Free Oracle 1Z0-071 Exam Actual Questions & Explanations

Last updated on: Jun 30, 2026
Author: Matthew Greco (Oracle Database Certification Specialist)

The Oracle 1Z0-071 exam validates your ability to write SQL queries and manage Oracle Database objects effectively. This certification is essential for database developers, administrators, and data professionals who work with Oracle Database. This exam tests both foundational SQL knowledge and practical application in real-world scenarios. Use this guide to understand the exam structure, review core topics, and prepare with a focused study plan.

1Z0-071 Exam Syllabus & Core Topics

Use this topic map to guide your study for Oracle 1Z0-071 (Oracle Database SQL) within the Oracle Database path.

  • Relational Database Concepts: Understand table structures, keys, relationships, and normalization principles that form the foundation for all SQL work.
  • Retrieving Data Using the SQL SELECT Statement: Master the SELECT clause, FROM clause, and basic query construction to extract data from single and multiple tables.
  • Restricting and Sorting Data: Apply WHERE conditions to filter results and use ORDER BY to organize output in ascending or descending order.
  • Using Single-Row Functions to Customize Output: Apply character, numeric, and date functions to transform individual row values in query results.
  • Using Conversion Functions and Conditional Expressions: Convert data types explicitly and use CASE and DECODE expressions to handle conditional logic within queries.
  • Reporting Aggregated Data Using Group Functions: Use COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, and MAX with GROUP BY and HAVING clauses to summarize data across multiple rows.
  • Displaying Data from Multiple Tables: Write INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, and FULL OUTER joins to combine data from related tables based on key relationships.
  • Using Subqueries to Solve Queries: Embed SELECT statements within WHERE, FROM, and SELECT clauses to solve complex multi-step data retrieval problems.
  • Using SET Operators: Combine query results using UNION, UNION ALL, INTERSECT, and MINUS to merge or compare datasets.
  • Managing Tables Using DML Statements: Execute INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations to modify table data, and use COMMIT and ROLLBACK for transaction control.
  • Managing Indexes, Synonyms, and Sequences: Create and maintain indexes for query performance, define synonyms for object references, and generate unique values with sequences.
  • Use DDL to Manage Tables and Their Relationships: Create, alter, and drop tables; define primary and foreign keys; and establish constraints to enforce data integrity.
  • Managing Views: Create simple and complex views to present filtered or aggregated data; understand view restrictions and when to use them for security and simplicity.
  • Controlling User Access: Grant and revoke object and system privileges to control who can perform specific actions on database objects.
  • Managing Objects with Data Dictionary Views: Query USER_, ALL_, and DBA_ views to inspect table structures, constraints, indexes, and other schema metadata.
  • Managing Data in Different Time Zones: Work with TIMESTAMP WITH TIME ZONE and TIMESTAMP WITH LOCAL TIME ZONE data types to handle global date and time data correctly.

Question Formats & What They Test

The 1Z0-071 exam uses multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to measure both SQL knowledge and your ability to apply it in realistic situations. Questions progress in difficulty and require you to reason through problems rather than simply recall facts.

  • Multiple Choice: Test core SQL syntax, function behavior, join types, and data type rules. Example: identify which function returns the correct output for a given input.
  • Scenario-Based Items: Present a business requirement and ask you to choose the correct SQL approach. Example: write a query that combines data from three tables and filters results based on aggregated values.
  • Code Analysis: Evaluate SQL statements and predict their output or identify errors in logic, syntax, or performance.

Success requires both memorization of syntax and the ability to design queries that solve real-world data problems efficiently.

Preparation Guidance

An effective study routine maps topics to weekly goals and balances theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. Dedicate time to each domain, practice writing queries, and review explanations to reinforce weak areas. Progressive difficulty in your practice helps build confidence and exam readiness.

  • Organize your study into weekly blocks: start with relational database concepts and SELECT basics in week one; progress to joins and subqueries by week two; finish with DDL, DML, and administrative topics by week three.
  • Write SQL queries against sample databases daily; focus on one topic per session and test different variations of syntax and logic.
  • Review practice question explanations thoroughly, especially for incorrect answers, to understand why one approach works better than another.
  • Connect concepts across workflows: understand how SELECT queries retrieve data, how DML modifies it, how DDL structures tables, and how views and security control access.
  • Complete a timed practice test under exam conditions two days before your scheduled exam to identify pacing issues and reduce anxiety.

Explore other Oracle certifications: view all Oracle exams.

Get the PDF & Practice Test

Strengthen your preparation with up-to-date resources from validexamdumps.com. These materials align to 1Z0-071 and cover practical scenarios with clear explanations.

  • Q&A PDF with Explanations: Topic-mapped questions that clarify why correct options are right and others aren't, helping you learn from each question.
  • Practice Test: Realistic items, timed and untimed modes, progress tracking, and detailed review to simulate exam conditions.
  • Focused Coverage: Aligned to relational database concepts, SELECT statements, data restriction and sorting, single-row and conversion functions, group functions, joins, subqueries, set operators, DML and DDL statements, indexes, synonyms, sequences, views, user access control, data dictionary views, and time zone management so you study what matters most.
  • Regular Updates: Content refreshes that reflect syllabus and product changes, ensuring your study materials remain current.

Visit the exam page to download the PDF, Online Practice Test, or get a Bundle Discount offer for both formats: Oracle Database SQL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which topics carry the most weight on the 1Z0-071 exam?

SELECT queries, joins, and subqueries typically account for a significant portion of the exam because they form the core of SQL work in real projects. DML and DDL statements also receive substantial coverage since managing data and table structures are essential tasks. While all topics matter, prioritize deep practice with retrieval and modification queries before moving to administrative features.

How do joins and subqueries connect in practical database work?

Joins combine data from multiple tables in a single pass, while subqueries break complex problems into smaller, sequential steps. In real projects, you often use both: joins for straightforward multi-table retrieval and subqueries when you need to filter based on aggregated values or correlated data. Understanding when to choose each approach is critical for writing efficient, maintainable SQL.

How much hands-on practice is necessary to pass 1Z0-071?

Writing actual SQL queries against a live or test Oracle Database is invaluable and significantly more effective than reading alone. Aim for at least 20-30 hours of hands-on practice across all topics, with emphasis on joins, subqueries, and DML statements. Labs that require you to create tables, insert data, and write queries to solve business problems build the muscle memory needed for exam success.

What common mistakes cause candidates to lose points on this exam?

Misunderstanding join types and producing incorrect result sets is a frequent error, as is confusing aggregate functions with single-row functions. Syntax mistakes in DDL statements, incorrect use of WHERE versus HAVING, and overlooking NULL handling in comparisons also trip up many candidates. Review the behavior of each function and join type with multiple examples to avoid these pitfalls.

What is an effective review strategy for the final week before the exam?

In the final week, focus on weak areas identified in practice tests rather than re-reading entire topics. Take a full-length timed practice test three days before your exam, review all incorrect answers, and drill those specific concepts. Two days before, do a lighter review of key syntax and function behaviors, then rest the day before the exam to arrive focused and alert.

Get All 326 Questions
Question No. 1

Which three statements are true regarding indexes?

Show Answer Hide Answer
Correct Answer: A, D, F

Indexes are structures that can improve the retrieval time of data from a database table and have certain characteristics:

A . A SELECT statement can access one or more indices without accessing any tables: If the index contains all the columns needed for the query, Oracle can retrieve the data from the index alone without accessing the table. This is known as an index-only scan.

D . A UNIQUE index can be altered to be non-unique: It is possible to alter a unique index to become non-unique by using the ALTER INDEX command.

F . An update to a table can result in updates to any or all of the table's indexes: If the updated column is part of one or more indexes, those indexes will need to be updated to reflect the change. If the updated column is not part of an index, then no index update is required.


Oracle Database SQL Language Reference 12c, especially sections on index management and the behavior of DML operations with respect to indexes.

Question No. 2

Which three statements are true about the DESCRIBE command?

Show Answer Hide Answer
Correct Answer: A, B, D

A: True. The DESCRIBE command can indeed be used from SQL Developer as well as other Oracle database tools such as SQL*Plus. This command is used to display the structure of a table, view, or other object, showing information such as column names, data types, and whether a column is nullable.

B: True. The DESCRIBE command can be used to display the structure of an existing view, showing similar information as it would for a table. This includes the columns, their data types, and other pertinent details.

D: True. When DESCRIBE is used, it does display the NOT NULL constraints for columns that have this constraint. This is part of the basic information about the structure of a table or view that can help developers understand the requirements of the data stored therein.


Question No. 3

Examine the description of the CUSTOMERS table:

You want to display details of all customers who reside in cities starting with the letter D followed by at least two character.

Which query can be used?

Show Answer Hide Answer
Correct Answer: A

The LIKE operator is used in SQL to search for a specified pattern in a column. To find all customers residing in cities starting with 'D' followed by at least two characters, you need to use the LIKE operator with the appropriate wildcard pattern:

A . SELECT * FROM customers WHERE city LIKE 'D_%'; The underscore () wildcard character in SQL represents a single character. The percent (%) wildcard character represents zero or more characters. So 'D%' will match any city starting with 'D' followed by at least one character (as there is one underscore).


Oracle Database SQL Language Reference 12c, specifically the section on pattern matching with the LIKE condition.

Question No. 4

Which two are true about queries using set operators such as UNION?

Show Answer Hide Answer
Correct Answer: B, D

Set operators allow you to combine multiple queries into a single query. The key points for each option are:

A . An expression in the first SELECT list does not need to have a column alias; however, the column alias given to an expression in the first SELECT list is used as the column name of the output.

B . This statement is true. When CHAR columns of different lengths are combined with a set operator, Oracle will pad the shorter values with spaces to match the length of the longest value. This behavior is consistent with the SQL standard and Oracle's treatment of the CHAR datatype.

C . Oracle Database performs implicit conversion between compatible data types where necessary when using set operators. For example, a NUMBER can be implicitly converted to a VARCHAR2 and vice versa if the context requires it.

D . This is true. When multiple set operators are used in a single query, the INTERSECT operator takes precedence over the UNION and UNION ALL operators. This order of operation can be overridden by using parentheses.

E . Not all set operators work with all data types. For instance, LOB and LONG RAW data types cannot be used with set operators.


Oracle Database SQL Language Reference, 12c Release 1 (12.1): 'Set Operators'

Oracle Database SQL Language Reference, 12c Release 1 (12.1): 'Data Types'

Question No. 5

Examine the description products table:

Examine the description of the new_projects table;

Which two queries execute successfully?

A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

Show Answer Hide Answer
Correct Answer: A, D

To determine which queries will execute successfully, we need to consider the compatibility of the column definitions and the structure of the SELECT statements:

Option A uses the MINUS set operator, which subtracts rows returned by the second SELECT statement from the rows returned by the first. For MINUS to work, the number and the order of columns and their data types must be the same in both queries. This query will not execute successfully because the second SELECT statement does not include all columns from the first SELECT statement, and the data types and sizes of PROD_ID do not match (CHAR(2) vs CHAR(4)).

Option B uses the UNION ALL set operator, which appends the results of the second SELECT statement to the results of the first. Unlike UNION, UNION ALL does not eliminate duplicate rows. This query will execute successfully because UNION ALL does not require the same data types or sizes, and the result will contain all columns from the first SELECT statement filled with NULL for non-matching columns from the second SELECT statement.

Option C uses the UNION set operator, which requires the same number of columns and compatible data types. This query will not execute successfully because PROD_NAME has different data types (CHAR(4) vs VARCHAR2(10)), and the result of a UNION must have the same number of columns with compatible data types in the two SELECT statements.

Option D uses the UNION set operator as well, but unlike Option C, it does not require a specific data type match because both SELECT statements include all columns and UNION is used (which will automatically handle type conversion where necessary). This query will execute successfully.

Option E uses the INTERSECT set operator, which requires the same number and order of columns and their data types to be identical or compatible. This query will not execute successfully because the data types and sizes of PROD_ID do not match (CHAR(2) vs CHAR(4)).


Oracle Documentation on Set Operators: SQL Language Reference - Set Operators

Oracle Documentation on Data Type Precedence: SQL Language Reference - Data Type Precedence

In conclusion, only Option B and Option D will execute successfully because they adhere to the rules of the UNION ALL and UNION operators respectively, regarding column count and data type compatibility.

Get All 326 Questions Explore Other Oracle Exams