Which mode must the semantic models in the Research division workspaces use?

• A. Import mode
• B. Direct Query mode
• C. Direct Lake mode
• D. Cached mode

Answer: (C)

Direct Lake mode enables semantic models to access data directly from a lakehouse without importing it. For Research division workspaces, this means you can analyze large, frequently updated datasets stored in the data lake while avoiding data duplication and still getting up-to-date results. Import mode would pull data into the model, adding storage and maintenance overhead; Direct Query mode would push queries to the source and can face performance and capability limitations with lakehouse data; Cached mode relies on in-memory results that may not reflect the latest data. Direct Lake mode fits the need for scalable, current analysis on lakehouse data.