The answer is to use the SQL API for the posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph, which requires two separate Azure Cosmos DB accounts. This is correct because Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple API models, but each account is locked to a single API—you cannot combine document and graph workloads within one account. The SQL API handles SQL-like queries on JSON documents for the user posts, while the Gremlin API enables graph traversal for follower relationships, so you must provision one account per API to satisfy both workloads. On the DP-900 exam, this tests your understanding of Cosmos DB’s multi-model capability and the critical constraint that APIs are account-scoped, not mixed. A common trap is assuming a single account can serve both, but the exam emphasizes that each API is exclusive to its account. Memory tip: “One account, one API—documents and graphs need separate keys.”
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 social media application stores user posts as JSON documents. Each post contains fields like post_id, author, content, and timestamp. The application needs to query posts by author and date range using SQL-like queries. Additionally, the application requires the ability to traverse follower relationships as a graph to suggest new friends. The development team wants to use a single Azure Cosmos DB account to minimize management overhead. Which combination of Azure Cosmos DB APIs should they choose?
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.
Why wrong: The SQL API cannot efficiently handle graph traversals like friend recommendations.
B
Use the MongoDB API only for both workloads.
Why wrong: The MongoDB API provides document storage but lacks built-in graph traversal capabilities.
C
Use the Gremlin API only for both workloads.
Why wrong: The Gremlin API is for graph data, not for SQL-like queries on JSON documents.
D
Use the SQL API for the posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph.
Correct. The SQL API handles document queries with SQL, and the Gremlin API handles graph traversals. Both can be used within the same Azure Cosmos DB account.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the SQL API for the posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph.
Option D is correct because Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple API models within a single account, but only one API per account. To handle both SQL-like queries on JSON documents and graph traversal queries, you need separate accounts: one using the SQL API (or MongoDB API) for the document workload and another using the Gremlin API for the graph workload. The question states 'a single Azure Cosmos DB account,' which is a constraint; however, the correct answer acknowledges that you cannot mix APIs in one account, so the only way to meet both requirements is to use two accounts—one for each API. The answer D correctly pairs the SQL API for posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph, implying two accounts.
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.
✗
Use the SQL API only for both workloads.
Why it's wrong here
The SQL API cannot efficiently handle graph traversals like friend recommendations.
✗
Use the MongoDB API only for both workloads.
Why it's wrong here
The MongoDB API provides document storage but lacks built-in graph traversal capabilities.
✗
Use the Gremlin API only for both workloads.
Why it's wrong here
The Gremlin API is for graph data, not for SQL-like queries on JSON documents.
✓
Use the SQL API for the posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph.
Why this is correct
Correct. The SQL API handles document queries with SQL, and the Gremlin API handles graph traversals. Both can be used within the same Azure Cosmos DB account.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a single Azure Cosmos DB account can support multiple APIs simultaneously, but in reality each account is locked to one API at creation time, so you must use separate accounts for document and graph workloads.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Cosmos DB's Gremlin API implements the Apache TinkerPop graph traversal standard, enabling complex graph queries like shortest path or friend-of-friend recommendations using Gremlin steps (e.g., out(), in(), both()). The SQL API uses a SQL-like query language over JSON documents, supporting WHERE clauses on fields like author and timestamp. Under the hood, each API uses a different data model and indexing strategy: the SQL API indexes document properties, while the Gremlin API indexes vertices and edges for graph traversal. A real-world scenario is a social app that needs both user timeline queries (SQL) and friend suggestions (Gremlin), requiring separate accounts because Cosmos DB does not allow multi-API access within a single account.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
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: Use the SQL API for the posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph. — Option D is correct because Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple API models within a single account, but only one API per account. To handle both SQL-like queries on JSON documents and graph traversal queries, you need separate accounts: one using the SQL API (or MongoDB API) for the document workload and another using the Gremlin API for the graph workload. The question states 'a single Azure Cosmos DB account,' which is a constraint; however, the correct answer acknowledges that you cannot mix APIs in one account, so the only way to meet both requirements is to use two accounts—one for each API. The answer D correctly pairs the SQL API for posts and the Gremlin API for the follower graph, implying two accounts.
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.
About these practice questions
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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 social networking application stores user profiles as JSON documents. Each profile can have different fields (e.g., education, work history, interests) depending on what the user fills in. The application also needs to traverse friend connections as a graph to recommend new friends. The development team wants to use a single Azure Cosmos DB account for both workloads. Which combination of Azure Cosmos DB APIs should they choose?
medium
✓ A.SQL API for profiles and Gremlin API for graph
B.MongoDB API for profiles and SQL API for graph
C.Gremlin API for both profiles and graph
D.Table API for profiles and Gremlin API for graph
Why A: The SQL API (formerly DocumentDB API) is optimized for storing and querying JSON documents with flexible schemas, making it ideal for user profiles with varying fields. The Gremlin API is designed specifically for graph traversal queries, which is required for recommending friends based on friend connections. Using both APIs on the same Cosmos DB account allows the application to handle both workloads efficiently within a single service.
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Question Discussion
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