- A
Set up the storage account and data, then create the serverless SQL pool, then create a database, then create an external data source referencing the storage, and finally create an external file format and external table.
This is the correct order because the storage and data must exist first. Then the serverless SQL pool is used to create a database. Within the database, an external data source must reference the storage location. Finally, an external file format (if needed) and external table are created to query the data.
- B
Create the serverless SQL pool, then set up the storage account and data, then create a database, then create an external data source, and finally create an external table.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the storage account must be set up before creating the external data source that references it. Also, creating the serverless SQL pool before setting up storage is possible but placing storage after pool is illogical as the data source needs the storage.
- C
Create a database, then create an external data source, then create an external file format, then create an external table, and finally set up the storage account and data.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the external data source and table depend on the storage account and data existing first. You cannot create an external data source referencing a non-existent storage location.
- D
Set up the storage account and data, then create a database, then create an external data source, then create an external file format, then create an external table, and finally create the serverless SQL pool.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the serverless SQL pool must exist before creating a database in it. Also, the database is created within the serverless SQL pool, so the pool should be created before the database.
DP-203 Design and implement data storage Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Drag and drop the steps to configure Azure Synapse Analytics serverless SQL pool to query data in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 into the correct order.
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
Set up the storage account and data, then create the serverless SQL pool, then create a database, then create an external data source referencing the storage, and finally create an external file format and external table.
First, set up the storage account and data. Then create the serverless SQL pool, a database, external data source referencing the storage, and finally external file format and external table to query.
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.
- ✓
Set up the storage account and data, then create the serverless SQL pool, then create a database, then create an external data source referencing the storage, and finally create an external file format and external table.
Why this is correct
This is the correct order because the storage and data must exist first. Then the serverless SQL pool is used to create a database. Within the database, an external data source must reference the storage location. Finally, an external file format (if needed) and external table are created to query the data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create the serverless SQL pool, then set up the storage account and data, then create a database, then create an external data source, and finally create an external table.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the storage account must be set up before creating the external data source that references it. Also, creating the serverless SQL pool before setting up storage is possible but placing storage after pool is illogical as the data source needs the storage.
- ✗
Create a database, then create an external data source, then create an external file format, then create an external table, and finally set up the storage account and data.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the external data source and table depend on the storage account and data existing first. You cannot create an external data source referencing a non-existent storage location.
- ✗
Set up the storage account and data, then create a database, then create an external data source, then create an external file format, then create an external table, and finally create the serverless SQL pool.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the serverless SQL pool must exist before creating a database in it. Also, the database is created within the serverless SQL pool, so the pool should be created before the database.
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 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.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DP-203 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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up the storage account and data, then create the serverless SQL pool, then create a database, then create an external data source referencing the storage, and finally create an external file format and external table. — First, set up the storage account and data. Then create the serverless SQL pool, a database, external data source referencing the storage, and finally external file format and external table to query.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which DP-203 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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