- A
Use Azure Cosmos DB change feed with Azure Functions to process changes and load them into Azure Synapse Analytics using the COPY command.
Change feed provides real-time events, Functions can process and load to Synapse quickly.
- B
Enable Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB and query the transactional data directly from Synapse serverless SQL.
Why wrong: Synapse Link is for analytics queries, not for CDC pipeline to feed Synapse.
- C
Use Azure Data Factory to schedule incremental copy from Cosmos DB to Synapse every minute.
Why wrong: Data Factory may have higher latency and is not real-time.
- D
Use Azure Databricks with Spark Structured Streaming to read from Cosmos DB change feed and write to Synapse.
Why wrong: Adds complexity and cost; not necessary for this scale.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use Azure Cosmos DB change feed with Azure Functions to process changes and load them into Azure Synapse Analytics using the COPY command. This approach is correct because the change feed provides a real-time, ordered stream of document mutations from Cosmos DB, which Azure Functions can consume in near real-time and then efficiently bulk load into Synapse using the high-throughput COPY command, meeting the sub-one-minute latency requirement for 10,000 transactions per second. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between real-time CDC pipelines and batch-oriented tools like Azure Data Factory, which cannot guarantee under-one-minute latency, and to avoid over-engineering with Databricks or misapplying Azure Synapse Link, which is for HTAP queries rather than streaming CDC. A common trap is choosing Synapse Link because it sounds related, but it replicates data for analytical queries, not for streaming change capture into Synapse tables. Memory tip: think "Feed to Function to COPY" for real-time CDC—avoid "Link" for streaming loads.
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage solutions. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A financial services company is designing a data storage solution for its transaction processing system. The system uses Azure Cosmos DB with the Core (SQL) API. The company needs to implement a change data capture (CDC) pipeline to feed a downstream analytics system in near real-time (under 1 minute). The analytics system uses Azure Synapse Analytics. The data volume is approximately 10,000 transactions per second. The solution must minimize operational complexity and cost. Which approach should the company recommend?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use Azure Cosmos DB change feed with Azure Functions to process changes and load them into Azure Synapse Analytics using the COPY command.
Option A is correct because Azure Cosmos DB change feed can stream changes directly to Azure Functions or Stream Analytics, which can then write to Synapse via PolyBase or COPY command in near real-time. Option B is wrong because Azure Data Factory is batch-oriented and may not meet the <1 minute latency requirement. Option C is wrong because Azure Databricks with Change Feed adds complexity and cost. Option D is wrong because Azure Synapse Link is designed for analytical queries on Cosmos DB data but does not provide a CDC stream to Synapse; it replicates data into Synapse for querying, but the latency may vary.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use Azure Cosmos DB change feed with Azure Functions to process changes and load them into Azure Synapse Analytics using the COPY command.
Why this is correct
Change feed provides real-time events, Functions can process and load to Synapse quickly.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Azure Synapse Link for Cosmos DB and query the transactional data directly from Synapse serverless SQL.
Why it's wrong here
Synapse Link is for analytics queries, not for CDC pipeline to feed Synapse.
- ✗
Use Azure Data Factory to schedule incremental copy from Cosmos DB to Synapse every minute.
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory may have higher latency and is not real-time.
- ✗
Use Azure Databricks with Spark Structured Streaming to read from Cosmos DB change feed and write to Synapse.
Why it's wrong here
Adds complexity and cost; not necessary for this scale.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Design data storage solutions — study guide chapter
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Design data storage solutions practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-305 question test?
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure Cosmos DB change feed with Azure Functions to process changes and load them into Azure Synapse Analytics using the COPY command. — Option A is correct because Azure Cosmos DB change feed can stream changes directly to Azure Functions or Stream Analytics, which can then write to Synapse via PolyBase or COPY command in near real-time. Option B is wrong because Azure Data Factory is batch-oriented and may not meet the <1 minute latency requirement. Option C is wrong because Azure Databricks with Change Feed adds complexity and cost. Option D is wrong because Azure Synapse Link is designed for analytical queries on Cosmos DB data but does not provide a CDC stream to Synapse; it replicates data into Synapse for querying, but the latency may vary.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This AZ-305 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-305 exam.
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