- A
Provisioned DTU
Why wrong: DTU-based purchasing model charges for a fixed set of resources (compute, storage, IO). It does not automatically pause during idle times, so costs would be incurred even when the database is not used.
- B
Provisioned vCore
Why wrong: vCore-based model also requires you to provision a fixed number of compute cores and memory. It does not provide auto-pause capabilities, leading to continuous billing.
- C
Serverless
The serverless compute tier automatically pauses databases after a period of inactivity (configurable) and resumes on demand. Billing is based on actual compute usage per second, making it cost-effective for intermittent workloads.
- D
Hyperscale
Why wrong: Hyperscale is a service tier designed for large databases with high scalability requirements for storage and compute. It does not offer auto-pause and is not optimized for intermittent workloads but for continuous high volume.
DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify considerations for 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 uses Azure SQL Database for a reporting application. The database is mostly idle during weekdays but experiences heavy load on weekends when reports are generated. They want to minimize costs by only paying for compute resources when the database is active. Which Azure SQL Database pricing model should they choose?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Serverless
The Serverless pricing model for Azure SQL Database automatically pauses the database during periods of inactivity (e.g., weekdays) and resumes it when load increases (e.g., weekends), charging only for compute resources consumed during active periods. This aligns perfectly with the described workload pattern of mostly idle weekdays and heavy weekend usage, minimizing costs by eliminating charges for idle compute.
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.
- ✗
Provisioned DTU
Why it's wrong here
DTU-based purchasing model charges for a fixed set of resources (compute, storage, IO). It does not automatically pause during idle times, so costs would be incurred even when the database is not used.
- ✗
Provisioned vCore
Why it's wrong here
vCore-based model also requires you to provision a fixed number of compute cores and memory. It does not provide auto-pause capabilities, leading to continuous billing.
- ✓
Serverless
Why this is correct
The serverless compute tier automatically pauses databases after a period of inactivity (configurable) and resumes on demand. Billing is based on actual compute usage per second, making it cost-effective for intermittent workloads.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Hyperscale
Why it's wrong here
Hyperscale is a service tier designed for large databases with high scalability requirements for storage and compute. It does not offer auto-pause and is not optimized for intermittent workloads but for continuous high volume.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'Serverless' with 'Hyperscale' because both are modern Azure SQL offerings, but Hyperscale focuses on storage scalability and performance, not on pausing compute to save costs during idle periods.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure SQL Database Serverless uses a compute auto-pause delay (configurable from 1 minute to 24 hours) and a minimum vCore setting (e.g., 0.5 vCore) to scale down to near-zero compute when idle, while storage and backups continue to incur costs. A real-world scenario is a development or reporting database used only during business hours; Serverless can reduce costs by up to 60% compared to provisioned tiers for such intermittent workloads.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for 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: Serverless — The Serverless pricing model for Azure SQL Database automatically pauses the database during periods of inactivity (e.g., weekdays) and resumes it when load increases (e.g., weekends), charging only for compute resources consumed during active periods. This aligns perfectly with the described workload pattern of mostly idle weekdays and heavy weekend usage, minimizing costs by eliminating charges for idle compute.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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