- A
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API
Correct. Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API natively stores JSON documents, supports schema-agnostic data, provides SQL-like querying, and offers low-latency point reads by sessionId.
- B
Azure Table Storage
Why wrong: Incorrect. Azure Table Storage is a key-value store that works with simple entities (up to 255 properties) and does not support nested JSON or SQL-like queries on document fields.
- C
Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Incorrect. Azure SQL Database requires a predefined relational schema. Storing varying JSON documents would require schema changes or using JSON columns, but it is not optimized for flexible document storage and global distribution.
- D
Azure Blob Storage
Why wrong: Incorrect. Azure Blob Storage is for storing large binary objects (blobs) like files or images, not for queryable structured documents.
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 social media application stores user sessions as JSON documents. Each session document has fields like sessionId, userId, startTime, endTime, and a list of pageviews. The application needs to quickly retrieve a session by its sessionId and also run queries like 'find all sessions for a user in the last 24 hours' using SQL-like syntax. The data has no fixed schema; different sessions may include additional optional fields like 'deviceType' or 'promotionCode'. Which Azure data store should the company use?
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
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API is the correct choice because it natively supports storing JSON documents with flexible schemas, allows fast point reads by sessionId using a unique identifier, and enables SQL-like queries (e.g., filtering by userId and startTime) with automatic indexing. Its schema-agnostic design handles optional fields like deviceType or promotionCode without requiring schema changes, and it provides low-latency reads essential for real-time session retrieval.
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.
- ✓
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API
Why this is correct
Correct. Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API natively stores JSON documents, supports schema-agnostic data, provides SQL-like querying, and offers low-latency point reads by sessionId.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Azure Table Storage is a key-value store that works with simple entities (up to 255 properties) and does not support nested JSON or SQL-like queries on document fields.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Azure SQL Database requires a predefined relational schema. Storing varying JSON documents would require schema changes or using JSON columns, but it is not optimized for flexible document storage and global distribution.
- ✗
Azure Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Azure Blob Storage is for storing large binary objects (blobs) like files or images, not for queryable structured documents.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Table Storage's key-value simplicity with JSON document support, but Table Storage does not provide SQL-like querying or native JSON handling, making Cosmos DB the only option that combines flexible schema, SQL syntax, and fast point reads.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API uses a resource model where each JSON document is stored as an item in a container, and every item is automatically indexed on all properties by default, enabling efficient queries like SELECT * FROM c WHERE c.userId = 'user123' AND c.startTime >= '2025-03-20T00:00:00Z'. The SQL API supports the JavaScript-like query syntax and can leverage composite indexes for range queries on timestamps. Under the hood, Cosmos DB uses a hash-based partition key (e.g., sessionId) to distribute data across physical partitions, ensuring fast point reads with single-digit millisecond latency.
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
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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: Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API — Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API is the correct choice because it natively supports storing JSON documents with flexible schemas, allows fast point reads by sessionId using a unique identifier, and enables SQL-like queries (e.g., filtering by userId and startTime) with automatic indexing. Its schema-agnostic design handles optional fields like deviceType or promotionCode without requiring schema changes, and it provides low-latency reads essential for real-time session retrieval.
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.
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
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