The answer is the SQL API and Gremlin API combined. This is correct because Azure Cosmos DB allows multiple APIs to operate on the same account, enabling you to store user profiles as JSON documents using the SQL API for flexible querying, while simultaneously using the Gremlin API to model and traverse friend connections as a graph. The key technical concept is that Cosmos DB’s multi-model capability lets you choose the best data model per workload—document for attributes, graph for relationships—without managing separate databases. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of when to use each API, often appearing as a scenario where a single application needs both structured document storage and graph traversal. A common trap is thinking you must pick one API for everything, but the correct approach is to leverage both APIs in one account to minimize complexity. Memory tip: think “Docs for data, Graph for friends”—SQL handles the profile details, Gremlin handles the connections.
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 platform stores user profiles as JSON documents where each profile can have different attributes (e.g., education, work history, interests). The platform also needs to traverse friend connections to recommend new connections using graph queries. The development team wants to use a single Azure Cosmos DB account for both workloads while minimizing complexity. Which combination of Azure Cosmos DB APIs should they choose?
Correct. The SQL API handles JSON document storage and querying, while the Gremlin API enables graph traversal for friend recommendations. Both can be used in the same account.
B
MongoDB API and Table API
Why wrong: MongoDB API is for document storage but does not support graph queries. Table API is for key-value data and lacks graph capabilities.
C
Cassandra API and SQL API
Why wrong: Cassandra API is for wide-column data and does not support graph traversal. While SQL API handles documents, this combination does not provide a graph API.
D
Gremlin API only
Why wrong: Using only Gremlin API would require storing profiles as graph data, which is not optimal for flexible JSON document queries and complicates the document storage.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SQL API and Gremlin API
The correct choice is A because the SQL API provides native JSON document storage and querying for user profiles, while the Gremlin API supports graph traversal for friend connections. Using both APIs in a single Azure Cosmos DB account minimizes complexity by allowing each workload to use the most appropriate data model without managing separate databases.
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.
✓
SQL API and Gremlin API
Why this is correct
Correct. The SQL API handles JSON document storage and querying, while the Gremlin API enables graph traversal for friend recommendations. Both can be used in the same account.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
MongoDB API and Table API
Why it's wrong here
MongoDB API is for document storage but does not support graph queries. Table API is for key-value data and lacks graph capabilities.
✗
Cassandra API and SQL API
Why it's wrong here
Cassandra API is for wide-column data and does not support graph traversal. While SQL API handles documents, this combination does not provide a graph API.
✗
Gremlin API only
Why it's wrong here
Using only Gremlin API would require storing profiles as graph data, which is not optimal for flexible JSON document queries and complicates the document storage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think a single API must serve all workloads, but Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple APIs per account, and the question specifically asks for a combination that minimizes complexity while meeting both document and graph requirements.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Cosmos DB accounts can enable multiple APIs simultaneously, allowing the same data to be accessed via different interfaces; however, each API uses its own data model and query syntax. The SQL API uses SQL-like queries over JSON documents with automatic indexing, while the Gremlin API follows the Apache TinkerPop graph traversal standard, enabling efficient neighbor-finding and path queries for social graphs. In practice, a single account with both APIs lets developers store profile data as documents and friend edges as graph vertices/edges, avoiding data duplication.
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.
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: SQL API and Gremlin API — The correct choice is A because the SQL API provides native JSON document storage and querying for user profiles, while the Gremlin API supports graph traversal for friend connections. Using both APIs in a single Azure Cosmos DB account minimizes complexity by allowing each workload to use the most appropriate data model without managing separate databases.
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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