- A
Structured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Unstructured (images)
Product info in a relational table is structured. JSON reviews are semi-structured because they have a flexible schema. JPEG images are unstructured binary data.
- B
Semi-structured (product info), Structured (reviews), Unstructured (images)
Why wrong: Product info is relational and structured, not semi-structured. Reviews are JSON and semi-structured, not structured.
- C
Unstructured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Structured (images)
Why wrong: Product info in a relational table is structured, not unstructured. Images are unstructured, not structured.
- D
Structured (product info), Unstructured (reviews), Semi-structured (images)
Why wrong: JSON reviews are semi-structured, not unstructured. Images are unstructured, not semi-structured.
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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 retail company stores product information in a relational database table with fixed columns: ProductID (integer), Name (string), Price (decimal). They also store customer reviews as JSON documents where each review may contain different fields such as rating, comment, and optional images. Additionally, they store product images as JPEG files in Azure Blob Storage. Which of the following correctly classifies these data types from most structured to least structured?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Structured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Unstructured (images)
Product info in a relational table with fixed columns (ProductID, Name, Price) is structured data. Customer reviews stored as JSON documents, which may have varying fields like rating, comment, and optional images, are semi-structured because they have a flexible schema. Product images stored as JPEG files in Azure Blob Storage are unstructured binary data. This ordering from most to least structured matches option A.
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.
- ✓
Structured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Unstructured (images)
Why this is correct
Product info in a relational table is structured. JSON reviews are semi-structured because they have a flexible schema. JPEG images are unstructured binary data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Semi-structured (product info), Structured (reviews), Unstructured (images)
Why it's wrong here
Product info is relational and structured, not semi-structured. Reviews are JSON and semi-structured, not structured.
- ✗
Unstructured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Structured (images)
Why it's wrong here
Product info in a relational table is structured, not unstructured. Images are unstructured, not structured.
- ✗
Structured (product info), Unstructured (reviews), Semi-structured (images)
Why it's wrong here
JSON reviews are semi-structured, not unstructured. Images are unstructured, not semi-structured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Microsoft often tests the distinction between semi-structured and unstructured data, where candidates mistakenly classify JSON as unstructured because it lacks a fixed schema, but JSON is semi-structured due to its inherent key-value structure and optional fields.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Structured data adheres to a rigid schema, typically enforced by a relational database management system (RDBMS) like Azure SQL Database, with fixed columns and data types. Semi-structured data, such as JSON, uses self-describing tags or attributes (e.g., key-value pairs) and can have optional fields, making it schema-on-read. Unstructured data, like JPEG images, lacks a predefined data model and is stored as binary large objects (BLOBs) in Azure Blob Storage, requiring application-level interpretation.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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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Describe core data concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Describe core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Structured (product info), Semi-structured (reviews), Unstructured (images) — Product info in a relational table with fixed columns (ProductID, Name, Price) is structured data. Customer reviews stored as JSON documents, which may have varying fields like rating, comment, and optional images, are semi-structured because they have a flexible schema. Product images stored as JPEG files in Azure Blob Storage are unstructured binary data. This ordering from most to least structured matches option A.
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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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