- A
Azure Table Storage for images and Azure Cosmos DB (Table API) for logs
Why wrong: Azure Table Storage is designed for structured NoSQL data, not for large binary files like images. The Table API does not support SQL-like queries as effectively as the SQL API.
- B
Azure Blob Storage with a CDN for images and Azure Cosmos DB (SQL API) for logs
Blob Storage efficiently stores unstructured images, and CDN ensures low-latency global access. Cosmos DB SQL API provides SQL-like queries for the varying JSON logs.
- C
Azure Files for images and Azure SQL Database for logs
Why wrong: Azure Files is a file share, not optimized for serving static images globally. Azure SQL Database requires a fixed schema and is less suited for varying JSON structures.
- D
Azure Disk Storage for images and Azure Cosmos DB (MongoDB API) for logs
Why wrong: Disk Storage is for VM disks, not for scalable image storage. The MongoDB API is SQL-like but the SQL API is more straightforward for SQL-like queries in Azure.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is Azure Blob Storage with a CDN for images and Azure Cosmos DB with the SQL API for logs. Azure Blob Storage is purpose-built for storing large binary objects like JPEG images, and pairing it with a CDN caches those images at edge nodes worldwide, achieving the required low-latency reads from any region. For the activity logs, Azure Cosmos DB with the SQL API natively handles JSON documents with varying schemas and supports SQL-like querying, making it ideal for querying logs of different structures. On the DP-900 exam, this question tests your ability to match storage solutions to specific data types and access patterns—a common trap is choosing Azure SQL Database for the logs because of the “SQL” keyword, but remember that Cosmos DB is the correct choice for schema-flexible JSON. Memory tip: think “Blobs for big binaries, Cosmos for changing JSON.”
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 global social media platform stores user profile images (JPEG) and activity logs in JSON format. The logs have varying structures based on the type of activity. The application requires low-latency reads of images from any region and the ability to query logs using SQL-like syntax. Which Azure data storage solution should they use for each data type?
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 Blob Storage with a CDN for images and Azure Cosmos DB (SQL API) for logs
Azure Blob Storage is optimized for storing large binary objects like JPEG images, and integrating it with Azure CDN ensures low-latency reads globally by caching content at edge nodes. Azure Cosmos DB with the SQL API provides native support for querying JSON documents with varying schemas using SQL-like syntax, making it ideal for the activity logs.
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 Table Storage for images and Azure Cosmos DB (Table API) for logs
Why it's wrong here
Azure Table Storage is designed for structured NoSQL data, not for large binary files like images. The Table API does not support SQL-like queries as effectively as the SQL API.
- ✓
Azure Blob Storage with a CDN for images and Azure Cosmos DB (SQL API) for logs
Why this is correct
Blob Storage efficiently stores unstructured images, and CDN ensures low-latency global access. Cosmos DB SQL API provides SQL-like queries for the varying JSON logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Files for images and Azure SQL Database for logs
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files is a file share, not optimized for serving static images globally. Azure SQL Database requires a fixed schema and is less suited for varying JSON structures.
- ✗
Azure Disk Storage for images and Azure Cosmos DB (MongoDB API) for logs
Why it's wrong here
Disk Storage is for VM disks, not for scalable image storage. The MongoDB API is SQL-like but the SQL API is more straightforward for SQL-like queries in Azure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Azure Table Storage (key-value) with Cosmos DB Table API, or assume Azure SQL Database can handle JSON logs via OPENJSON, but the question explicitly requires SQL-like syntax for varying structures, which Cosmos DB SQL API handles natively without schema enforcement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Blob Storage supports three access tiers (hot, cool, archive) and can be paired with Azure CDN from Microsoft (or Verizon/Akamai) to serve images from points of presence (PoPs) closest to users, reducing latency. Cosmos DB's SQL API natively indexes every JSON property by default, enabling efficient queries on semi-structured logs without requiring schema management, and it offers multi-region writes for global distribution.
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
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 Blob Storage with a CDN for images and Azure Cosmos DB (SQL API) for logs — Azure Blob Storage is optimized for storing large binary objects like JPEG images, and integrating it with Azure CDN ensures low-latency reads globally by caching content at edge nodes. Azure Cosmos DB with the SQL API provides native support for querying JSON documents with varying schemas using SQL-like syntax, making it ideal for the activity logs.
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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