DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
A logistics company stores shipment tracking data. The shipment ID, destination, and weight are stored in a fixed-schema database table. The shipment's route history is stored as a JSON document where each document can have different fields depending on the route events recorded. Which classification of data best describes the route history data?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse 'structured' with 'organized' and assume JSON is structured because it has keys, but the key differentiator is schema flexibility—structured data enforces a fixed schema, while semi-structured data allows varying fields per record.
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
✓
Semi-structured data
The route history data is stored as JSON documents where each document can have different fields depending on the events recorded. This flexibility in schema—where fields vary per document—is the hallmark of semi-structured data. Unlike structured data with a fixed schema, semi-structured data uses tags or markers (like JSON key-value pairs) to organize the data, making it self-describing.
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 it's wrong here
Structured data is constrained by a fixed, predefined schema, usually a relational table with exact columns, data types, and constraints that every row must satisfy. Shipment route history JSON can contain different keys per document, nested route segments, and optional metadata, so no single table can cleanly enforce it without transformation. This schema flexibility is precisely what disqualifies JSON as structured data.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question described data stored in a fixed-schema table with consistent columns (e.g., shipment ID, destination, weight), then it would be structured data. For example: 'A table with columns for shipment ID, destination, and weight, all with defined data types.'
- ✓
Semi-structured data
Why this is correct
JSON documents representing shipment route history are semi-structured because they use key-value pairs and nested arrays that may vary from one shipment to another. Unlike a rigid relational schema, fields can be added, omitted, or differently typed as tracking events evolve, and the JSON's self-describing nature carries its structural metadata. This places it between fully structured and completely unstructured data.
- ✗
Unstructured data
Why it's wrong here
Unstructured data has no inherent order or schema, typified by raw text, email bodies, images, audio, and video, where meaning requires interpretation rather than parsing fields. JSON, however, always follows a defined syntax with braces, keys, colons, and arrays, giving every shipment record a retrievable property structure. Because structure can be inferred programmatically, JSON is not unstructured.
When this WOULD be correct
A question describing data with no inherent structure, such as a collection of free-text customer reviews or raw video files, where no schema or metadata is imposed. For example: 'A company stores customer feedback as plain text files with no formatting. Which classification?'
- ✗
Analytical data
Why it's wrong here
Analytical data describes how data is used—typically for historical reporting, aggregations, and business intelligence—rather than describing its physical or logical format. The same JSON shipment document could feed an operational API or be copied into a data warehouse for analytics, yet its classification remains semi-structured either way. Therefore, analytical is a purpose-based label, not a competing structure category.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks: 'A company stores historical sales data in a data warehouse for trend analysis. Which classification of data best describes this data?' Here, 'Analytical data' would be correct because the data is used for analysis, not because of its structure.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The DP-900 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Semi-structured dataCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
JSON documents representing shipment route history are semi-structured because they use key-value pairs and nested arrays that may vary from one shipment to another. Unlike a rigid relational schema, fields can be added, omitted, or differently typed as tracking events evolve, and the JSON's self-describing nature carries its structural metadata. This places it between fully structured and completely unstructured data.
✗Structured dataWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Route history data is stored as JSON documents with varying fields, which is semi-structured, not structured. Structured data requires a fixed schema with consistent fields, which does not apply here.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question described data stored in a fixed-schema table with consistent columns (e.g., shipment ID, destination, weight), then it would be structured data. For example: 'A table with columns for shipment ID, destination, and weight, all with defined data types.'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume all database data is structured, overlooking that JSON documents with variable fields are semi-structured. The mention of 'database table' for other data might cause confusion.
✗Unstructured dataWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Route history JSON documents have a schema (fields like route events) even if fields vary per document, making them semi-structured, not unstructured. Unstructured data lacks any predefined schema or organization (e.g., plain text, images).
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question describing data with no inherent structure, such as a collection of free-text customer reviews or raw video files, where no schema or metadata is imposed. For example: 'A company stores customer feedback as plain text files with no formatting. Which classification?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'varying fields' with 'no structure,' assuming that because JSON documents can differ, they are unstructured. They overlook that JSON still has key-value pairs and a lightweight schema.
✗Analytical dataWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Analytical data refers to data used for analysis and reporting, not a classification of data structure. The question asks about the structural classification of route history data, which is semi-structured because it is stored as JSON with varying fields.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks: 'A company stores historical sales data in a data warehouse for trend analysis. Which classification of data best describes this data?' Here, 'Analytical data' would be correct because the data is used for analysis, not because of its structure.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'analytical data' with a structural category, thinking that data used for analysis must be a distinct type, or they may misinterpret the question as asking about the data's purpose rather than its format.
Analysis generated from the official DP-900blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Related to this question
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Data Roles and Core Concepts
Key term
Semi-structured data
Semi-structured data is information that has some organizational tags or markers but does not fit into a strict table format like a spreadsheet row and column.
Key term
Structured data
Structured data is information that is organized in a predefined format, typically in rows and columns, making it easy to search, process, and analyze by computers.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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