Databricks Unity Catalog is a unified governance solution for managing data and AI assets in the Databricks Lakehouse. Specifically, it provides fine-grained access control, centralized metadata management, and seamless integration with Databricks workspaces. In addition, for data engineers, analysts, and AI practitioners, understanding UC is crucial to securely manage tables, views, and files while ensuring compliance.
To help you master Unity Catalog concepts, we’ve compiled a set of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that cover key features, best practices, and practical scenarios. Additionally, these questions are ideal for self-assessment, interview preparation, or brushing up on your Databricks skills.
Databricks Unity Catalog – Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is Unity Catalog primarily used for in Databricks?
A. Cluster monitoring
B. Data governance and unified access control
C. Dashboard visualization
D. Optimizing Delta Lake performance
Correct Answer: B
2. Which objects are top-level in Unity Catalog’s three-level hierarchy?
A. Databases → Tables → Columns
B. Catalogs → Schemas → Tables/Views
C. Workspaces → Repos → Folders
D. Repos → Branches → Notebooks
Correct Answer: B
3. Permissions are based on which standard?
A. IAM only
B. ACL-based system
C. ANSI SQL GRANT statements
D. Custom JSON policies
Correct Answer: C
4. Which Unity Catalog feature supports column-level masking?
A. Table ACL
B. Row-Level Security
C. Data Clean Room
D. Dynamic Data Masking Functions / Policies
Correct Answer: D
5. Unity Catalog manages which of the following assets?
A. Lakehouse Files, Tables, ML Models, Functions
B. Delta Tables exclusively
C. SQL Objects exclusively
D. ML Models exclusively
Correct Answer: A
6. Which identity system does Unity Catalog rely on?
A. Databricks Premium Users
B. SCIM + Identity Provider (Azure AD, Okta)
C. Local Workspace Accounts
D. AWS IAM Roles only
Correct Answer: B
7. Which feature gives end-to-end visibility of data movement?
A. SQL Query History
B. Cluster Logs
C. Unity Catalog Lineage
D. Pipeline Log Explorer
Correct Answer: C
8. In Unity Catalog, external locations require which permission?
A. SELECT
B. WRITE FILE
C. CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE
D. CREATE EXTERNAL LOCATION
Correct Answer: D
9. Which of the following is NOT supported in Unity Catalog?
A. Managed tables
B. Delta Live Tables (DLT)
C. Database-level ACLs
D. Personal Access Token management
Correct Answer: D
10. What does a Storage Credential represent?
A. A Schema Access Policy
B. A connection to external object storage (S3/ADLS)
C. A user permission group
D. A cluster policy
Correct Answer: B
11. Row-Level Security in Unity Catalog is implemented using ___?
A. Table ACL
B. SQL Row Filters
C. Notebook ACL
D. Workspace Permissions
Correct Answer: B
12. UC volume supports storing which types of files?
A. Parquet files exclusively
B. Delta format only
C. Arbitrary files (images, PDFs, JSON, binary)
D. CSV and JSON only
Correct Answer: C
13. What happens when you migrate Hive Metastore to Unity Catalog?
A. All data files move automatically
B. Only metadata and access controls move (data stays in place)
C. All data is duplicated
D. Clusters restart automatically
Correct Answer: B
14. Delta Sharing under Unity Catalog can share data:
A. Within the same workspace only
B. Restricted to the same account
C. Cross-cloud & cross-organization
D. Inside private networks only
Correct Answer: C
15. What type of clusters are required for full UC support?
A. Legacy clusters
B. No-isolation shared clusters
C. UC-enabled clusters / Shared Access Mode
D. Single Node Cluster
Correct Answer: C
16. Which of the following supports PII masking?
A. Data profiles
B. Dynamic Views
C. UC Masking Policies
D. Notebook ACLs
Correct Answer: C
17. Where are Unity Catalog permissions stored?
A. Local workspace
B. Per cluster
C. Centralized metastore
D. Per user
Correct Answer: C
18. Which command grants a user ability to create tables in a schema?
A. GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON CATALOG
B. GRANT CREATE ON SCHEMA
C. GRANT MODIFY ON TABLE
D. GRANT READ FILE ON LOCATION
Correct Answer: B
19. What is required to access a volume in UC?
A. USAGE on schema + READ FILE/WRITE FILE
B. SELECT permission only
C. MODIFY permission only
D. No permissions are required
Correct Answer: A
20. Unity Catalog lineage tracks which levels?
A. Table → Dashboard only
B. Notebook → Query only
C. Column-level lineage
D. Only table-level
Correct Answer: C
References
In summary, these 20 MCQs cover the essential concepts of Databricks Unity Catalog across governance, access control, and metadata management. Furthermore, regular practice with these scenario-based questions builds the confidence needed for real-world implementations and technical interviews. Therefore, revisiting these questions before pursuing a Databricks certification exam is highly recommended to reinforce your understanding. Additionally, explore the official Databricks documentation linked in the references section below for deeper insights into advanced Unity Catalog features and best practices.
