- A
Create a metric alert rule that triggers when average CPU exceeds 90% over 5 minutes.
Why wrong: While alerting is useful, the question asks for actions to configure alerts and troubleshoot, and creating an autoscale rule is a proactive action.
- B
Scale up the App Service plan to a higher tier to ensure sufficient resources.
Why wrong: Scaling up increases resources but does not automatically scale based on load; autoscale is needed.
- C
Create a Log Analytics workspace and configure diagnostic settings to send platform logs.
A Log Analytics workspace is required to collect and analyze diagnostic logs for troubleshooting.
- D
Enable Application Insights and configure autoscale based on custom metrics.
Why wrong: Application Insights is for application performance monitoring, not for autoscaling based on custom metrics easily.
- E
Create an autoscale rule for the App Service plan to scale out when CPU > 80%.
An autoscale rule based on CPU percentage can help handle intermittent high CPU usage by scaling out.
Quick Answer
The correct actions are to create an autoscale rule for the App Service plan to scale out when CPU exceeds 80% and to configure a Log Analytics workspace for diagnostic log analysis. This combination directly addresses intermittent high CPU usage by enabling automatic scaling to handle load spikes while also providing the logging infrastructure needed to troubleshoot root causes. On the AZ-204 exam, this question tests your understanding that autoscale rules operate at the App Service plan level, not the app level, and that Log Analytics is the prerequisite for collecting and querying platform logs. A common trap is confusing Application Insights, which monitors application performance, with the diagnostic logging required for infrastructure troubleshooting. Remember the mnemonic “Scale out, log in” — scale out horizontally with autoscale rules, and log into Log Analytics for deep troubleshooting.
AZ-204 Practice Question: Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize azure solutions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
You are monitoring an Azure App Service web app that is experiencing intermittent high CPU usage. You need to configure alerts and troubleshoot the issue. Which TWO actions should you take? (Choose two.)
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
Create a Log Analytics workspace and configure diagnostic settings to send platform logs.
Option A is correct: A Log Analytics workspace is required to collect and analyze diagnostic logs for troubleshooting. Option D is correct: An autoscale rule based on CPU percentage can help handle intermittent high CPU usage by scaling out. Option B is wrong: Application Insights is for application performance monitoring, not for autoscaling based on custom metrics easily. Option C is wrong: Scaling up increases resources but does not automatically scale based on load; autoscale is needed. Option E is wrong: While Log Analytics helps, the question asks for actions to configure alerts and troubleshoot, and creating an autoscale rule is a proactive action.
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.
- ✗
Create a metric alert rule that triggers when average CPU exceeds 90% over 5 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
While alerting is useful, the question asks for actions to configure alerts and troubleshoot, and creating an autoscale rule is a proactive action.
- ✗
Scale up the App Service plan to a higher tier to ensure sufficient resources.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up increases resources but does not automatically scale based on load; autoscale is needed.
- ✓
Create a Log Analytics workspace and configure diagnostic settings to send platform logs.
Why this is correct
A Log Analytics workspace is required to collect and analyze diagnostic logs for troubleshooting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Application Insights and configure autoscale based on custom metrics.
Why it's wrong here
Application Insights is for application performance monitoring, not for autoscaling based on custom metrics easily.
- ✓
Create an autoscale rule for the App Service plan to scale out when CPU > 80%.
Why this is correct
An autoscale rule based on CPU percentage can help handle intermittent high CPU usage by scaling out.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Identify which AZ-204 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
- →
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-204 questions
997 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Developer Associate AZ-204 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-204 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-204 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Develop Azure compute solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to Develop Azure compute solutions.
Develop for Azure storage practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to Develop for Azure storage.
Implement Azure security practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to Implement Azure security.
Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services.
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions.
AZ-204 fundamentals practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to AZ-204 fundamentals.
AZ-204 scenario practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to AZ-204 scenario.
AZ-204 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise AZ-204 questions linked to AZ-204 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-204 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions — This question tests Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Log Analytics workspace and configure diagnostic settings to send platform logs. — Option A is correct: A Log Analytics workspace is required to collect and analyze diagnostic logs for troubleshooting. Option D is correct: An autoscale rule based on CPU percentage can help handle intermittent high CPU usage by scaling out. Option B is wrong: Application Insights is for application performance monitoring, not for autoscaling based on custom metrics easily. Option C is wrong: Scaling up increases resources but does not automatically scale based on load; autoscale is needed. Option E is wrong: While Log Analytics helps, the question asks for actions to configure alerts and troubleshoot, and creating an autoscale rule is a proactive action.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-204 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 21, 2026
This AZ-204 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 AZ-204 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.