The answer is the Cool access tier. This is correct because the scenario describes infrequent access with a retrieval latency constraint of 15 minutes, and the Cool tier is designed specifically for data that is accessed less than once per month but still requires near-instant availability, unlike the Archive tier which has a multi-hour retrieval time. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of how access tier selection balances storage cost against retrieval latency for different usage patterns. A common trap is choosing Archive to minimize storage costs, forgetting that Archive data cannot be read within 15 minutes—it requires rehydration. For a quick memory tip, remember that “Cool” data is like a cold drink: it’s stored cheaply but still ready to grab within minutes, while “Archive” is locked in a freezer for hours.
DP-900 Practice Question: Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe considerations for working with non-relational data on azure. 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.
A company stores massive amounts of unstructured log data as text files in Azure Blob Storage. The logs are written once and accessed only a few times per month for compliance audits. When accessed, the data must be available within 15 minutes. The company's priority is minimizing storage costs. Which Azure Blob Storage access tier should they use?
Why wrong: Hot tier is for data accessed frequently; its storage cost is higher than Cool, so it does not minimize costs for infrequently accessed data.
B
Cool
Cool tier provides low storage cost for infrequently accessed data with immediate retrieval, meeting the cost and availability requirements.
C
Archive
Why wrong: Archive tier has the lowest storage cost but retrieval takes hours, exceeding the 15-minute availability requirement.
D
Premium
Why wrong: Premium tier is for high transaction rates and low latency, resulting in high storage cost, which does not align with the cost minimization goal.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cool
The Cool access tier is optimal because the logs are accessed infrequently (a few times per month) but require retrieval within 15 minutes. Cool tier offers lower storage costs than Hot while still supporting near-instant access, making it the best balance for minimizing storage costs with occasional compliance audits.
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.
✗
Hot
Why it's wrong here
Hot tier is for data accessed frequently; its storage cost is higher than Cool, so it does not minimize costs for infrequently accessed data.
✓
Cool
Why this is correct
Cool tier provides low storage cost for infrequently accessed data with immediate retrieval, meeting the cost and availability requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Archive
Why it's wrong here
Archive tier has the lowest storage cost but retrieval takes hours, exceeding the 15-minute availability requirement.
✗
Premium
Why it's wrong here
Premium tier is for high transaction rates and low latency, resulting in high storage cost, which does not align with the cost minimization goal.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Archive for cost minimization without considering the rehydration latency requirement, mistakenly assuming all infrequently accessed data qualifies for Archive regardless of retrieval time constraints.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Blob Storage access tiers use different pricing models: Hot has higher storage cost but no retrieval cost, Cool has lower storage cost with a retrieval cost per GB, and Archive has the lowest storage cost but significant retrieval time and cost. The 15-minute availability requirement rules out Archive, as its rehydration from the offline state to online tiers typically takes 1-15 hours, depending on the priority setting (Standard vs. High priority).
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — This question tests Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cool — The Cool access tier is optimal because the logs are accessed infrequently (a few times per month) but require retrieval within 15 minutes. Cool tier offers lower storage costs than Hot while still supporting near-instant access, making it the best balance for minimizing storage costs with occasional compliance audits.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Variation 1. Your company needs to store large amounts of data that will be accessed only a few times a year for compliance audits. The data must be retained for 7 years. Which Azure Blob Storage access tier should you choose?
easy
A.Cool
B.Premium
C.Hot
✓ D.Archive
Why D: Azure Blob Storage Archive tier is the most cost-effective for data that is rarely accessed and has a long retention period. Option A is wrong because Hot tier is for frequently accessed data. Option B is wrong because Cool tier is for infrequently accessed data but cheaper than Hot; however, Archive is even cheaper. Option D is wrong because Premium tier is for high-performance scenarios.
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Question Discussion
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