Quick Answer
The correct answer is to rebuild the columnstore indexes on the table. Fragmented columnstore indexes disrupt the metadata that the dedicated SQL pool uses for partition elimination, causing the engine to scan unnecessary partitions instead of pruning them based on the date filter. By rebuilding the indexes, you defragment the data and restore the segment-level metadata, which directly improves partition pruning and accelerates queries filtering on a specific date range. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how index health impacts query performance in Azure Synapse Analytics—a common trap is to assume more partitions or statistics will fix the issue, but fragmentation is the root cause here. Remember the memory tip: “Fragmented indexes fail to filter; rebuild to prune properly.”
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. 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.
A financial services firm uses Azure Synapse Analytics to process daily trade data. The data is stored in a dedicated SQL pool as partitioned tables by date. Recently, queries that filter on a specific date range have become slow. You suspect that partition pruning is not working effectively. What should you do to improve query performance?
Rebuild the columnstore indexes on the table
Rebuilding reduces fragmentation and improves partition pruning.
Convert the table to a rowstore heap
Why wrong: Rowstore is slower for large analytical queries.
Create statistics on the date column
Why wrong: Statistics help but fragmentation is the likely root cause.
Increase the number of partitions for the table
Why wrong: More partitions can increase overhead and not fix fragmentation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Rebuild the columnstore indexes on the table
Option D (Rebuild the columnstore indexes) is correct because fragmented columnstore indexes can cause poor partition pruning and overall slow query performance. Option A (Increase the number of partitions) may worsen performance due to partition overhead. Option B (Switch to rowstore) would degrade performance for large tables. Option C (Create statistics on the date column) helps but is not the primary issue here; the problem is likely index fragmentation.
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.
Rebuild the columnstore indexes on the table
Why this is correct
Rebuilding reduces fragmentation and improves partition pruning.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Convert the table to a rowstore heap
Why it's wrong here
Rowstore is slower for large analytical queries.
Create statistics on the date column
Why it's wrong here
Statistics help but fragmentation is the likely root cause.
Increase the number of partitions for the table
Why it's wrong here
More partitions can increase overhead and not fix fragmentation.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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 DP-203 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.
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FAQ
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Rebuild the columnstore indexes on the table — Option D (Rebuild the columnstore indexes) is correct because fragmented columnstore indexes can cause poor partition pruning and overall slow query performance. Option A (Increase the number of partitions) may worsen performance due to partition overhead. Option B (Switch to rowstore) would degrade performance for large tables. Option C (Create statistics on the date column) helps but is not the primary issue here; the problem is likely index fragmentation.
Identify which DP-203 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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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