The correct answer is to use read-only routing to direct reporting queries to the secondary, create nonclustered indexes on the secondary, and enable automatic tuning on the secondary. These three actions optimize read performance on the geo-replication secondary by ensuring queries are efficiently routed away from the primary, leveraging targeted indexing to speed up reporting workloads, and allowing the database engine to automatically adjust query execution plans for the secondary’s distinct data distribution. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that geo-replication secondary replicas are readable by default, but performance tuning requires deliberate configuration—a common trap is assuming read-scale must be manually enabled (it is automatic for Business Critical/Premium tiers) or that forcing query plans from the primary will benefit the secondary. For memory, think of the three pillars: Route, Index, Tune.
DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 have an Azure SQL Database that is configured with geo-replication. You need to optimize read performance for reporting queries that run on the secondary replica. Which three actions should you take? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable automatic tuning on the secondary.
Options A, D, and E are correct. Creating nonclustered indexes on the secondary can improve read performance. Using read-only routing to direct queries to the secondary ensures they don't impact the primary. Enabling automatic tuning on the secondary can help optimize queries. Option B is wrong because read-scale is automatically enabled for Business Critical and Premium tiers, but forcing query plans on the primary may not help on the secondary. Option C is wrong because configuring the secondary as a readable secondary is done by default when using geo-replication; it's not an additional action.
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.
✓
Enable automatic tuning on the secondary.
Why this is correct
Can optimize query performance automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the secondary as a readable secondary.
Why it's wrong here
Already readable by default in geo-replication.
✓
Create nonclustered indexes on the secondary replica.
Why this is correct
Improves query performance on the secondary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Force query plans on the primary replica to benefit the secondary.
Why it's wrong here
Query plans are separate on each replica.
✓
Use read-only routing to direct reporting queries to the secondary.
Why this is correct
Routes queries to the secondary, offloading the primary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
Identify which DP-300 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.
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable automatic tuning on the secondary. — Options A, D, and E are correct. Creating nonclustered indexes on the secondary can improve read performance. Using read-only routing to direct queries to the secondary ensures they don't impact the primary. Enabling automatic tuning on the secondary can help optimize queries. Option B is wrong because read-scale is automatically enabled for Business Critical and Premium tiers, but forcing query plans on the primary may not help on the secondary. Option C is wrong because configuring the secondary as a readable secondary is done by default when using geo-replication; it's not an additional action.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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