SQL Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the SQL exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 SQL Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

63%

Passing Score

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📚 SQL Topics to Study (63)

General Concepts · 25 cards Advanced Window Functions · 7 cards Advanced Window Functions · 7 cards Advanced Window Functions · 7 cards Advanced Window Functions · 7 cards Aggregate Functions and Grouping · 7 cards Aggregate Functions and Grouping · 7 cards Aggregate Functions and Grouping · 7 cards Aggregate Functions and Grouping · 7 cards Common Table Expressions (CTEs) · 7 cards Common Table Expressions (CTEs) · 7 cards Common Table Expressions (CTEs) · 7 cards Common Table Expressions (CTEs) · 7 cards Data Definition Language (DDL) · 7 cards Data Definition Language (DDL) · 7 cards Data Definition Language (DDL) · 7 cards Data Definition Language (DDL) · 7 cards Data Manipulation Language (DML) · 7 cards Data Manipulation Language (DML) · 7 cards Data Manipulation Language (DML) · 7 cards Data Manipulation Language (DML) · 7 cards Filtering with WHERE Clause · 7 cards Filtering with WHERE Clause · 7 cards Filtering with WHERE Clause · 7 cards Filtering with WHERE Clause · 7 cards General Concepts · 7 cards General Concepts · 7 cards General Concepts · 7 cards General Concepts · 7 cards Indexes and Performance · 7 cards

See all 63 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample SQL Questions & Answers

1. Which TCL-related command sets the isolation level for a transaction in standard SQL?

✓ SET TRANSACTION

SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL configures how a transaction interacts with others.

2. Which TCL command is used to release a savepoint without rolling back?

✓ RELEASE SAVEPOINT

RELEASE SAVEPOINT removes a savepoint so it can no longer be used as a rollback target.

3. Which comparison is INVALID for matching NULLs in a join condition?

✓ column = NULL

NULL is never equal to anything, so '= NULL' never matches; use IS NULL.

4. Which combination is valid: SELECT dept, MAX(salary) FROM emp GROUP BY dept ORDER BY MAX(salary) DESC?

✓ Valid: orders departments by their max salary

ORDER BY can reference aggregate expressions to sort grouped output.

5. Which query returns rows where discount is NULL or zero?

✓ WHERE discount IS NULL OR discount = 0

You must test IS NULL separately and combine it with the zero check using OR.

6. Why can a CTE improve maintainability of a complex aggregation query?

✓ It breaks the logic into named, sequential steps

CTEs let you decompose complex logic into named steps that are easier to read and maintain.

🎯 Free SQL Practice Tests

General Concepts · 25 questions Advanced Window Functions · 7 questions Sorting and Limiting Results · 7 questions Indexes and Performance · 7 questions Indexes and Performance · 7 questions Sorting and Limiting Results · 7 questions Indexes and Performance · 7 questions Sorting and Limiting Results · 7 questions Sorting and Limiting Results · 7 questions Advanced Window Functions · 7 questions

📖 SQL Guides & Articles

Your SQL Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (448)🏆 Exam Simulation