- A
A. Table API
Why wrong: The Table API is designed for key-value storage with a fixed schema; it does not support querying nested JSON fields or flexible schema as effectively as the SQL API.
- B
B. Cassandra API
Why wrong: The Cassandra API uses a wide-column model and CQL (Cassandra Query Language), which is not the same as SQL and may require more complex modeling to handle optional fields.
- C
C. MongoDB API
Why wrong: The MongoDB API supports JSON documents and queries, but it uses MongoDB's query syntax, not standard SQL. While it can meet the requirement, the SQL API is a more natural fit when the team wants SQL-like queries.
- D
D. SQL (Core) API
The SQL API stores JSON documents and supports querying with a SQL dialect. Point reads by partition key (playerId) are low-latency, and SQL queries can easily filter on optional fields like achievements. This makes it the best choice.
Quick Answer
The answer is the SQL (Core) API. This is the correct choice because Azure Cosmos DB’s SQL API natively supports JSON documents with flexible schemas, allowing optional fields like achievements and friendsList without requiring schema changes. It provides low-latency point reads under 10 ms when querying by playerId, which serves as the partition key, and enables SQL-like queries using functions like ARRAY_CONTAINS to filter players with specific achievements. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of which API aligns with JSON document storage and querying needs; a common trap is confusing the Table API (for key-value) or MongoDB API (for BSON) when the requirement explicitly mentions SQL-like syntax. Remember that the SQL API is the default, universal choice for JSON documents in Cosmos DB, and its name directly reflects its ability to run familiar T-SQL queries against schemaless data. A helpful memory tip: think “SQL = Structured Query Language for JSON,” and if the question says “SQL-like queries” or “JSON documents,” the answer is always the SQL (Core) API.
DP-900 SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents. Practice Question
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. A key principle to apply: sQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.. 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 profiles as JSON documents. Each profile includes standard fields like playerId, username, and email, as well as optional fields such as achievements, gamePreferences, and friendsList. The application needs to look up profiles by playerId with low latency (under 10 ms) and also run SQL-like queries to find players who have a specific achievement. Which Azure Cosmos DB API should they choose?
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
D. SQL (Core) API
The SQL (Core) API is the correct choice because it natively supports JSON documents with flexible schemas (including optional fields like achievements) and provides low-latency point reads by playerId (partition key) under 10 ms. It also enables SQL-like queries (e.g., SELECT * FROM c WHERE ARRAY_CONTAINS(c.achievements, 'specificAchievement')) to find players with a specific achievement, which aligns directly with the requirement.
Key principle: SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A. Table API
Why it's wrong here
The Table API is designed for key-value storage with a fixed schema; it does not support querying nested JSON fields or flexible schema as effectively as the SQL API.
- ✗
B. Cassandra API
Why it's wrong here
The Cassandra API uses a wide-column model and CQL (Cassandra Query Language), which is not the same as SQL and may require more complex modeling to handle optional fields.
- ✗
C. MongoDB API
Why it's wrong here
The MongoDB API supports JSON documents and queries, but it uses MongoDB's query syntax, not standard SQL. While it can meet the requirement, the SQL API is a more natural fit when the team wants SQL-like queries.
- ✓
D. SQL (Core) API
Why this is correct
The SQL API stores JSON documents and supports querying with a SQL dialect. Point reads by partition key (playerId) are low-latency, and SQL queries can easily filter on optional fields like achievements. This makes it the best choice.
Related concept
SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose the MongoDB API because it is associated with JSON documents, but they overlook the explicit requirement for SQL-like queries, which only the SQL (Core) API supports natively among the Azure Cosmos DB APIs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the SQL (Core) API stores JSON documents in a schema-agnostic manner and indexes every property by default, enabling efficient point reads via the partition key (playerId) with consistent single-digit millisecond latency. For queries like finding players with a specific achievement, the ARRAY_CONTAINS function leverages the index on the achievements array, avoiding full scans; in real-world scenarios, this is critical for gaming leaderboards or event-driven achievements where query performance must scale with millions of players.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.
- It supports a SQL query language for querying documents.
- Low-latency point reads are achieved using a partition key.
- It handles flexible schemas with optional fields in JSON documents.
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
SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.
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. SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents. 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.
Review sQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: D. SQL (Core) API — The SQL (Core) API is the correct choice because it natively supports JSON documents with flexible schemas (including optional fields like achievements) and provides low-latency point reads by playerId (partition key) under 10 ms. It also enables SQL-like queries (e.g., SELECT * FROM c WHERE ARRAY_CONTAINS(c.achievements, 'specificAchievement')) to find players with a specific achievement, which aligns directly with the requirement.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Review sQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents., then practise related DP-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SQL (Core) API stores data as JSON documents.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
2 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 gaming company stores player profiles as JSON documents. Each profile can have different attributes; for example, some profiles include an 'achievements' field while others include a 'purchaseHistory' field. The application must retrieve profiles by player ID with single-digit-millisecond latency and also support SQL-like queries on any attribute. Which Azure data store should the company use?
medium- A.A. Azure Table Storage
- ✓ B.B. Azure Cosmos DB Core (SQL) API
- C.C. Azure Blob Storage
- D.D. Azure Database for PostgreSQL
Why B: Azure Cosmos DB Core (SQL) API is the correct choice because it natively stores JSON documents with flexible schemas, supports indexing on any attribute for SQL-like queries, and guarantees single-digit-millisecond latency for point reads by player ID. This meets the requirement for both fast key-based lookups and ad-hoc querying across varying profile attributes.
Variation 2. A company stores user profiles as JSON documents. Each profile includes standard fields (userId, name, email) and optional fields (preferences, history). The application needs fast key lookups by userId and SQL-like queries on optional fields. Which Azure Cosmos DB API should they choose?
medium- ✓ A.SQL (Core) API
- B.MongoDB API
- C.Cassandra API
- D.Table API
Why A: The SQL (Core) API is the correct choice because it natively supports JSON documents with flexible schemas, enabling fast key-value lookups on the `userId` field (via automatic indexing) and rich SQL-like querying (e.g., `SELECT * FROM c WHERE c.preferences.theme = 'dark'`) on optional fields. It is the only Azure Cosmos DB API that provides a SQL query syntax directly over JSON, making it ideal for mixed workloads of point reads and ad-hoc queries on nested or optional properties.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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