- A
Azure Cosmos DB (SQL API)
Why wrong: Azure Cosmos DB SQL API is a fully managed NoSQL database with global distribution and low latency, but it is more expensive than Azure Table Storage for a simple single-region key-value workload.
- B
Azure Cosmos DB (Table API)
Why wrong: Azure Cosmos DB Table API provides the same Table Storage features but with global distribution and higher throughput, resulting in higher cost. It is not the most cost-effective choice here.
- C
Azure Table Storage
Azure Table Storage is a cost-efficient NoSQL key-value store that offers low-latency access for simple data without complex querying. It is the best choice given the single-region requirement and cost constraint.
- D
Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Azure SQL Database is a relational database management system intended for structured data with complex queries. Using it for simple key-value pairs would be unnecessarily expensive and not aligned with its design.
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Table Storage. This is the correct choice because it delivers a cost-effective key-value store on Azure for North America without global distribution, offering single-digit millisecond latency for reads and writes within a single region and a pay-per-request pricing model that keeps costs minimal for a startup storing simple user preferences. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match workload requirements—like low cost, regional use, and simple key-value access—to the appropriate Azure data service, with a common trap being to select Azure Cosmos DB Table API, which adds unnecessary global distribution and higher expense. Remember the key distinction: if you don’t need global distribution, Azure Table Storage is the lean, budget-friendly choice. Memory tip: "No globe, no Cosmos—Table Storage is your cost-conscious host."
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 startup develops a mobile application that stores user preferences as simple key-value pairs. The app is only used in North America, and the team needs low-latency reads and writes with minimal cost. They do not require global distribution or complex querying. Which Azure data store should they choose?
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 Table Storage
Azure Table Storage is the correct choice because it provides a cost-effective, low-latency key-value store for simple data like user preferences, with no need for global distribution or complex querying. It offers single-digit millisecond latency for reads and writes within a single region, and its pay-per-request pricing model minimizes cost for a startup. The Table API in Azure Cosmos DB would be overkill and more expensive for this North America-only, non-distributed scenario.
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 (SQL API)
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cosmos DB SQL API is a fully managed NoSQL database with global distribution and low latency, but it is more expensive than Azure Table Storage for a simple single-region key-value workload.
- ✗
Azure Cosmos DB (Table API)
Why it's wrong here
Azure Cosmos DB Table API provides the same Table Storage features but with global distribution and higher throughput, resulting in higher cost. It is not the most cost-effective choice here.
- ✓
Azure Table Storage
Why this is correct
Azure Table Storage is a cost-efficient NoSQL key-value store that offers low-latency access for simple data without complex querying. It is the best choice given the single-region requirement and cost constraint.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database is a relational database management system intended for structured data with complex queries. Using it for simple key-value pairs would be unnecessarily expensive and not aligned with its design.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Cosmos DB Table API with Azure Table Storage, assuming the Cosmos DB version is always better, but they fail to consider the cost implications and the fact that Azure Table Storage is sufficient for simple, single-region key-value workloads without global distribution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Table Storage is a NoSQL key-value store that uses a schema-less design, storing data as entities with a partition key and row key for fast access. Under the hood, it uses a hash-based partitioning scheme to distribute data across storage nodes, ensuring low-latency reads and writes within a single Azure region. A real-world scenario where this matters is a mobile app storing user settings like theme preference or notification toggles, where each user's data is accessed individually and does not require cross-user queries or global replication.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 Table Storage — Azure Table Storage is the correct choice because it provides a cost-effective, low-latency key-value store for simple data like user preferences, with no need for global distribution or complex querying. It offers single-digit millisecond latency for reads and writes within a single region, and its pay-per-request pricing model minimizes cost for a startup. The Table API in Azure Cosmos DB would be overkill and more expensive for this North America-only, non-distributed scenario.
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
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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