DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
A company stores customer information in a SQL database with fixed columns (CustomerID, Name, Email). They also store scanned PDF contracts and product images in a file storage system. Which statement correctly describes the types of data mentioned?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'semi-structured' (e.g., JSON with flexible fields) with structured data (fixed schema), or assume all digital files are structured because they have metadata, ignoring the lack of a predefined schema in the content itself.
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
✓
The customer information is structured, and the files are unstructured.
Customer information stored in fixed columns (CustomerID, Name, Email) follows a strict schema with defined data types and relationships, making it structured data. Scanned PDF contracts and product images are binary files with no inherent schema or organization, fitting the definition of unstructured data. Option C correctly pairs these classifications.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Both the customer information and the files are structured data.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the PDF contracts and product images do not have a fixed schema; they are unstructured.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question described customer information stored in a NoSQL database with flexible schema (like JSON documents) and the files as structured data (e.g., CSV files).
- ✗
The customer information is semi-structured, and the files are unstructured.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the customer information is stored in a SQL table with fixed columns, which makes it structured, not semi-structured.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the customer information were stored in a format like JSON or XML with variable fields (e.g., custom attributes per customer), making it semi-structured, while the PDFs and images remain unstructured.
- ✓
The customer information is structured, and the files are unstructured.
Why this is correct
Correct. Customer information in a SQL table with a fixed schema is structured data. PDFs and images lack a predefined schema, making them unstructured.
- ✗
Both the customer information and the files are unstructured.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the customer information follows a fixed schema in a relational database, so it is structured.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DP-900 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓The customer information is structured, and the files are unstructured.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. Customer information in a SQL table with a fixed schema is structured data. PDFs and images lack a predefined schema, making them unstructured.
✗Both the customer information and the files are structured data.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Customer information in a fixed-column SQL database is structured data, not unstructured. The files (PDFs, images) are unstructured, but the option incorrectly classifies both as structured.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question described customer information stored in a NoSQL database with flexible schema (like JSON documents) and the files as structured data (e.g., CSV files).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'structured' with 'organized' and think that because the files are stored in a system, they are structured, or they may not distinguish between structured and unstructured data types clearly.
✗The customer information is semi-structured, and the files are unstructured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Customer information in a fixed-column SQL database is structured data, not semi-structured. Semi-structured data has tags or markers (e.g., JSON, XML) without a rigid schema, which does not apply here.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the customer information were stored in a format like JSON or XML with variable fields (e.g., custom attributes per customer), making it semi-structured, while the PDFs and images remain unstructured.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'semi-structured' with 'structured' because they think any database implies structure, but they overlook that semi-structured data lacks a fixed schema, unlike a SQL table with predefined columns.
Analysis generated from the official DP-900blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Roles and Core Concepts
Key term
Schema
A schema is a blueprint or logical structure that defines how data is organized, stored, and accessed in a database or information system.
Key term
Unstructured data
Unstructured data is information that does not have a predefined data model or is not organized in a predefined manner, making it difficult for traditional databases to read and process.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-900 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-900 exam.