ATLASSIAN Jira Administrator ACP-120 Question # 19 Topic 2 Discussion

To find issues where Tom set theprioritytoHighestduring the current month, regardless of the current priority value, the JQL query must use theWASoperator to check the historical priority value and theBYclause to specify the user (Tom), along with a time range for the current month. The correct query ispriority was Highest by tom after startOfMonth()(Option B).

Explanation of the Correct Answer (Option B):

The conditionTom set the priority value to “Highest” sometime this monthrequires checking the issue’s change history for thepriorityfield. TheWASoperator checks if a field had a specific value at some point, and theBYclause filters for changes made by a specific user (Tom). Theafter startOfMonth()clause ensures the change occurred within the current month (from the first day of the month to the present).

The conditionthe priority value may or may not be “Highest” nowmeans the query should not filter based on the current priority value, whichOption Bcorrectly avoids by not including a current-state condition (e.g.,priority = Highest).

The querypriority was Highest by tom after startOfMonth()returns issues where Tom changed the priority toHighestafter the start of the current month, satisfying both conditions.

Exact Extract from Documentation:

Advanced searching - operators reference

TheWASoperator checks if a field had a specific value at some point in the issue’s history.

priority was Highest by tom after startOfMonth() returns issues where thepriorityfield was set toHighestby the usertomafter the start of the current month.Note: TheWASoperator does not check the current field value, only historical values. Useafterto specify a time range.(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Advanced searching - operators reference")

Why This Fits: The query usesWASto check historical priority changes by Tom toHighestwithin the current month, without restricting the current priority, making Option B the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

priority changed to Highest by tom before endOfMonth() (Option A):

TheCHANGEDoperator checks for transitions in field values, butbefore endOfMonth()includes all changes up to the end of the current month, including past months, which is too broad. The query needs to limit changes to the current month (e.g.,after startOfMonth()).

Extract from Documentation:

TheCHANGEDoperator requiresFROMandTOclauses for specific transitions.before endOfMonth()includes all prior changes, not just the current month.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Advanced searching - operators reference")

priority was Highest by tom during (startOfMonth(), endOfMonth()) and priority = Highest or priority != Highest (Option C):

Theduring (startOfMonth(), endOfMonth())clause is valid for time ranges, but the additional conditionpriority = Highest or priority != Highestis redundant and always true (it includes all issues). However,duringis less precise thanafter startOfMonth(), as it may exclude changes on the last day of the month depending on timezone handling. This makes the query less optimal.

Extract from Documentation:

Theduringclause defines a time range but may have edge cases with end dates.after startOfMonth()is simpler for current-month filtering.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Advanced searching - operators reference")

priority was Highest by tom and (priority = Highest by tom after startOfMonth() or priority != Highest) (Option D):

The clausepriority = Highest by tom after startOfMonth()is invalid, as theBYclause cannot be used with current-state conditions likepriority = Highest. TheWASoperator already covers the historical change, and the additionalor priority != Highestis unnecessary and complicates the query.

Extract from Documentation:

TheBYclause is used withWASorCHANGED, not with current-state conditions likepriority = Highest.

(Source: Atlassian Support Documentation, "Advanced searching - operators reference")

Additional Notes:

The query assumesHighestis a valid priority value (check inSettings > Issues > Priorities).

The query can be tested inIssues > Search for issuesand saved as a filter.

Ensure Tom’s user account is correctly referenced (e.g., username or user ID) and that the user running the query hasBrowse Projectspermission.