Spark Catalyst and Tungsten MCQ Questions with Answers (Latest 2026)

Q1. Which option best describes Catalyst?

A. A pure scheduler. B. Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. C. A pure shuffler. D. A pure cache.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL.

Here, Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. is the right choice. Logical/physical plan transformations. It aligns directly with what the question asks about which option best describes catalyst. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q2. What is the primary purpose of Catalyst?

A. Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. B. A pure cache. C. A pure scheduler. D. A pure shuffler.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL.

In this case, Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. is correct. Logical/physical plan transformations. It aligns directly with what the question asks about what is the primary purpose of catalyst. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q3. Which statement about Catalyst is most accurate?

A. Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. B. A pure scheduler. C. A pure shuffler. D. A pure cache.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL.

The best option here is Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL.. Logical/physical plan transformations. It aligns directly with what the question asks about which statement about catalyst is most accurate. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q4. How is Catalyst best characterized?

A. A pure cache. B. Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. C. A pure shuffler. D. A pure scheduler.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL.

For this question, Spark's query optimizer for DF/SQL. is correct. Logical/physical plan transformations. It aligns directly with what the question asks about how is catalyst best characterized. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q5. Which option best describes logical plan?

A. Pure schedule. B. Physical plan. C. Tree of operators describing what to compute. D. Pure runtime.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Tree of operators describing what to compute.

Tree of operators describing what to compute. is the correct answer here. Pre-optimization. It aligns directly with what the question asks about which option best describes logical plan. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q6. What is the primary purpose of logical plan?

A. Pure schedule. B. Tree of operators describing what to compute. C. Physical plan. D. Pure runtime.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Tree of operators describing what to compute.

Here, Tree of operators describing what to compute. is the right choice. Pre-optimization. This matches the core idea being tested around what is the primary purpose of logical plan. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q7. Which statement about logical plan is most accurate?

A. Tree of operators describing what to compute. B. Pure schedule. C. Pure runtime. D. Physical plan.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Tree of operators describing what to compute.

In this case, Tree of operators describing what to compute. is correct. Pre-optimization. This matches the core idea being tested around which statement about logical plan is most accurate. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q8. How is logical plan best characterized?

A. Pure schedule. B. Tree of operators describing what to compute. C. Physical plan. D. Pure runtime.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Tree of operators describing what to compute.

The best option here is Tree of operators describing what to compute.. Pre-optimization. This matches the core idea being tested around how is logical plan best characterized. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q9. Which option best describes optimized logical plan?

A. Raw logical plan. B. Pure physical. C. Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. D. Pure runtime.

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Answer: Logical plan after rule-based rewrites.

For this question, Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. is correct. Predicate/projection pushdown applied. This matches the core idea being tested around which option best describes optimized logical plan. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q10. What is the primary purpose of optimized logical plan?

A. Pure physical. B. Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. C. Raw logical plan. D. Pure runtime.

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Answer: Logical plan after rule-based rewrites.

Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. is the correct answer here. Predicate/projection pushdown applied. This matches the core idea being tested around what is the primary purpose of optimized logical. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q11. Which statement about optimized logical plan is most accurate?

A. Pure physical. B. Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. C. Pure runtime. D. Raw logical plan.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Logical plan after rule-based rewrites.

Here, Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. is the right choice. Predicate/projection pushdown applied. That is exactly the concept behind which statement about optimized logical plan is most in this context. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q12. How is optimized logical plan best characterized?

A. Pure physical. B. Raw logical plan. C. Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. D. Pure runtime.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Logical plan after rule-based rewrites.

In this case, Logical plan after rule-based rewrites. is correct. Predicate/projection pushdown applied. That is exactly the concept behind how is optimized logical plan best characterized in this context. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q13. Which option best describes physical plan?

A. Pure schedule. B. Logical plan. C. Pure runtime trace. D. Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.

The best option here is Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.. Multiple candidates compared. That is exactly the concept behind which option best describes physical plan in this context. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q14. What is the primary purpose of physical plan?

A. Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. B. Pure schedule. C. Pure runtime trace. D. Logical plan.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.

For this question, Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. is correct. Multiple candidates compared. That is exactly the concept behind what is the primary purpose of physical plan in this context. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q15. Which statement about physical plan is most accurate?

A. Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. B. Pure runtime trace. C. Pure schedule. D. Logical plan.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.

Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. is the correct answer here. Multiple candidates compared. That is exactly the concept behind which statement about physical plan is most accurate in this context. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q16. How is physical plan best characterized?

A. Logical plan. B. Pure schedule. C. Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. D. Pure runtime trace.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution.

Here, Concrete operators (joins, scans) chosen for execution. is the right choice. Multiple candidates compared. It fits the requirement in the prompt about how is physical plan best characterized. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q17. Which option best describes rule-based optimization?

A. Pure shuffler. B. Pure scheduler. C. Apply rewrite rules until fixed point. D. Cost-based only.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

In this case, Apply rewrite rules until fixed point. is correct. Predicate/constant folding/etc. It fits the requirement in the prompt about which option best describes rule-based optimization. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q18. What is the primary purpose of rule-based optimization?

A. Cost-based only. B. Pure scheduler. C. Pure shuffler. D. Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

The best option here is Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.. Predicate/constant folding/etc. It fits the requirement in the prompt about what is the primary purpose of rule-based optimization. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q19. Which statement about rule-based optimization is most accurate?

A. Pure scheduler. B. Cost-based only. C. Pure shuffler. D. Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

For this question, Apply rewrite rules until fixed point. is correct. Predicate/constant folding/etc. It fits the requirement in the prompt about which statement about rule-based optimization is most accurate. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q20. How is rule-based optimization best characterized?

A. Apply rewrite rules until fixed point. B. Pure scheduler. C. Cost-based only. D. Pure shuffler.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Apply rewrite rules until fixed point.

Apply rewrite rules until fixed point. is the correct answer here. Predicate/constant folding/etc. It fits the requirement in the prompt about how is rule-based optimization best characterized. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q21. Which option best describes cost-based optimization?

A. Pure shuffler. B. Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. C. Pure scheduler. D. Rule-based only.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.

Here, Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. is the right choice. Requires ANALYZE TABLE stats. This is the most accurate statement for which option best describes cost-based optimization. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q22. What is the primary purpose of cost-based optimization?

A. Pure shuffler. B. Pure scheduler. C. Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. D. Rule-based only.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.

In this case, Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. is correct. Requires ANALYZE TABLE stats. This is the most accurate statement for what is the primary purpose of cost-based optimization. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q23. Which statement about cost-based optimization is most accurate?

A. Pure shuffler. B. Pure scheduler. C. Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. D. Rule-based only.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.

The best option here is Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.. Requires ANALYZE TABLE stats. This is the most accurate statement for which statement about cost-based optimization is most accurate. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q24. How is cost-based optimization best characterized?

A. Pure scheduler. B. Rule-based only. C. Pure shuffler. D. Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Use stats to pick join orders/strategies.

For this question, Use stats to pick join orders/strategies. is correct. Requires ANALYZE TABLE stats. This is the most accurate statement for how is cost-based optimization best characterized. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q25. Which option best describes predicate pushdown?

A. Post-scan filter. B. Pure shuffle. C. Filter at source/scan level. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Filter at source/scan level.

Filter at source/scan level. is the correct answer here. Reduces I/O. This is the most accurate statement for which option best describes predicate pushdown. A quick elimination of partially true options helps confirm it.

Q26. What is the primary purpose of predicate pushdown?

A. Post-scan filter. B. Filter at source/scan level. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Filter at source/scan level.

Here, Filter at source/scan level. is the right choice. Reduces I/O. It aligns directly with what the question asks about what is the primary purpose of predicate pushdown. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q27. Which statement about predicate pushdown is most accurate?

A. Filter at source/scan level. B. Post-scan filter. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Filter at source/scan level.

In this case, Filter at source/scan level. is correct. Reduces I/O. It aligns directly with what the question asks about which statement about predicate pushdown is most accurate. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q28. How is predicate pushdown best characterized?

A. Filter at source/scan level. B. Pure broadcast. C. Post-scan filter. D. Pure shuffle.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Filter at source/scan level.

The best option here is Filter at source/scan level.. Reduces I/O. It aligns directly with what the question asks about how is predicate pushdown best characterized. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q29. Which option best describes projection pushdown?

A. Pure broadcast. B. Read only required columns. C. Pure shuffle. D. Full row read.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Read only required columns.

For this question, Read only required columns. is correct. Columnar formats benefit. It aligns directly with what the question asks about which option best describes projection pushdown. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q30. What is the primary purpose of projection pushdown?

A. Full row read. B. Read only required columns. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Read only required columns.

Read only required columns. is the correct answer here. Columnar formats benefit. It aligns directly with what the question asks about what is the primary purpose of projection pushdown. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q31. Which statement about projection pushdown is most accurate?

A. Full row read. B. Read only required columns. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Read only required columns.

Here, Read only required columns. is the right choice. Columnar formats benefit. This matches the core idea being tested around which statement about projection pushdown is most accurate. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q32. How is projection pushdown best characterized?

A. Pure broadcast. B. Pure shuffle. C. Read only required columns. D. Full row read.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Read only required columns.

In this case, Read only required columns. is correct. Columnar formats benefit. This matches the core idea being tested around how is projection pushdown best characterized. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q33. Which option best describes constant folding?

A. Pure log. B. Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. C. Pure cache. D. Pure runtime eval.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.

The best option here is Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.. Reduces runtime work. This matches the core idea being tested around which option best describes constant folding. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q34. What is the primary purpose of constant folding?

A. Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. B. Pure runtime eval. C. Pure cache. D. Pure log.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.

For this question, Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. is correct. Reduces runtime work. This matches the core idea being tested around what is the primary purpose of constant folding. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q35. Which statement about constant folding is most accurate?

A. Pure log. B. Pure runtime eval. C. Pure cache. D. Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.

Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. is the correct answer here. Reduces runtime work. This matches the core idea being tested around which statement about constant folding is most accurate. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q36. How is constant folding best characterized?

A. Pure log. B. Pure runtime eval. C. Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. D. Pure cache.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Evaluate constant expressions at compile time.

Here, Evaluate constant expressions at compile time. is the right choice. Reduces runtime work. That is exactly the concept behind how is constant folding best characterized in this context. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q37. Which option best describes filter combination?

A. Merge multiple filters into one. B. Pure broadcast. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure scheduler.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Merge multiple filters into one.

In this case, Merge multiple filters into one. is correct. Cleaner physical plan. That is exactly the concept behind which option best describes filter combination in this context. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q38. What is the primary purpose of filter combination?

A. Merge multiple filters into one. B. Pure scheduler. C. Pure broadcast. D. Pure shuffle.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Merge multiple filters into one.

The best option here is Merge multiple filters into one.. Cleaner physical plan. That is exactly the concept behind what is the primary purpose of filter combination in this context. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q39. Which statement about filter combination is most accurate?

A. Merge multiple filters into one. B. Pure scheduler. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Merge multiple filters into one.

For this question, Merge multiple filters into one. is correct. Cleaner physical plan. That is exactly the concept behind which statement about filter combination is most accurate in this context. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q40. How is filter combination best characterized?

A. Merge multiple filters into one. B. Pure scheduler. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Merge multiple filters into one.

Merge multiple filters into one. is the correct answer here. Cleaner physical plan. That is exactly the concept behind how is filter combination best characterized in this context. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q41. Which option best describes join reordering?

A. Reorder joins for cheaper plans. B. Pure broadcast. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure cross joins.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

Here, Reorder joins for cheaper plans. is the right choice. Stats-dependent. It fits the requirement in the prompt about which option best describes join reordering. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q42. What is the primary purpose of join reordering?

A. Pure cross joins. B. Reorder joins for cheaper plans. C. Pure shuffle. D. Pure broadcast.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

In this case, Reorder joins for cheaper plans. is correct. Stats-dependent. It fits the requirement in the prompt about what is the primary purpose of join reordering. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q43. Which statement about join reordering is most accurate?

A. Pure shuffle. B. Pure cross joins. C. Pure broadcast. D. Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

The best option here is Reorder joins for cheaper plans.. Stats-dependent. It fits the requirement in the prompt about which statement about join reordering is most accurate. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q44. How is join reordering best characterized?

A. Pure broadcast. B. Pure shuffle. C. Pure cross joins. D. Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Reorder joins for cheaper plans.

For this question, Reorder joins for cheaper plans. is correct. Stats-dependent. It fits the requirement in the prompt about how is join reordering best characterized. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q45. Which option best describes Tungsten?

A. A pure shuffler. B. A pure scheduler. C. Memory and code generation engine. D. A pure cache.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Memory and code generation engine.

Memory and code generation engine. is the correct answer here. Off-heap memory + codegen. It fits the requirement in the prompt about which option best describes tungsten. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q46. What is the primary purpose of Tungsten?

A. A pure shuffler. B. A pure cache. C. A pure scheduler. D. Memory and code generation engine.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Memory and code generation engine.

Here, Memory and code generation engine. is the right choice. Off-heap memory + codegen. This is the most accurate statement for what is the primary purpose of tungsten. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q47. Which statement about Tungsten is most accurate?

A. Memory and code generation engine. B. A pure shuffler. C. A pure cache. D. A pure scheduler.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Memory and code generation engine.

In this case, Memory and code generation engine. is correct. Off-heap memory + codegen. This is the most accurate statement for which statement about tungsten is most accurate. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q48. How is Tungsten best characterized?

A. A pure shuffler. B. A pure scheduler. C. Memory and code generation engine. D. A pure cache.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Memory and code generation engine.

The best option here is Memory and code generation engine.. Off-heap memory + codegen. This is the most accurate statement for how is tungsten best characterized. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q49. Which option best describes whole-stage codegen?

A. Pure shuffler. B. Generate Java for combined operators. C. Pure scheduler. D. Pure interpretation.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Generate Java for combined operators.

For this question, Generate Java for combined operators. is correct. Reduces virtual calls. This is the most accurate statement for which option best describes whole-stage codegen. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.

Q50. What is the primary purpose of whole-stage codegen?

A. Pure interpretation. B. Pure scheduler. C. Pure shuffler. D. Generate Java for combined operators.

Select an answer to check.

Answer: Generate Java for combined operators.

Generate Java for combined operators. is the correct answer here. Reduces virtual calls. This is the most accurate statement for what is the primary purpose of whole-stage codegen. The other options are either incomplete or contextually incorrect.