The correct answer is Azure SQL Database and Azure Cosmos DB, as both are fully managed Platform as a Service (PaaS) data storage services on Azure. Azure SQL Database provides relational database capabilities without requiring you to manage the underlying server or operating system, while Azure Cosmos DB offers a globally distributed, multi-model NoSQL database that handles infrastructure tasks like patching, replication, and scaling automatically. On the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish PaaS from Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offerings—a common trap is confusing Azure SQL Database with SQL Server on a Virtual Machine, which is IaaS. Remember that PaaS services abstract hardware and OS management, letting you focus purely on data and queries. For a quick memory tip, think “PaaS = Platform, no patching pain”—if you don’t manage the OS or storage hardware, it’s likely PaaS.
DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. 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.
Which TWO of the following Azure services are categorized as Platform as a Service (PaaS) for data storage?
Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed NoSQL PaaS database.
B
Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool
Why wrong: Synapse SQL pool is also PaaS, but we need exactly two; select B and D.
C
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
Why wrong: Data Lake Storage is a storage service (PaaS), but the question expects exactly two; we choose B and D as the most typical PaaS data stores.
D
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS relational database.
E
Azure Virtual Machines with SQL Server
Why wrong: Virtual Machines are IaaS; you manage the OS and software.
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
Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that provides turnkey global distribution, elastic scaling, and multi-model support (document, key-value, graph, column-family). As a PaaS offering, it abstracts infrastructure management—such as hardware provisioning, patching, and replication—allowing developers to focus on data modeling and application logic.
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
Why this is correct
Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed NoSQL PaaS database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool
Why it's wrong here
Synapse SQL pool is also PaaS, but we need exactly two; select B and D.
✗
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
Why it's wrong here
Data Lake Storage is a storage service (PaaS), but the question expects exactly two; we choose B and D as the most typical PaaS data stores.
✓
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS relational database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Virtual Machines with SQL Server
Why it's wrong here
Virtual Machines are IaaS; you manage the OS and software.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 (which is IaaS-level object storage) with a managed database PaaS, or they mistakenly think Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool is a primary data storage service rather than an analytics engine that typically queries data stored elsewhere.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Cosmos DB uses a resource-governed, multi-tenant architecture with automatic indexing of all data and support for multiple consistency models (strong, bounded staleness, session, consistent prefix, eventual). Azure SQL Database runs on a shared platform with built-in high availability via Always On availability groups, automatic tuning, and geo-replication—all managed by Azure without customer access to the underlying OS or hardware. In real-world scenarios, choosing PaaS over IaaS for databases reduces operational overhead but may limit customization, such as requiring specific SQL Server features only available in IaaS.
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 core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Cosmos DB — Azure Cosmos DB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that provides turnkey global distribution, elastic scaling, and multi-model support (document, key-value, graph, column-family). As a PaaS offering, it abstracts infrastructure management—such as hardware provisioning, patching, and replication—allowing developers to focus on data modeling and application logic.
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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