DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
A retail company stores product inventory data in a SQL database, customer reviews as JSON files, and product images as JPEG files. Which of the following accurately describes the types of data stored?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume 'data type' is determined by the storage medium (e.g., SQL = structured only) rather than recognizing that a single system can store multiple data types, leading them to overlook the presence of semi-structured and unstructured data.
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. Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data are stored.
The company stores product inventory data in a SQL database, which enforces a fixed schema (tables, rows, columns) and is therefore structured data. Customer reviews stored as JSON files are semi-structured because they have a flexible schema (key-value pairs) but no rigid table structure. Product images as JPEG files are unstructured because they lack any predefined schema or organization. Option D correctly identifies that all three data types are present.
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. Only structured data is stored because the SQL database contains the primary records.
Why it's wrong here
Option A is incorrect because it treats the SQL database as the only data store worth considering. While the inventory records in the SQL database are indeed structured, the company also stores JSON files, which are semi-structured, and JPEG image files, which are unstructured. Therefore 'only structured data' is too narrow and ignores the semi-structured and unstructured data present in the overall dataset.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question stated that all data is stored exclusively in a SQL database, with no mention of JSON or image files, or if the JSON and image data were also stored in SQL tables as strings/blobs, making all data structured.
- ✗
B. Only semi-structured and unstructured data is stored because JSON and images are not purely structured.
Why it's wrong here
Option B is incorrect because it ignores the SQL database. The product inventory records reside in relational tables with a fixed schema of rows and columns, which is the defining characteristic of structured data. Although JSON files are semi-structured and JPEG images are unstructured, the presence of the SQL database means structured data is stored as well, so this option's claim of 'only semi-structured and unstructured data' is false.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question stated that the SQL database was used only for metadata and the primary data sources were JSON files and images, then option B could be correct. For example: 'A company stores product metadata in a SQL database, but all actual product data is in JSON files and images.'
- ✗
C. Only unstructured data is stored because images have no predefined schema.
Why it's wrong here
Option C is incorrect because it overgeneralizes the entire data estate from one file type. The SQL database imposes a rigid schema on inventory records, and the JSON files use key-value pairs with a loose hierarchy, so those are structured and semi-structured respectively; only the JPEG images lack any predefined schema. Since multiple categories exist, saying 'only unstructured data is stored' fails to account for the structured and semi-structured components.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question stated that the company stores only product images as JPEG files and no other data types, then option C would be correct because images are unstructured data with no predefined schema.
- ✓
D. Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data are stored.
Why this is correct
Correct. The SQL database contains structured data (rows and columns), JSON files contain semi-structured data (key-value pairs with some schema flexibility), and JPEG files contain unstructured data (no inherent structure). All three categories are represented.
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.
✓D. Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data are stored.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Correct. The SQL database contains structured data (rows and columns), JSON files contain semi-structured data (key-value pairs with some schema flexibility), and JPEG files contain unstructured data (no inherent structure). All three categories are represented.
✗A. Only structured data is stored because the SQL database contains the primary records.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The company stores JSON files (semi-structured) and JPEG images (unstructured) in addition to the SQL database (structured), so option A incorrectly claims only structured data is stored.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question stated that all data is stored exclusively in a SQL database, with no mention of JSON or image files, or if the JSON and image data were also stored in SQL tables as strings/blobs, making all data structured.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may focus on the SQL database as the 'primary records' and overlook the other data stores, assuming that only the main database matters for data type classification.
✗B. Only semi-structured and unstructured data is stored because JSON and images are not purely structured.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The company stores structured data (SQL database), semi-structured data (JSON files), and unstructured data (JPEG images). Option B incorrectly claims only semi-structured and unstructured data are stored, ignoring the structured SQL data.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question stated that the SQL database was used only for metadata and the primary data sources were JSON files and images, then option B could be correct. For example: 'A company stores product metadata in a SQL database, but all actual product data is in JSON files and images.'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may focus on the non-structured formats (JSON and images) and overlook the SQL database as structured data, especially if they think SQL is only for metadata or not the 'primary' data.
✗C. Only unstructured data is stored because images have no predefined schema.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The company stores structured data (SQL database), semi-structured data (JSON files), and unstructured data (JPEG images). Option C incorrectly claims only unstructured data is stored, ignoring the SQL and JSON data.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question stated that the company stores only product images as JPEG files and no other data types, then option C would be correct because images are unstructured data with no predefined schema.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may focus on the lack of schema in images and overlook the SQL database and JSON files, or mistakenly think JSON is unstructured rather than semi-structured.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Data Roles and Core Concepts
Key term
Data
Data is raw, unprocessed information, like numbers, words, or measurements, that can be stored, processed, and analyzed by computers.
Key term
Table
A table is a structured collection of data organized into rows and columns, used in databases and spreadsheets to store and manage information efficiently.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.