- A
PlayerID
Why wrong: PlayerID would distribute documents well across partitions, but the most common query filters by GameID, not PlayerID. Queries by GameID would then be cross-partition, requiring a fan-out and higher RU consumption.
- B
GameID
GameID is the filter in the most common query. Using it as the partition key keeps all scores for the same game on one partition, making the query single-partition and efficient.
- C
Score
Why wrong: Score has low cardinality (many players can have the same score) and is not used as a filter in the common query. It would not localize queries and could cause hot partitions.
- D
Timestamp
Why wrong: Timestamp has very high cardinality but is not used as a filter in the common query. Queries by GameID would become cross-partition, increasing RU cost.
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 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?
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 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.
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
PlayerID would distribute documents well across partitions, but the most common query filters by GameID, not PlayerID. Queries by GameID would then be cross-partition, requiring a fan-out and higher RU consumption.
- ✓
GameID
Why this is correct
GameID is the filter in the most common query. Using it as the partition key keeps all scores for the same game on one partition, making the query single-partition and efficient.
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
Score has low cardinality (many players can have the same score) and is not used as a filter in the common query. It would not localize queries and could cause hot partitions.
- ✗
Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Timestamp has very high cardinality but is not used as a filter in the common query. Queries by GameID would become cross-partition, increasing RU cost.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose PlayerID because it is unique and seems like a natural key, but they overlook that a partition key must align with the most common query filter to avoid cross-partition queries and high RU costs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Cosmos DB uses the partition key to distribute data across logical partitions, each with a maximum size of 20 GB. When a query specifies the partition key in the filter (e.g., WHERE GameID = 'X'), the query engine routes the request directly to the single physical partition holding that data, avoiding the expensive cross-partition query execution that requires scanning all partitions. In a real-world scenario, if the game has thousands of GameIDs, using GameID as the partition key ensures even distribution of write traffic and efficient point-reads for leaderboard queries.
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.
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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 — 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 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.
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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