspect the available information, perform the required actions, and validate the outcome. This is more reliable than clicking through possibilities without a plan.
Understand what the format does not tell you
The published format does not provide a guaranteed count for each question type, a fixed order for the domains, or a universal number of minutes to spend on a performance-based task. Treat any unofficial promise about those details as a planning guess rather than an exam rule.
A better preparation method is flexible: practise short and long prompts, direct knowledge checks, mixed scenarios, and applied tasks. Track both accuracy and time so that an unfamiliar mix on exam day does not force you to invent a pacing strategy under pressure.
Use the objectives as the scope boundary
The objectives list examples and are not described as exhaustive. Study the concepts and decisions represented by each objective rather than assuming that memorizing every bullet is sufficient.
Check the official objectives again near exam day in case CompTIA updates its published information. Keep a dated copy of the objective map used for your final review. Data Plus Study is independently developed.
Original Public Practice
Check Your Understanding
1. Does the official DA0-002 objective document promise exactly 90 questions?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: No. It states a maximum of 90 questions.
A maximum is an upper limit, so candidates should not depend on receiving one exact item count.
2. Which DA0-002 domain has the largest published weighting?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: Domain 3: Data Analysis, at 24%.
Data Analysis is the largest single domain in the official DA0-002 blueprint.
3. What is a useful four-step loop for an applied task?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: Identify the result, inspect the information, perform the actions, and validate the outcome.
A repeatable task loop supports accuracy and reduces unstructured trial and error.
Primary References
Sources and Review Date
Reviewed against the official public exam information available on August 24, 2026.
CompTIA and Data+ are trademarks of CompTIA, Inc. Data Plus Study is independently developed.