The answer is to use Query Store to identify and force a better execution plan. This is correct because even after updating statistics and rebuilding indexes, a query with multiple JOINs and a WHERE clause on a non-clustered index can still suffer from a suboptimal cached plan—Query Store captures historical execution plans and runtime metrics, allowing you to pinpoint plan regressions and force a more efficient version without rewriting the query. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to optimize query causing high CPU in Azure SQL Database through plan management rather than index or hardware changes; a common trap is assuming automatic tuning alone will fix it, but it relies on Query Store data first. Remember the mnemonic “Plan First, Tune Later”—always check Query Store for plan regressions before adjusting indexes or scaling resources.
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. 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 are a database administrator for a large e-commerce platform using Azure SQL Database. You notice that a specific query frequently causes high CPU usage during peak hours. The query is a SELECT with multiple JOINs and a WHERE clause on a non-clustered index. You have already updated statistics and rebuilt indexes. What should you do next to optimize performance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Query Store to identify and force a better execution plan.
Option A is correct because Query Store can identify query performance regressions and provide plan forcing. Option B is wrong because automatic tuning might not address the specific query without Query Store data. Option C is wrong because index tuning may not help if the query plan is suboptimal. Option D is wrong because read replicas offload read traffic but do not optimize CPU usage of a single query on the primary.
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.
✓
Use Query Store to identify and force a better execution plan.
Why this is correct
Query Store captures plan history and allows forced plan to stabilize performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable automatic tuning to let Azure SQL Database handle the issue.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning may eventually correct the plan, but it's slower than manual intervention via Query Store.
✗
Add more indexes on the columns used in JOINs and WHERE clause.
Why it's wrong here
Indexes already exist; more indexes may increase overhead without fixing the plan.
✗
Create a read replica and offload the query to it.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas do not reduce CPU on the primary; they only distribute read workload.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Use Query Store to identify and force a better execution plan. — Option A is correct because Query Store can identify query performance regressions and provide plan forcing. Option B is wrong because automatic tuning might not address the specific query without Query Store data. Option C is wrong because index tuning may not help if the query plan is suboptimal. Option D is wrong because read replicas offload read traffic but do not optimize CPU usage of a single query on the primary.
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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