GISCI knowledge category 7 of 10

Database Design & Management: GISP practice questions

Database Design & Management on the GISP exam covers the relational model, normalization, SQL and spatial SQL, spatial databases, indexes, transactions, versioning and data integrity. Here are five sample questions from our bank of 40 on this category, each with the answer and a short explanation.

Question 1 · Easy · Conceptual

In geodatabase terminology, a feature class is most analogous to which relational database concept?

  1. A table whose records each have a geometry
  2. A primary key
  3. A database index
  4. A stored procedure
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. A feature class is essentially a table in which every record (feature) has an associated geometry column plus attribute fields. It corresponds to a spatial table in an RDBMS.

Question 2 · Easy · Conceptual

What is the primary purpose of a data dictionary?

  1. To store the actual spatial geometries of features
  2. To compress the database for storage
  3. To execute SQL queries automatically
  4. To document the structure, definitions, data types, domains, and relationships of the database's elements (metadata about the schema)
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. A data dictionary is a centralized catalog of metadata describing each table, field, data type, domain, key, and relationship in the database. It helps users and developers understand and consistently maintain the schema.

Question 3 · Medium · Conceptual

Referential integrity in a relational database ensures that:

  1. Every column has an index
  2. Every table is fully normalized to 3NF
  3. Spatial geometries are always valid
  4. A foreign key value must match an existing primary key value (or be null), preventing orphaned records
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. Referential integrity guarantees that relationships between tables remain consistent: a foreign key must reference a row that actually exists (or be null). This prevents orphaned child records that point to nonexistent parents.

Question 4 · Medium · Scenario

A pipe diameter field must only accept values between 4 and 48 inches. Which geodatabase mechanism best enforces this rule?

  1. A spatial index
  2. A subtype
  3. A coded-value domain listing every integer from 4 to 48
  4. A range domain with a minimum of 4 and maximum of 48
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. A range domain is designed to constrain a numeric field to a continuous minimum-to-maximum interval, which is the most efficient way to enforce a 4-to-48 limit. A coded-value domain would require enumerating each value and could not handle non-integer entries cleanly.

Question 5 · Hard · Conceptual

The ACID properties of a database transaction stand for:

  1. Atomicity, Concurrency, Indexing, Distribution
  2. Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability
  3. Accuracy, Cardinality, Indexing, Durability
  4. Aggregation, Cardinality, Integrity, Denormalization
Show answer and explanation

Answer: B. ACID stands for Atomicity (all-or-nothing transactions), Consistency (transactions move the database between valid states), Isolation (concurrent transactions do not interfere), and Durability (committed changes persist even after failure).

Want the other 35 Database Design & Management questions?

All 400 questions are free to practice in your browser or in the iPhone app. Timed mock exams, analytics and the full flashcard library are a one-time unlock — no subscription.

Practice online, freeGet the iPhone appRead the study guide

What this category tests

Database Design & Management is one of the ten knowledge categories in the official GISCI exam blueprint. Questions are vendor-neutral: they test concepts and professional judgement rather than the menus of one software package, and they come as conceptual, application, scenario and data-interpretation items. Expect the exam to mix easy recall with harder scenario questions where you must choose the best course of action.

Other categories

Conceptual FoundationsGeospatial Data FundamentalsCartography & VisualizationData AcquisitionsData ManipulationAnalytical MethodsApplication DevelopmentSystems Design & ManagementProfessional Practice

How to study for the GISP exam: a complete guide →