The answer is to query sys.dm_exec_query_stats to identify queries with high total_worker_time and to use Query Store to analyze top resource-consuming queries. These two actions directly pinpoint the root cause of high resource consumption by surfacing the specific queries consuming excessive CPU and memory, rather than applying fixes prematurely. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish diagnostic steps from reactive solutions—common traps include jumping to index rebuilds or scaling up, which treat symptoms, not causes. A strong memory tip is “Stats and Store, not scale or restore,” reminding you to always diagnose with dynamic management views and Query Store before taking corrective action.
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. 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 troubleshooting a performance issue on an Azure SQL Database. Which TWO actions should you prioritize to identify the root cause of high resource consumption?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Review the Query Store Top Resource Consuming Queries report.
Options A and C are correct. Query Store identifies top resource-consuming queries, and sys.dm_exec_query_stats shows current CPU/memory usage. Option B (rebuilding indexes) is a fix, not diagnostic. Option D (scaling up) is reactive. Option E (changing recovery model) is not relevant to resource consumption.
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.
✗
Rebuild all indexes to improve query performance.
Why it's wrong here
This is a remediation step, not a diagnostic step.
✗
Change the database recovery model to Simple.
Why it's wrong here
Not supported in Azure SQL Database and does not help diagnose resource consumption.
✗
Scale the database to a higher service tier to mitigate the issue.
Why it's wrong here
Reactive measure, not diagnostic.
✓
Review the Query Store Top Resource Consuming Queries report.
Why this is correct
Identifies queries consuming the most resources historically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Query sys.dm_exec_query_stats to find queries with high total_worker_time.
Why this is correct
Shows current cached queries with high CPU usage.
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: Review the Query Store Top Resource Consuming Queries report. — Options A and C are correct. Query Store identifies top resource-consuming queries, and sys.dm_exec_query_stats shows current CPU/memory usage. Option B (rebuilding indexes) is a fix, not diagnostic. Option D (scaling up) is reactive. Option E (changing recovery model) is not relevant to resource consumption.
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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