Quick Answer
The correct answer is to add retry logic in the Data Factory pipeline for the stored procedure activity. This resolves the deadlock error because, with Read Committed Snapshot Isolation (RCSI) enabled, deadlocks are typically transient conflicts between concurrent transactions rather than persistent schema issues; a retry policy allows the pipeline to re-execute the failed stored procedure after a brief delay, letting the deadlock victim roll back and the winning transaction complete, thereby handling the error with minimal performance impact. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to manage transient faults in Azure Data Factory (ADF) without altering database isolation levels or removing transactional integrity—a common trap is to disable RCSI or break the transaction, but the exam emphasizes cloud-native retry mechanisms. Remember the mnemonic: “Retry, don’t rewrite”—when a stored procedure deadlocks under RCSI, the simplest fix is to add a retry policy in ADF, not to change the database configuration or the procedure’s logic.
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and 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.
You are monitoring an Azure Data Factory pipeline that runs hourly. The pipeline executes a stored procedure in an Azure SQL Database. Recently, you have observed that the pipeline occasionally fails with a 'Deadlock' error when the stored procedure runs. The Azure SQL Database is configured with the 'Read Committed Snapshot' isolation level enabled. You need to resolve the deadlock issue with minimal impact on performance. The stored procedure updates multiple tables in a single transaction and is critical for reporting. What should you do?
Change the stored procedure to use NOLOCK hints
Why wrong: May cause dirty reads and not allowed in some environments
Remove the transaction from the stored procedure
Why wrong: Could lead to data inconsistency
Add retry logic in the Data Factory pipeline for the stored procedure activity
Retries handle transient deadlocks gracefully
Disable the 'Read Committed Snapshot' isolation level
Why wrong: Could increase blocking, not solve deadlocks
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Add retry logic in the Data Factory pipeline for the stored procedure activity
Option A is correct because implementing retry logic in the pipeline will handle transient deadlock errors by re-executing the activity. Option B is wrong because disabling Read Committed Snapshot might reduce concurrency and increase blocking. Option C is wrong because it removes the transaction, risking data inconsistency. Option D is wrong because it does not address the deadlock directly and may not be allowed.
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.
Change the stored procedure to use NOLOCK hints
Why it's wrong here
May cause dirty reads and not allowed in some environments
Remove the transaction from the stored procedure
Why it's wrong here
Could lead to data inconsistency
Add retry logic in the Data Factory pipeline for the stored procedure activity
Why this is correct
Retries handle transient deadlocks gracefully
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Disable the 'Read Committed Snapshot' isolation level
Why it's wrong here
Could increase blocking, not solve deadlocks
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
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — This question tests Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Add retry logic in the Data Factory pipeline for the stored procedure activity — Option A is correct because implementing retry logic in the pipeline will handle transient deadlock errors by re-executing the activity. Option B is wrong because disabling Read Committed Snapshot might reduce concurrency and increase blocking. Option C is wrong because it removes the transaction, risking data inconsistency. Option D is wrong because it does not address the deadlock directly and may not be allowed.
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
This DP-203 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 DP-203 exam.
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