DP-900 Describe core data concepts Practice Question
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe core data concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 are characteristics of structured data?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data is organized in rows and columns
Structured data is defined by its organization into rows and columns, typically within a relational database or spreadsheet, where each column represents a specific attribute and each row a record. This tabular format enables efficient querying, sorting, and aggregation using SQL. Option B correctly identifies this core characteristic.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Data is stored in Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB stores semi-structured data, not exclusively structured.
✓
Data conforms to a fixed schema
Why this is correct
Structured data requires a predefined schema.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Data has no predefined schema
Why it's wrong here
This describes unstructured data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the storage location (Azure Cosmos DB) with data structure type, forgetting that Cosmos DB is designed for semi-structured data, not structured data, and that 'tags or markers' (Option A) describe semi-structured formats like JSON or XML, not structured data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Structured data relies on a rigid schema enforced at write-time (schema-on-write), meaning the data must conform to predefined column types, lengths, and constraints before insertion. This contrasts with schema-on-read approaches used by NoSQL systems like Azure Cosmos DB, where the schema is inferred at query time. In practice, structured data is stored in relational database management systems (RDBMS) such as Azure SQL Database, where ACID transactions and normalized schemas ensure data integrity.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Data is organized in rows and columns — Structured data is defined by its organization into rows and columns, typically within a relational database or spreadsheet, where each column represents a specific attribute and each row a record. This tabular format enables efficient querying, sorting, and aggregation using SQL. Option B correctly identifies this core characteristic.
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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Question Discussion
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