- A
Nonclustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
This covering index includes all columns needed by the query (Quantity, UnitPrice) as included columns, and the key columns (ProductID, SaleDate) support efficient filtering. The query can be satisfied entirely from the index without key lookups.
- B
Nonclustered index on (SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Why wrong: This index has SaleDate as the key, but the query also filters on ProductID. Without ProductID as a key column, the database may need to scan many rows for each date range, leading to poor performance.
- C
Clustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate)
Why wrong: A clustered index defines the physical order and includes all columns, but changing the clustered index order would require reordering the entire table, which may cause fragmentation and impact other queries. Additionally, a covering nonclustered index is often lighter for this specific query.
- D
Nonclustered index on (ProductID) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Why wrong: This index includes ProductID as the key, but the query also filters on SaleDate. Without SaleDate in the key, the database would need to scan all rows for the given ProductID and then apply a residual predicate on SaleDate, which is less efficient.
DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify considerations for 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 company has a table named 'Sales' in Azure SQL Database with columns: SaleID (int, primary key), ProductID (int), SaleDate (datetime), Quantity (int), UnitPrice (decimal), TotalAmount (computed column). Queries frequently run to retrieve the total Quantity and UnitPrice for a specific ProductID over a date range. The query filters on ProductID and SaleDate and selects only Quantity and UnitPrice. Which index would most improve query performance?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
Nonclustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Option A is correct because it creates a covering nonclustered index that supports both the WHERE clause (ProductID, SaleDate) and the SELECT clause (Quantity, UnitPrice) without needing to access the base table. The index key order matches the query filter, and the included columns avoid key lookups, minimizing I/O for the frequent aggregation queries.
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.
- ✓
Nonclustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Why this is correct
This covering index includes all columns needed by the query (Quantity, UnitPrice) as included columns, and the key columns (ProductID, SaleDate) support efficient filtering. The query can be satisfied entirely from the index without key lookups.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Nonclustered index on (SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Why it's wrong here
This index has SaleDate as the key, but the query also filters on ProductID. Without ProductID as a key column, the database may need to scan many rows for each date range, leading to poor performance.
- ✗
Clustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate)
Why it's wrong here
A clustered index defines the physical order and includes all columns, but changing the clustered index order would require reordering the entire table, which may cause fragmentation and impact other queries. Additionally, a covering nonclustered index is often lighter for this specific query.
- ✗
Nonclustered index on (ProductID) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice)
Why it's wrong here
This index includes ProductID as the key, but the query also filters on SaleDate. Without SaleDate in the key, the database would need to scan all rows for the given ProductID and then apply a residual predicate on SaleDate, which is less efficient.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think a clustered index on the filter columns is always best, but they overlook that a nonclustered index with included columns can provide a covering index that avoids costly key lookups, especially when the SELECT list is a subset of columns.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, SQL Server uses the index key columns for seek operations and then retrieves included columns from the leaf-level pages without touching the clustered index or heap. For range queries on SaleDate, a composite index with ProductID as the leading column allows an index seek on ProductID followed by a range scan on SaleDate, which is far more efficient than a full scan. In real-world scenarios, this pattern is common for time-series data where aggregations are filtered by a dimension (e.g., product) and a date range.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DP-900 questions
982 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DP-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DP-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe core data concepts practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe core data concepts.
Describe an analytics workload on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe an analytics workload on Azure.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Identify considerations for relational data on Azure.
Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure.
DP-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 fundamentals.
DP-900 scenario practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 scenario.
DP-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DP-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-900 question test?
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for 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: Nonclustered index on (ProductID, SaleDate) INCLUDE (Quantity, UnitPrice) — Option A is correct because it creates a covering nonclustered index that supports both the WHERE clause (ProductID, SaleDate) and the SELECT clause (Quantity, UnitPrice) without needing to access the base table. The index key order matches the query filter, and the included columns avoid key lookups, minimizing I/O for the frequent aggregation queries.
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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.