Quick Answer
The correct metric to monitor for memory pressure in SQL Server on an Azure VM is Target Server Memory (KB). This counter reveals the amount of memory SQL Server is actively trying to reserve from the OS; when it consistently remains high and close to or equal to Total Server Memory (KB), it indicates the instance is under memory pressure and cannot acquire additional buffers. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish direct indicators of memory contention from secondary metrics like Page Life Expectancy or Buffer Cache Hit Ratio, which can be misleading if memory is already constrained. A common trap is choosing Buffer Cache Hit Ratio because it sounds performance-related, but a high ratio can persist even under pressure if the working set is small. Remember the tip: “Target tells you what SQL Server wants; Total tells you what it got—when they’re equal, pressure is hot.”
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 manage a SQL Server on Azure VM. Users report slow queries during peak hours. You suspect memory pressure. Which metric should you monitor in Azure Monitor to confirm this?
Page Life Expectancy
Why wrong: Indirect indicator; low PLE can be caused by many factors.
Batch Requests/sec
Why wrong: Measures workload, not memory.
Buffer Cache Hit Ratio
Why wrong: Reflects cache efficiency, not direct memory pressure.
Target Server Memory (KB)
High target vs actual indicates memory pressure.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Target Server Memory (KB)
Option B is correct because Target Server Memory (KB) shows the amount of memory SQL Server is trying to acquire; consistently high values relative to Total Server Memory indicate memory pressure. Option A is wrong because Buffer Cache Hit Ratio indicates cache efficiency but not directly memory pressure. Option C is wrong because Page Life Expectancy is affected by memory but is a secondary indicator. Option D is wrong because Batch Requests/sec measures throughput, not memory.
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.
Page Life Expectancy
Why it's wrong here
Indirect indicator; low PLE can be caused by many factors.
Batch Requests/sec
Why it's wrong here
Measures workload, not memory.
Buffer Cache Hit Ratio
Why it's wrong here
Reflects cache efficiency, not direct memory pressure.
Target Server Memory (KB)
Why this is correct
High target vs actual indicates memory pressure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Target Server Memory (KB) — Option B is correct because Target Server Memory (KB) shows the amount of memory SQL Server is trying to acquire; consistently high values relative to Total Server Memory indicate memory pressure. Option A is wrong because Buffer Cache Hit Ratio indicates cache efficiency but not directly memory pressure. Option C is wrong because Page Life Expectancy is affected by memory but is a secondary indicator. Option D is wrong because Batch Requests/sec measures throughput, not memory.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This DP-300 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-300 exam.
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