- A
Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Azure SQL Database is a relational database and does not support the MongoDB API or document data models. It is not suitable for MongoDB-based applications.
- B
Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB
Cosmos DB's API for MongoDB provides full MongoDB wire protocol compatibility, global distribution with multi-region writes, configurable consistency levels, and automatic conflict resolution. It is designed for low-latency, globally distributed applications.
- C
Azure Database for MongoDB
Why wrong: There is no standalone Azure service named 'Azure Database for MongoDB'. The MongoDB support in Azure is provided by Cosmos DB. This option is misleading and incorrect.
- D
Azure Cache for Redis
Why wrong: Azure Cache for Redis is a caching service based on Redis, not a document database. It does not support MongoDB APIs, multi-region writes, or conflict resolution.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB. This service is the correct choice because it provides native support for the MongoDB wire protocol while offering a fully managed, globally distributed database that handles JSON documents with varying schemas. Its multi-region write capability uses automatic conflict resolution, typically through last-writer-wins (LWW) or custom policies, ensuring low-latency reads and writes from any region. On the AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match global distribution and schema flexibility requirements to the correct Azure data service, often contrasting Cosmos DB with Azure SQL Database or Azure Database for PostgreSQL, which lack native MongoDB API support and multi-region writes. A common trap is choosing Azure Cosmos DB without specifying the API for MongoDB, as the base service requires a different API. Remember the mnemonic “Mongo Goes Global” to link MongoDB migration to Cosmos DB’s global distribution and multi-region writes.
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 company is migrating a MongoDB-compatible application to Azure. The application requires low-latency reads and writes globally. It needs to support multi-region writes so that updates can be made from any region with automatic conflict resolution. The data is JSON documents that can vary in schema. The company wants a fully managed database service with native support for MongoDB APIs. Which Azure data service should they choose?
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
Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB
Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB is the correct choice because it provides a fully managed, globally distributed database service that natively supports the MongoDB wire protocol. It offers multi-region writes with automatic conflict resolution using last-writer-wins (LWW) or custom conflict resolution policies, ensuring low-latency reads and writes globally. Its schema-agnostic nature handles JSON documents with varying schemas, meeting all stated requirements.
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.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is a relational database and does not support the MongoDB API or document data models. It is not suitable for MongoDB-based applications.
- ✓
Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB
Why this is correct
Cosmos DB's API for MongoDB provides full MongoDB wire protocol compatibility, global distribution with multi-region writes, configurable consistency levels, and automatic conflict resolution. It is designed for low-latency, globally distributed applications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Database for MongoDB
Why it's wrong here
There is no standalone Azure service named 'Azure Database for MongoDB'. The MongoDB support in Azure is provided by Cosmos DB. This option is misleading and incorrect.
- ✗
Azure Cache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cache for Redis is a caching service based on Redis, not a document database. It does not support MongoDB APIs, multi-region writes, or conflict resolution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'Azure Database for MongoDB' (which does not exist) with Azure Cosmos DB's API for MongoDB, or incorrectly assume that a relational database like Azure SQL Database can handle schema-flexible JSON documents with global multi-region writes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB uses the MongoDB wire protocol (version 4.0 and 4.2) and supports sharding for horizontal scaling across regions. Multi-region writes are enabled via the multi-master configuration, which uses a last-writer-wins (LWW) conflict resolution mechanism based on a timestamp or a custom conflict resolution policy defined at the container level. This ensures that updates from any region are eventually consistent with automatic conflict handling, critical for global applications like IoT or real-time analytics.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Design data storage solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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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: Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB — Azure Cosmos DB with the API for MongoDB is the correct choice because it provides a fully managed, globally distributed database service that natively supports the MongoDB wire protocol. It offers multi-region writes with automatic conflict resolution using last-writer-wins (LWW) or custom conflict resolution policies, ensuring low-latency reads and writes globally. Its schema-agnostic nature handles JSON documents with varying schemas, meeting all stated requirements.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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