Quick Answer
The correct answer is the Copy activity and the Stored procedure activity. In a Synapse Pipeline batch processing solution, the Copy activity handles the ingestion of data from multiple sources like Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, and a REST API into the dedicated SQL pool, while the Stored procedure activity executes the aggregation logic directly on the pool after the data is loaded. This combination directly fulfills the requirement to load and then aggregate, without unnecessary transformation steps. On the DP-203 exam, this question tests your understanding of pipeline activity roles—specifically that Copy is for movement, not transformation, and that Stored procedure activity is the native way to run T-SQL batches in a dedicated SQL pool. A common trap is choosing Data Flow for the aggregation step, but Data Flow is for in-memory transformations, not for executing pre-existing stored procedures. Remember the memory tip: "Copy to load, Stored Proc to code"—if the requirement says "run a stored procedure," always pick the Stored procedure activity, not a Data Flow or Azure Function.
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.
You are designing a batch processing solution in Azure Synapse Analytics using pipelines. The solution must load data from multiple sources (Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, and REST API) into a dedicated SQL pool. After loading, you need to run a stored procedure to aggregate the data. Which two activities should you include in the pipeline? (Choose two.)
Execute Pipeline activity
Why wrong: Execute Pipeline runs another pipeline, not a stored procedure.
Copy activity
Copy activity loads data from sources to SQL pool.
Azure Function activity
Why wrong: Azure Function activity is for custom code, not needed.
Stored procedure activity
Stored procedure activity runs the aggregation procedure.
Data Flow activity
Why wrong: Data Flow is for transformations, not required as per scenario.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Copy activity
Options B and D are correct. Copy activity is used to copy data from sources. Stored procedure activity is used to execute the aggregation procedure. Option A is wrong because Data Flow is for transformations, but the requirement is to load and then run a stored procedure. Option C is wrong because Execute Pipeline is for running another pipeline, not for executing a stored procedure. Option E is wrong because Azure Function activity is for custom code, not needed here.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Execute Pipeline activity
Why it's wrong here
Execute Pipeline runs another pipeline, not a stored procedure.
Copy activity
Why this is correct
Copy activity loads data from sources to SQL pool.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Function activity
Why it's wrong here
Azure Function activity is for custom code, not needed.
Stored procedure activity
Why this is correct
Stored procedure activity runs the aggregation procedure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data Flow activity
Why it's wrong here
Data Flow is for transformations, not required as per scenario.
Common exam traps
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Data Flow is for transformations, not required as per scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Copy activity — Options B and D are correct. Copy activity is used to copy data from sources. Stored procedure activity is used to execute the aggregation procedure. Option A is wrong because Data Flow is for transformations, but the requirement is to load and then run a stored procedure. Option C is wrong because Execute Pipeline is for running another pipeline, not for executing a stored procedure. Option E is wrong because Azure Function activity is for custom code, not needed here.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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