Quick Answer
The answer is Read scale-out and enabling Query Store. Read scale-out optimizes read-heavy workloads by directing read-only queries to a secondary replica, reducing contention on the primary and improving throughput. Query Store, meanwhile, continuously captures query performance data, allowing you to identify and fix plan regressions that can bottleneck read operations. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of workload-specific tuning—many candidates mistakenly choose indexing or security features, but the key is recognizing that read-heavy optimization relies on offloading reads and monitoring execution plans. A common trap is confusing Read scale-out with geo-replication; remember that Read scale-out works within a single database’s secondary replica, not across regions. For a memory tip, think “Reads go to Replicas, Queries go to Store”—the two properties that directly support read performance without altering schema or security.
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.
Which TWO database properties can be configured to optimize performance for a read-heavy workload in Azure SQL Database?
Query Store
Monitors query performance.
Data masking
Why wrong: Security feature.
Long-term retention policy
Why wrong: Backup retention.
Automatic tuning (CREATE INDEX)
Why wrong: Index management, not a database property.
Read scale-out
Offloads read workloads.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Query Store
Options B and D are correct. Read scale-out offloads read queries to a secondary replica; enabling Query Store helps identify performance issues. Option A is a security feature. Option C is for indexing. Option E is for data retention.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Query Store
Why this is correct
Monitors query performance.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Data masking
Why it's wrong here
Security feature.
Long-term retention policy
Why it's wrong here
Backup retention.
Automatic tuning (CREATE INDEX)
Why it's wrong here
Index management, not a database property.
Read scale-out
Why this is correct
Offloads read workloads.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-300 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Query Store — Options B and D are correct. Read scale-out offloads read queries to a secondary replica; enabling Query Store helps identify performance issues. Option A is a security feature. Option C is for indexing. Option E is for data retention.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-300 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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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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