Keep the editable source file, not just the PDF
Always retain the editable source file (e.g., DOCX, XLSX) because PDFs are flattened exports that cannot be directly updated; the exam trap is assuming a PDF is reusable for editing.
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The editable source file is the working document you create and modify, such as a Word file, spreadsheet, or design project. A PDF is typically a final output meant for distribution or printing, not for further editing. If you only keep the PDF, you cannot change text, fix a typo, or update a chart without starting from scratch. The key contrast: the source file is your workshop; the PDF is just a snapshot of the finished product.
To avoid the common mistake, remember that any file format that locks content (like PDF, or a flattened image) is not editable. In multiple-choice questions, if an option suggests saving only the PDF for future updates, that is wrong. Instead, look for answers that mention keeping the native file (e.g., .docx, .xlsx, .pptx) alongside the export. A quick mental test: ask yourself, 'Can I double-click this file and change a single word?' If not, it is not the editable source.
A compact way to recall this: treat the PDF as a print-out, not a master copy. When you finish a document, save the source file first, then export the PDF. If you ever need to revise, you go back to the source. This habit saves hours of rework and is exactly what the exam expects you to choose.
Why keep the editable source file as well as the exported file?
It allows updates without rebuilding the work from a flattened export.