DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 product information such as product ID, name, price, and category in a relational database with rows and columns. This data is best described as:
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Structured data conforms to a rigid schema, typically stored in tables with rows and columns, which matches the product information described.
B
Semi-structured data
Why wrong: Semi-structured data, like JSON or XML, allows flexible schema and does not enforce a strict row-and-column structure.
C
Unstructured data
Why wrong: Unstructured data has no predefined data model or organization, such as audio, video, or image files.
D
Transactional data
Why wrong: Transactional data refers to data generated by business transactions, but it is not a classification of data structure; it can be structured or otherwise.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Structured data
Structured data conforms to a predefined schema with rows and columns, making it easily searchable and queryable via SQL. The product information (ID, name, price, category) fits this model exactly, as each attribute has a fixed data type and is stored in a relational database table.
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.
✓
Structured data
Why this is correct
Structured data conforms to a rigid schema, typically stored in tables with rows and columns, which matches the product information described.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Semi-structured data
Why it's wrong here
Semi-structured data, like JSON or XML, allows flexible schema and does not enforce a strict row-and-column structure.
✗
Unstructured data
Why it's wrong here
Unstructured data has no predefined data model or organization, such as audio, video, or image files.
✗
Transactional data
Why it's wrong here
Transactional data refers to data generated by business transactions, but it is not a classification of data structure; it can be structured or otherwise.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing 'transactional data' (a workload type) with 'structured data' (a data format), leading candidates to pick D because product information is often used in transactions, but the question asks about the data's structure, not its purpose.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In relational databases, structured data is enforced through table schemas with columns like INT, VARCHAR, and DECIMAL, ensuring data integrity via constraints (e.g., PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY). This allows efficient indexing and ACID-compliant transactions, which is critical for OLTP systems where product information is frequently read and updated. A real-world scenario is an e-commerce platform using a normalized product table to support fast category-based filtering and inventory management.
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 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.
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 core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Structured data — Structured data conforms to a predefined schema with rows and columns, making it easily searchable and queryable via SQL. The product information (ID, name, price, category) fits this model exactly, as each attribute has a fixed data type and is stored in a relational database table.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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