The answer is that enabling CDC on the source SQL Server database and tables is a required component, alongside a linked service to the Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pool. CDC must be enabled on the source because it generates the system change tables (cdc.<capture_instance>_CT) that Azure Data Factory’s native CDC connector reads to identify inserts, updates, and deletes for incremental loads. Without this prerequisite, ADF has no change tracking metadata to consume, making the pipeline non-functional. On the DP-203 exam, this tests your understanding of the CDC source setup versus the destination configuration—a common trap is assuming only the destination linked service matters, but the source CDC enablement is equally mandatory. Remember the mnemonic “Source Sends, Synapse Stores” to recall that CDC must be active on the source SQL Server before you can configure the Synapse linked service for the incremental load.
DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. 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.
Which TWO of the following are required components to set up a data pipeline that uses Change Data Capture (CDC) to incrementally load data from SQL Server to Azure Synapse using Azure Data Factory?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CDC enabled on the source SQL Server database and tables
Option A is correct because Change Data Capture (CDC) must be enabled on the source SQL Server database and the specific tables you intend to track. Without CDC enabled, SQL Server will not generate the change tracking tables (e.g., cdc.<capture_instance>_CT) that Azure Data Factory’s CDC connector reads to identify inserts, updates, and deletes. This is a prerequisite for any incremental load using the native CDC mechanism in ADF.
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.
✓
CDC enabled on the source SQL Server database and tables
Why this is correct
CDC must be enabled on the source to track changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A staging Azure Blob Storage account
Why it's wrong here
Staging is optional and not required for CDC.
✗
A Lookup activity to get the last watermark
Why it's wrong here
While common, a Lookup activity is not strictly required; watermark can be handled differently.
✗
A stored procedure in the source database to capture changes
Why it's wrong here
CDC uses system tables, not custom stored procedures.
✓
A linked service to the Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pool
Why this is correct
A linked service is needed to connect to the sink.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse CDC-based incremental loading with watermark-based incremental loading, leading them to incorrectly select a Lookup activity (Option C) or a staging storage account (Option B) as required components.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SQL Server CDC uses the log reader agent to scan the transaction log and write change data to dedicated change tables (cdc.<schema>_<table>_CT). Azure Data Factory’s CDC connector uses a high-watermark approach based on LSN values, which it manages internally via a state file in an Azure Storage account (optional but recommended for resumability). In real-world scenarios, failing to enable CDC on the table level means the change tables are never populated, causing the ADF pipeline to see no changes even if CDC is enabled at the database level.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CDC enabled on the source SQL Server database and tables — Option A is correct because Change Data Capture (CDC) must be enabled on the source SQL Server database and the specific tables you intend to track. Without CDC enabled, SQL Server will not generate the change tracking tables (e.g., cdc.<capture_instance>_CT) that Azure Data Factory’s CDC connector reads to identify inserts, updates, and deletes. This is a prerequisite for any incremental load using the native CDC mechanism in ADF.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This DP-203 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 DP-203 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.