- A
Serverless SQL pool
Correct. Serverless SQL pool is an on-demand compute that charges per TB of data processed, making it ideal for unpredictable ad-hoc queries without provisioning or idle costs.
- B
Dedicated SQL pool
Why wrong: Incorrect. Dedicated SQL pool requires provisioning compute resources and incurs costs even when idle. It is better for predictable, high-volume workloads, not occasional ad-hoc queries.
- C
Apache Spark pool
Why wrong: Incorrect. Spark pools are used for big data processing with languages like Python and Scala, not for ad-hoc SQL querying over Parquet files.
- D
Azure Data Explorer pool
Why wrong: Incorrect. Data Explorer is for interactive analytics on time-series and log data, not a general-purpose SQL query engine for data lake files.
DP-900 Describe an analytics workload on Azure Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe an analytics workload 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 data analyst needs to run ad-hoc SQL queries on large volumes of data stored as Parquet files in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. The queries are unpredictable, and the analyst wants to pay only for the compute resources consumed by each query. Which Azure Synapse Analytics compute model should be used?
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 SQL pool
Serverless SQL pool is the correct choice because it allows running ad-hoc SQL queries directly on data in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 without provisioning any fixed compute resources. It uses a pay-per-query billing model, charging only for the amount of data processed by each query, which aligns perfectly with the unpredictable query patterns described.
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.
- ✓
Serverless SQL pool
Why this is correct
Correct. Serverless SQL pool is an on-demand compute that charges per TB of data processed, making it ideal for unpredictable ad-hoc queries without provisioning or idle costs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Dedicated SQL pool
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Dedicated SQL pool requires provisioning compute resources and incurs costs even when idle. It is better for predictable, high-volume workloads, not occasional ad-hoc queries.
- ✗
Apache Spark pool
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Spark pools are used for big data processing with languages like Python and Scala, not for ad-hoc SQL querying over Parquet files.
- ✗
Azure Data Explorer pool
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Data Explorer is for interactive analytics on time-series and log data, not a general-purpose SQL query engine for data lake files.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'serverless' with 'dedicated' SQL pools, assuming that any SQL query requires a provisioned warehouse, when in fact Serverless SQL pool is purpose-built for ad-hoc, pay-per-query scenarios on data lakes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Serverless SQL pool uses a distributed query engine that reads data directly from Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 via the Synapse SQL endpoint, leveraging pushdown computation to the storage layer for filtering and aggregation. It supports T-SQL syntax and can query Parquet, CSV, and Delta Lake formats, with billing based on the number of bytes read (at $5 per TB processed) rather than compute runtime. A real-world scenario is a data analyst exploring terabytes of clickstream logs in Parquet format, running occasional queries to find patterns without needing a dedicated warehouse.
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?
Describe an analytics workload on Azure — This question tests Describe an analytics workload on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Serverless SQL pool — Serverless SQL pool is the correct choice because it allows running ad-hoc SQL queries directly on data in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 without provisioning any fixed compute resources. It uses a pay-per-query billing model, charging only for the amount of data processed by each query, which aligns perfectly with the unpredictable query patterns described.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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