DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question
You have an Azure Synapse Analytics workspace with a dedicated SQL pool. You need to create an external table that references Parquet files stored in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. The external table will be used for ad-hoc queries. Which statement correctly describes the required components?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that only a data source and file format are needed, forgetting the database scoped credential for authentication.
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
✓
You must create a database scoped credential, an external data source, and an external file format.
Creating an external table in a dedicated SQL pool requires three components: a database scoped credential for authentication, an external data source for the storage location, and an external file format for Parquet. These are essential for the pool to read the external data. Other options are either incomplete or describe different features.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
You only need to create an external data source and an external file format.
Why it's wrong here
While an external data source and file format are necessary, they are not sufficient. A database scoped credential is also required to authenticate to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, unless using a managed identity with appropriate permissions. Without the credential, the external table cannot access the storage, so this option is incomplete.
- ✗
You must create a PolyBase external table using the CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE AS SELECT (CETAS) statement.
Why it's wrong here
CETAS is used to export data from the SQL pool to external storage, not to create an external table for querying. To query external data, you use CREATE EXTERNAL TABLE. CETAS creates a new table with the results of a SELECT statement, which is a different operation.
- ✗
You must use the OPENROWSET function instead of an external table.
Why it's wrong here
OPENROWSET can be used to query external data in a serverless SQL pool, but in a dedicated SQL pool, external tables are the standard method. OPENROWSET is not supported in dedicated SQL pools for querying Parquet files directly. External tables provide a persistent schema and are more suitable for ad-hoc queries.
- ✓
You must create a database scoped credential, an external data source, and an external file format.
Why this is correct
To create an external table in a dedicated SQL pool, you need a database scoped credential for authentication, an external data source pointing to the storage location, and an external file format defining the file type (Parquet). These components enable the pool to access and interpret the external data.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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