DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
You need to monitor the performance of an Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool. Which DMV should you query to find queries that are currently running and their execution status?
⚠ Common exam trap
DP-203 often tests the distinction between DMVs for different purposes; candidates may confuse request-level with step-level or error-level views, but exec_requests is the go-to for current queries.
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
✓
sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests
The correct DMV is sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests, which provides information about all requests currently executing or recently completed on the dedicated SQL pool. It includes status, submit time, and other details, making it the primary view for monitoring active queries. This DMV is specifically designed for tracking request-level execution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
sys.dm_pdw_nodes
Why it's wrong here
sys.dm_pdw_nodes returns one row per compute node describing node configuration and state, not per-query execution status. It is tempting because node-level health matters when diagnosing a pool, and it would be correct when checking whether all compute nodes are online and healthy.
- ✗
sys.dm_pdw_request_steps
Why it's wrong here
sys.dm_pdw_request_steps exposes the individual steps a distributed request is decomposed into, not the request-level status of currently running queries. It is tempting because it does show execution progress, and it would be correct when identifying which step of a slow query is the bottleneck.
- ✗
sys.dm_pdw_errors
Why it's wrong here
sys.dm_pdw_errors returns errors encountered during request processing, so successfully running queries never appear in it. It is tempting because it surfaces failed queries, and it would be correct when investigating why a specific request failed rather than monitoring live execution status.
- ✓
sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests
Why this is correct
sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests returns one row per request with a status column showing Running, Completed, or Failed, plus submit and start times. It satisfies the requirement to identify currently executing queries and their execution status in a dedicated SQL pool.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DP-203
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You need to monitor resource usage for an Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool. Which dynamic management view (DMV) should you query to see current query execution status?
easy- A.sys.dm_pdw_nodes_db_size
- B.sys.dm_pdw_os_performance_counters
- ✓ C.sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests
- D.sys.dm_pdw_nodes_resource_usage
Why C: sys.dm_pdw_exec_requests provides information about all requests currently executing or recently executed in the dedicated SQL pool. Option A (sys.dm_pdw_nodes_db_size) is for database sizes, Option B (sys.dm_pdw_os_performance_counters) is for OS performance counters, Option D (sys.dm_pdw_nodes_resource_usage) is for resource usage.
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
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.