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 are characteristics of structured data? (Choose two.)
No predefined schema
Why wrong: That describes unstructured data.
Stored in rows and columns
Structured data is typically tabular.
Fixed schema
Structured data has a predefined schema.
Key-value pairs
Why wrong: Key-value pairs are for NoSQL.
Schema-on-read
Why wrong: Schema-on-read applies to semi-structured data.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Stored in rows and columns
Structured data is organized in a tabular format with rows and columns, which is the defining characteristic of relational databases like SQL Server or Azure SQL Database. This structure enforces a fixed schema, meaning the data types and relationships are defined before data is entered, ensuring consistency and enabling efficient querying via SQL.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No predefined schema
Why it's wrong here
That describes unstructured data.
Stored in rows and columns
Why this is correct
Structured data is typically tabular.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Fixed schema
Why this is correct
Structured data has a predefined schema.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Key-value pairs
Why it's wrong here
Key-value pairs are for NoSQL.
Schema-on-read
Why it's wrong here
Schema-on-read applies to semi-structured data.
Common exam traps
Microsoft often tests the distinction between 'fixed schema' (structured) and 'schema-on-read' (semi-structured), and candidates mistakenly associate key-value pairs with structured data instead of NoSQL.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, structured data relies on a relational model where tables are defined with columns of specific data types (e.g., INT, VARCHAR) and constraints (e.g., PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY) enforced at the database engine level. In Azure SQL Database, the schema is stored in system catalog views like sys.tables and sys.columns, and data integrity is maintained through ACID transactions. A real-world scenario is a financial ledger where each transaction must have a fixed set of fields (e.g., amount, date, account ID) to ensure accurate reporting and auditing.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Describe core data concepts — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Describe core data concepts 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
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe core data concepts.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe an analytics workload on Azure.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Identify considerations for relational data on Azure.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 fundamentals.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 scenario.
Practise DP-900 questions linked to DP-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Describe core data concepts — This question tests Describe core data concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Stored in rows and columns — Structured data is organized in a tabular format with rows and columns, which is the defining characteristic of relational databases like SQL Server or Azure SQL Database. This structure enforces a fixed schema, meaning the data types and relationships are defined before data is entered, ensuring consistency and enabling efficient querying via SQL.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 30, 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.