- A
PlayerID
Why wrong: Using PlayerID would distribute a player's scores across game partitions? Actually, each document has a single PlayerID and GameID. If partitioned by PlayerID, all scores for a player are together, but querying by GameID would need to touch all partitions.
- B
GameID
Partitioning by GameID collocates all scores for a game in one partition, so the query targeting a specific GameID is a single-partition query, consuming fewer RUs.
- C
Score
Why wrong: Partitioning by Score would distribute documents with the same score across partitions, and the query by GameID would still be cross-partition, leading to high RU consumption.
- D
Timestamp
Why wrong: Partitioning by Timestamp could lead to hot partitions and does not help queries that filter by GameID; the query would require scanning across partitions.
Quick Answer
The answer is GameID. Choosing GameID as the partition key for common queries in Cosmos DB minimizes Request Unit (RU) consumption because the most frequent query filters on GameID, allowing Cosmos DB to route the request directly to the single physical partition holding that game’s data, avoiding a costly cross-partition fan-out. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that an effective partition key should match the filter in your most common query to ensure efficient index lookup and data retrieval. A common trap is selecting PlayerID, which would scatter scores across partitions and force a scan of every partition for each game query, dramatically increasing RU cost. Remember the memory tip: “Partition key equals query filter key” — if your query says WHERE GameID = X, your partition key should be GameID.
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 gaming company stores player game scores in Azure Cosmos DB. Each document contains PlayerID, GameID, Score, Timestamp. The most common query is: 'Get all scores for a specific game ordered by score descending'. Which partition key should be chosen to minimize Request Unit (RU) consumption?
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
GameID
GameID is the correct partition key because the most common query filters on GameID, and Cosmos DB routes queries to the exact physical partition(s) containing that GameID. This avoids cross-partition fan-out, minimizing RU consumption. A partition key that matches the query filter ensures efficient index lookup and data retrieval.
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.
- ✗
PlayerID
Why it's wrong here
Using PlayerID would distribute a player's scores across game partitions? Actually, each document has a single PlayerID and GameID. If partitioned by PlayerID, all scores for a player are together, but querying by GameID would need to touch all partitions.
- ✓
GameID
Why this is correct
Partitioning by GameID collocates all scores for a game in one partition, so the query targeting a specific GameID is a single-partition query, consuming fewer RUs.
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.
- ✗
Score
Why it's wrong here
Partitioning by Score would distribute documents with the same score across partitions, and the query by GameID would still be cross-partition, leading to high RU consumption.
- ✗
Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Partitioning by Timestamp could lead to hot partitions and does not help queries that filter by GameID; the query would require scanning across partitions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often pick PlayerID thinking it uniquely identifies each player, but they overlook that the query filters on GameID, making GameID the only partition key that avoids cross-partition queries and minimizes RU consumption.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cosmos DB uses the partition key to hash documents into logical partitions, each stored on a physical partition. When the query filter includes the partition key (e.g., WHERE GameID = 'X'), the query engine routes directly to the partition(s) holding that key, using the index without a fan-out. Choosing a partition key with high cardinality (many unique values) and even request distribution avoids throttling and hot partitions; GameID typically satisfies both criteria for this workload.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DP-900 questions
982 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DP-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DP-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe core data concepts practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe core data concepts.
Describe an analytics workload on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe an analytics workload on Azure.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Identify considerations for relational data on Azure.
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure.
DP-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 fundamentals.
DP-900 scenario practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 scenario.
DP-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DP-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
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: GameID — GameID is the correct partition key because the most common query filters on GameID, and Cosmos DB routes queries to the exact physical partition(s) containing that GameID. This avoids cross-partition fan-out, minimizing RU consumption. A partition key that matches the query filter ensures efficient index lookup and data retrieval.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DP-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A mobile game company stores player scores in Azure Cosmos DB. Each document contains the fields PlayerID (unique to the player), GameID, Score, and Timestamp. The most common query is: 'Retrieve all scores for a specific GameID, ordered by Score descending.' Which property should be chosen as the partition key to minimize Request Unit (RU) consumption?
medium- A.PlayerID
- ✓ B.GameID
- C.Score
- D.Timestamp
Why B: GameID is the correct partition key because the most common query filters on GameID, and using it as the partition key ensures that all documents for a given GameID are stored in the same physical partition. This allows the query to target a single partition, minimizing cross-partition fan-out and reducing Request Unit (RU) consumption. A partition key that matches the query filter is essential for efficient, low-latency reads in Azure Cosmos DB.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.