Question 442 of 851

Develop data processing →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

DP-203 Develop data processing Practice Question

This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.

Your company uses Azure Synapse Analytics to run a data warehouse. You have a dedicated SQL pool with a hash-distributed fact table named Sales. The distribution column is ProductID. You notice that queries against the Sales table are slow due to data skew. After analysis, you find that a few products (e.g., ProductID 100, 200) account for 80% of the rows. You need to optimize query performance without redesigning the entire table. You also need to minimize data movement during queries. Which action should you take?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

A
Change the distribution to round-robin.
Correct. Round-robin distribution evenly distributes rows, eliminating skew. Although it can increase data movement during joins, it is an effective fix for severe skew without redesign.
B
Increase the number of distributions to 120.
Why wrong: Wrong. Increasing the number of distributions from 60 to 120 does not address the skew; the skewed data will still be concentrated on a few distributions.
C
Change the distribution to replicate for the Sales table.
Why wrong: Wrong. Replicated tables are suitable for small dimension tables, not large fact tables like Sales. Replicating a large table would consume excessive storage and cause high data movement.
D
Create non-clustered indexes on the ProductID column.
Why wrong: Wrong. Non-clustered indexes improve query performance for selective queries but do not solve the underlying distribution skew issue.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Change the distribution to round-robin.

Option A is correct. Round-robin distribution distributes data evenly across distributions, eliminating skew. However, it may increase data movement for joins. Given the severe skew, round-robin is a reasonable trade-off. Option B is wrong because increasing the number of distributions does not fix skew. Option C is wrong because changing to replicate distribution is not suitable for large fact tables. Option D is wrong because creating non-clustered indexes does not address distribution skew.

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.

✓
Change the distribution to round-robin.
Why this is correct
Correct. Round-robin distribution evenly distributes rows, eliminating skew. Although it can increase data movement during joins, it is an effective fix for severe skew without redesign.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the number of distributions to 120.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong. Increasing the number of distributions from 60 to 120 does not address the skew; the skewed data will still be concentrated on a few distributions.
✗
Change the distribution to replicate for the Sales table.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong. Replicated tables are suitable for small dimension tables, not large fact tables like Sales. Replicating a large table would consume excessive storage and cause high data movement.
✗
Create non-clustered indexes on the ProductID column.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong. Non-clustered indexes improve query performance for selective queries but do not solve the underlying distribution skew issue.

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 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

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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

Questions learners often ask

What does this DP-203 question test?

Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Change the distribution to round-robin. — Option A is correct. Round-robin distribution distributes data evenly across distributions, eliminating skew. However, it may increase data movement for joins. Given the severe skew, round-robin is a reasonable trade-off. Option B is wrong because increasing the number of distributions does not fix skew. Option C is wrong because changing to replicate distribution is not suitable for large fact tables. Option D is wrong because creating non-clustered indexes does not address distribution skew.

What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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