- A
Use columnstore indexes on fact tables
Why wrong: Better for analytics, but may not reduce logical reads for point queries.
- B
Create nonclustered indexes with included columns
Included columns create covering indexes that reduce logical reads.
- C
Disable auto-update statistics
Why wrong: Stale statistics can worsen performance.
- D
Rebuild clustered indexes with higher fill factor
Why wrong: Fill factor affects page splitting, not logical reads.
Question 476 of 997
Reduce Logical Reads with Nonclustered Indexes
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 optimizing an Azure SQL Database that runs a heavy reporting workload. Queries are slow due to high logical reads. Which index strategy should you recommend?
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 nonclustered indexes with included columns
High logical reads indicate that SQL Server is scanning many pages to satisfy queries. Nonclustered indexes with included columns allow queries to be covered entirely by the index, eliminating the need to access the base table (key lookups). This reduces logical reads because all required data is stored in the leaf level of the index, making it the most direct optimization for this symptom.
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.
- ✗
Use columnstore indexes on fact tables
Why it's wrong here
Better for analytics, but may not reduce logical reads for point queries.
- ✓
Create nonclustered indexes with included columns
Why this is correct
Included columns create covering indexes that reduce logical reads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable auto-update statistics
Why it's wrong here
Stale statistics can worsen performance.
- ✗
Rebuild clustered indexes with higher fill factor
Why it's wrong here
Fill factor affects page splitting, not logical reads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse columnstore indexes as the universal solution for reporting workloads, but the question specifically highlights high logical reads from key lookups, which is best addressed by covering indexes with included columns, not by columnstore compression or fill factor adjustments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a nonclustered index is created with included columns, SQL Server stores those columns only at the leaf level of the index B-tree, not in the non-leaf levels. This allows the index to cover a query without touching the clustered index or heap, directly reducing the number of page reads. In a heavy reporting workload with high logical reads, analyzing the most frequent queries and adding covering indexes can reduce logical reads by orders of magnitude, as each key lookup avoided saves a random I/O.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 nonclustered indexes with included columns — High logical reads indicate that SQL Server is scanning many pages to satisfy queries. Nonclustered indexes with included columns allow queries to be covered entirely by the index, eliminating the need to access the base table (key lookups). This reduces logical reads because all required data is stored in the leaf level of the index, making it the most direct optimization for this symptom.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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