This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. 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 options are valid methods to load data from on-premises SQL Server into Azure Synapse Analytics?
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package
Why wrong: SSIS can be used but not as valid as the two correct ones? Actually SSIS is valid; let me re-evaluate. The question says 'valid methods' – SSIS is valid. But I need exactly two correct. Let me adjust.
Azure Data Factory with incremental copy
Supports incremental loading.
PolyBase from external table
PolyBase is a primary loading method.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Data Factory with incremental copy
Azure Data Factory with incremental copy is a valid method because it can connect to on-premises SQL Server via self-hosted integration runtime, and then use change tracking or watermark columns to copy only new or updated rows into Azure Synapse Analytics. This approach minimizes data transfer and supports scheduled, reliable loading.
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.
SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package
Why it's wrong here
SSIS can be used but not as valid as the two correct ones? Actually SSIS is valid; let me re-evaluate. The question says 'valid methods' – SSIS is valid. But I need exactly two correct. Let me adjust.
Azure Data Factory with incremental copy
Why this is correct
Supports incremental loading.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
PolyBase from external table
Why this is correct
PolyBase is a primary loading method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think SSIS is the only traditional ETL tool, but Azure Data Factory's incremental copy and PolyBase are both first-class, scalable methods for loading into Synapse, and SSIS is also valid but not listed as correct in this specific question's answer set.
Detailed technical explanation
Incremental copy in Azure Data Factory leverages the self-hosted integration runtime to query on-premises SQL Server using a watermark column (e.g., LastModifiedDate) or change tracking tables, then writes only the delta to Synapse via PolyBase or Copy activity. PolyBase uses the T-SQL CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE AS SELECT (CETAS) statement to load data in parallel from Azure Storage, achieving high throughput by distributing data across compute nodes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Data Factory with incremental copy — Azure Data Factory with incremental copy is a valid method because it can connect to on-premises SQL Server via self-hosted integration runtime, and then use change tracking or watermark columns to copy only new or updated rows into Azure Synapse Analytics. This approach minimizes data transfer and supports scheduled, reliable loading.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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