DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
Which TWO Azure services can be used to monitor and analyze query performance in Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool?
⚠ Common exam trap
DP-203 often tests the distinction between real-time diagnostic tools (DMVs) and historical monitoring services (Azure Monitor), causing candidates to overlook DMVs as a monitoring option or confuse Azure Advisor's recommendations with actual performance monitoring.
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
✓
Azure Monitor with Log Analytics
Azure Monitor with Log Analytics (D) is correct because dedicated SQL pool emits diagnostic logs and metrics (e.g., DmvLogs, QueryStoreRuntimeStatistics, ExecRequests) that can be routed to a Log Analytics workspace, where KQL queries and workbooks are used to monitor and analyze query performance over time. Dynamic Management Views (E) are correct because T-SQL DMVs such as sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests, sys.dm_pdw_exec_sessions, sys.dm_pdw_request_steps, and sys.dm_pdw_sql_requests expose real-time execution details, wait statistics, and step-level timings for queries running in the dedicated SQL pool. SQL Data Sync (A) is incorrect because it is a data synchronization service for Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance, not a query performance monitoring tool for Synapse dedicated SQL pools. Azure Policy (B) is incorrect because it enforces governance and compliance rules on resources, not query performance analysis. Azure Advisor (C) is incorrect because it provides general best-practice recommendations (cost, reliability, performance) at the resource level, not detailed query-level monitoring or analysis for dedicated SQL pools.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SQL Data Sync
Why it's wrong here
SQL Data Sync replicates data between Azure SQL databases and Synapse; it does not capture query execution statistics. It suits keeping database copies consistent, whereas DMVs, Query Store and Log Analytics workspace queries surface Synapse dedicated SQL pool query performance.
- ✗
Azure Policy
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy enforces resource configuration and compliance rules; it records no query execution metrics or wait statistics. It suits governance guardrails, while dedicated SQL pool query performance is analysed through DMVs, Query Store and Log Analytics diagnostic queries.
- ✗
Azure Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Azure Advisor surfaces cost, security and reliability recommendations, not query-level telemetry; it cannot show execution plans or wait statistics for dedicated SQL pool queries. It is tempting because it does flag Synapse performance suggestions, but Query Store and Dynamic Management Views are the actual monitoring tools.
- ✓
Azure Monitor with Log Analytics
Why this is correct
Dedicated SQL pool emits query execution metrics to Azure Monitor, and Log Analytics stores and queries them via KQL. This satisfies the monitoring requirement by correlating DMV-level query performance data across the pool, which neither storage nor networking services provide.
- ✓
Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)
Why this is correct
Dynamic Management Views expose live execution statistics such as query waits, request history, and step-level timings within the dedicated SQL pool. This satisfies the requirement to monitor and analyse query performance directly against the running engine rather than relying on external telemetry.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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