DP-900 Practice Questions & Exam Prep — Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
Get exam-ready for DP-900 (Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals) on iPhone or iPad. Azure Mastery uses on-device AI to predict your readiness score, build a personalised study plan, and surface topics you're forgetting. Core study stays on-device and works offline; optional sync uses your private iCloud account.
The exam
What is the DP-900 exam?
DP-900 is the Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals credential — the entry-level exam for anyone working with data in the Microsoft Azure cloud. It's pitched at candidates who have basic familiarity with relational vs non-relational data and transactional vs analytical workloads, but doesn't require database-administration experience. Common audiences include data analysts about to step into Power BI work, software engineers crossing into a data role, and product/operations partners who need to discuss data architecture credibly.
The exam doesn't ask you to write SQL queries from scratch or design a star schema. It expects you to recognise scenarios: structured vs semi-structured vs unstructured data; OLTP vs OLAP workloads; the difference between Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure VMs; when to reach for Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Blob Storage, or Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2; and how Microsoft Fabric's analytics surface fits with Azure Synapse Analytics.
Microsoft updated the DP-900 skills outline on 1 November 2024. Every question in Azure Mastery's DP-900 bank is mapped to the current outline — no leftover questions on retired services. Read the official outline at learn.microsoft.com.
Questions40–60 multiple choice
Duration45 minutes (65 min seat)
Pass score700 / 1000
CostUSD $99 (≈ £77 UK)
ValidityDoesn't expire (Fundamentals)
FormatOnline or test centre
Skills measured · November 2024
DP-900 exam objectives
Four domains, with weights set by Microsoft's November 2024 update. Every domain summary below is paraphrased from the official skills outline; the bullet-level objectives in Azure Mastery are tagged so you always know which domain you're being tested on.
Data skill mapSourcesTransformStoreAnalyse
Core data concepts25–30%
Explore key topics
The conceptual base. Distinguishing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data; identifying common data file formats (CSV, JSON, Parquet, Avro); types of databases (relational vs non-relational, key-value, document, graph, columnar); and the split between transactional (OLTP) and analytical (OLAP) workloads. Also covers the four classic data roles: database administrator, data engineer, data analyst, and data scientist. Around 11–18 questions per sitting.
Relational data on Azure20–25%
Explore key topics
Relational concepts — tables, indexes, views, normalization — and the SQL Server family on Azure: Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs, plus open-source services for PostgreSQL and MySQL. Expect scenario questions like "single-tenant on-prem migration" → SQL Managed Instance, or "cloud-native serverless app" → Azure SQL Database. Around 8–15 questions.
Non-relational data on Azure15–20%
Explore key topics
Smallest domain by weight but tonally distinct. Covers Azure Cosmos DB (and its API options — NoSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table) and Azure Storage services for non-relational data: Blob containers, file shares, Data Lake Storage Gen2, table storage. Strong on "which storage tier?" questions. Around 6–12 questions.
Analytics workloads on Azure25–30%
Explore key topics
The largest domain (tied with core concepts). Modern data warehousing concepts; Microsoft Fabric and Azure Synapse Analytics; ingestion services (Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse pipelines); real-time streaming (Azure Stream Analytics); and the data-visualisation surface — Power BI, including dashboards, reports, and the role of Power BI Desktop vs Power BI Service. Around 11–18 questions.
Designed for DP-900
How Azure Mastery helps you pass DP-900
Azure Mastery ships with 360 DP-900 practice questions, every one written specifically against the current (November 2024) skills outline. Each question carries a domain tag mapped to the official four domains (core data concepts, relational data, non-relational data, analytics workloads), so you always know which area you're being tested on and where your weak spots are clustered.
The on-device Exam IQ engine predicts your DP-900 score before you sit the exam. After roughly 30 questions it has enough signal to give a confidence-scored prediction (e.g. "786 ±37, 68% confidence") — and tells you the specific topics that are dragging your readiness down. No vague "study more" advice; just a ranked list of objectives where improvement would move your score the furthest.
The adaptive study plan rebuilds itself from your answer history. Get something wrong on Azure SQL Database vs Managed Instance? You'll see another SQL-family question in the next session. Master "describe OLTP vs OLAP" three sessions running and the engine backs off, surfacing fresh Cosmos DB or Microsoft Fabric scenarios. The plan optimises for the gap between where you are and the 700 pass score, not for blind volume.
Knowledge decay tracking is the secret weapon for foundational exams like DP-900. The same domain you mastered six weeks ago is the domain you'll forget by exam day if you stop revising. Azure Mastery tracks every topic's decay curve and flags topics approaching expiry — the padlock icon on the Today screen is your "revisit before you forget" cue.
Real exam simulation mode runs at DP-900's actual length and time pressure: a randomised question set drawn from the full 360-question bank, 45-minute timer, no jumping back to flag-and-review. It's the closest you can get to the test centre experience without sitting the exam.
Answer Coach turns each missed answer into a private, grounded lesson: the misconception, key distinction, and rule to remember. It always uses authored certification guidance; on supported devices, an optional on-device model may rewrite the note only when it passes grounding checks.
During your first week, Aura adapts the next step as you go. Every session ends with a concise recap of what changed, what to focus on, and the best follow-up.
Everything essential runs on-device. Your answer history, readiness gauge, and coaching stay private. Optional sync uses your private iCloud account; there is no Azure Mastery account, tracking, or external processing server.
2-week revision plan
Suggested DP-900 study plan
Most candidates with prior IT experience pass DP-900 after one to two weeks of focused revision. Below is a two-week plan that maps onto Azure Mastery's domains, simulator, and decay alerts. Adjust pace to taste — the readiness gauge tells you when you're done, not the calendar.
Build the mental map
Days 1–2: Tackle Core data concepts first. Largest by weight (25–30%) and the conceptual foundation. 30 questions per session, two sessions per day.
Days 3–4:Relational data on Azure. The SQL family service triangle (Database / Managed Instance / SQL on VM) is the single biggest scenario question.
Days 5–6:Non-relational data on Azure. Cosmos DB API options + Azure Storage tiers. Smallest domain — high ratio of questions to study time.
Day 7:Analytics workloads on Azure. Microsoft Fabric vs Synapse Analytics, Data Factory, Stream Analytics, Power BI.
Sharpen and simulate
Days 8–10: Run the Focus Weak Spots session every morning. The app surfaces the 5–10 questions most likely to move your readiness score.
Days 11–12: Run the Exam Simulator end-to-end at full 45-minute length. Twice. Review carefully after each.
Day 13: One more simulator run. If you're scoring 750+ consistently, schedule the exam.
Day 14: Light review only. Sleep well. Sit the exam.
Inside the app
Every Microsoft question type, on iPhone
DP-900's question bank uses the same formats Microsoft puts on the live exam — not just multiple choice. Each visualisation below is a faithful mock of how the type renders inside Azure Mastery on iPhone and iPad. Exam-simulator mode runs all of them at full 45-minute length with no flag-and-review jumps, mirroring Pearson VUE.
Which file format stores data as plain text with values separated by commas?
Parquet
Avro
CSV
ORC
Multiple choice
A real DP-900 question-bank example with one correct answer. The app explains every option after you answer.
Exam-specific sample
Which TWO of the following file formats use columnar storage? Select TWO.
CSV
Parquet
ORC
Avro
Multi-select
A real DP-900 multi-select item. Every required selection must be correct to earn the mark.
All-or-nothing
Arrange the steps of an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) process in the correct order.
⋮⋮1Extract data from source systems
⋮⋮2Transform data to match the target schema and apply business rules
⋮⋮3Load the transformed data into the destination data store
Drag-and-drop
A real DP-900 interactive-format prompt, rendered for touch on iPhone and iPad.
Interactive item
Select the tasks that are the responsibility of a Data Engineer.
Hotspot
A real DP-900 prompt that tests recognition inside a visual or contextual interface.
Tap target
Adventure Works BI Deployment Adventure Works is a bicycle manufacturer with 500 employees. The company has recently deployed Azure Synapse Analytics as their data warehouse and needs to implement a…
1Which Power BI feature should be used to ensure that sales managers only see…
2Which Power BI capability should the finance team use for the print-ready…
Case studies
A real DP-900 case-study scenario with linked questions that share the same requirements and environment.
Multi-question
✕Your answer: Parquet
✨ Answer Coach:Parquet, Avro, and ORC are binary formats optimized for different data processing scenarios.
— grounded in authored certification guidance
Answer Coach
Answer Coach uses the bank's authored rationale to explain the misconception, key distinction, and rule to remember. On supported devices, an optional on-device model may rewrite the note only when it passes grounding checks.
App exclusive
Frequently asked
DP-900 FAQs
How much does the DP-900 exam cost?
The DP-900 voucher is USD $99 in the United States. Pricing varies by region — in the UK it's typically around £77. Microsoft sometimes runs free-voucher promotions for events such as Microsoft Build or Microsoft Ignite, so check your Microsoft Learn profile for any active offers before booking.
Does the DP-900 certification expire?
No. Microsoft Fundamentals certifications — including AZ-900, DP-900, AI-901, MS-900, and PL-900 — do not expire. Once you pass, the certification is yours for life. (This is different from Associate and Expert certifications such as DP-300 or AZ-104, which require an annual free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.)
What is the DP-900 retake policy if I fail?
The first retake is allowed after 24 hours. Second and third retakes each require a 14-day wait. Microsoft caps retakes at five attempts per 12-month rolling period. Each attempt requires a new voucher purchase.
How long should I study for DP-900?
Most candidates with prior IT experience pass after one to two weeks of focused revision. If cloud computing is genuinely new to you, plan for three to four weeks. Azure Mastery's readiness gauge will tell you when you're at exam-ready — don't book until it shows roughly 720 or higher predicted score with reasonable confidence.
DP-900 vs DP-300 — which should I take first?
DP-900 first if databases aren't already your day job. DP-900 teaches you the data vocabulary (relational vs non-relational, OLTP vs OLAP, the SQL-family service triangle, Cosmos DB API options) without expecting hands-on T-SQL. DP-300 is the role-based Database Administrator Associate exam — it expects you to manage Azure SQL workloads in production, write queries, and configure HA/DR. Most candidates pass DP-900 in a few weeks, then spend two to three months on DP-300.
Is DP-900 worth taking if I'm not technical?
Yes — Microsoft positions DP-900 for both technical and non-technical candidates. Data analysts about to step into Power BI work, software engineers crossing into a data role, and product managers responsible for analytics architecture all sit DP-900. The exam doesn't ask you to write SQL queries. It asks you to recognise scenarios — "which Azure SQL service for this workload?" or "which storage tier for this access pattern?" — and pick the correct option.
Where DP-900 fits
Certification paths that start with DP-900
DP-900 is the foundational entry point for Microsoft's Data and BI role-based tracks. It's optional but strongly recommended — Microsoft markets it as preparation for the Database Administrator and Data Engineer Associate paths, even though it's not a formal prerequisite. If your interest is general Azure infrastructure, look at AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) instead.
Database Administrator path
Associate tier
DP-900Fundamentals
DP-300Database Administrator Associate
MLOps and GenAIOps path
Associate tier
DP-900Fundamentals
AI-901recommended sibling
AI-300MLOps Engineer Associate
Power BI Data Analyst path
Associate tier
DP-900Fundamentals
PL-300Power BI Data Analyst Associate
After DP-900
Related certifications
DP-900 sits at the entry point of Microsoft's Data and BI tracks. Most candidates progress sideways to a sibling Fundamentals exam first, or step up to DP-300, PL-300, or AI-300 once they're ready for hands-on Associate-level work.
Ready to pass DP-900?
Download Azure Mastery free. 360 DP-900 practice questions, AI score prediction, and a personalised study plan that adapts to your weak spots. iPhone & iPad.
