The correct answer is to increase the max size of the database. This resolves the error because the General Purpose tier in Azure SQL Database enforces a storage limit at the database level, not the log file level; when the total allocated space hits the configured maximum, the engine cannot allocate new pages, triggering the "could not allocate space" message. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database resource governance—specifically that the General Purpose tier uses remote storage, so you must adjust the database max size property rather than manually shrinking or growing log files. A common trap is confusing this with a transaction log issue, but the error is about total database size, not log space. Memory tip: "Max size, not log size—GP storage is a single pool, so raise the cap to stop the drop."
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit:
```
Event ID: 4140
Severity: 16
Message: Could not allocate space for object 'sys.sysrscols' in database 'mydb' because the 'PRIMARY' filegroup is full.
```
Refer to the exhibit. An Azure SQL Database administrator sees the error in the SQL Server error log. The database is in the General Purpose tier with 100 GB of storage. Which action should the DBA take to resolve the issue?
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit:
```
Event ID: 4140
Severity: 16
Message: Could not allocate space for object 'sys.sysrscols' in database 'mydb' because the 'PRIMARY' filegroup is full.
```
A
Shrink the database
Why wrong: Shrinking may not free space if there is no unused space.
B
Scale up to a higher service objective (e.g., from GP to BC)
Why wrong: Scaling up does not increase storage; it increases performance.
C
Increase the log file size
Why wrong: The error is about data files, not log files.
D
Increase the max size of the database
Increasing max size adds more space to the primary filegroup.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the max size of the database
The error indicates the database has reached its maximum size limit of 100 GB. In Azure SQL Database General Purpose tier, the max size is set at the database level, not the log file level. Increasing the max size of the database (Option D) directly resolves the 'could not allocate space' error by allowing more data to be stored, without requiring a tier change or manual log file manipulation.
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.
✗
Shrink the database
Why it's wrong here
Shrinking may not free space if there is no unused space.
✗
Scale up to a higher service objective (e.g., from GP to BC)
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up does not increase storage; it increases performance.
✗
Increase the log file size
Why it's wrong here
The error is about data files, not log files.
✓
Increase the max size of the database
Why this is correct
Increasing max size adds more space to the primary filegroup.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse a full transaction log with a full database, leading them to choose 'Increase the log file size' (Option C) when the error is actually about the overall database storage limit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Database uses a fixed storage allocation model where the max size is a configurable property (up to 4 TB for General Purpose, depending on the service objective). When the database reaches this limit, all write operations fail with error 1105 or similar. The 'ALTER DATABASE MODIFY (MAXSIZE = ...)' command increases the cap, allowing the database to grow. Note that storage is billed based on allocated space, so increasing max size may incur additional costs, but it is the correct administrative action.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the max size of the database — The error indicates the database has reached its maximum size limit of 100 GB. In Azure SQL Database General Purpose tier, the max size is set at the database level, not the log file level. Increasing the max size of the database (Option D) directly resolves the 'could not allocate space' error by allowing more data to be stored, without requiring a tier change or manual log file manipulation.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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