Quick Answer
The correct action is to identify and create missing indexes. High CPU usage in an Azure SQL Database at the S3 service tier is frequently caused by inefficient query plans that force the database engine to scan large numbers of rows or perform expensive operations like key lookups and sorting. By adding appropriate indexes, you reduce the volume of data the engine must process, directly lowering CPU cycles per query without altering the service tier. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of performance tuning fundamentals—specifically, that index creation is a non-tier-changing optimization. A common trap is to assume scaling up is the only fix, but the exam emphasizes that missing indexes are often the root cause of CPU spikes in lower tiers like S3. Memory tip: “Missing indexes mean missing CPU savings—index first, scale last.”
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.
A production Azure SQL Database is experiencing high CPU usage during peak hours. The database uses the S3 service tier. You need to reduce CPU usage without changing the service tier. Which action should you take?
Increase the maximum number of concurrent workers.
Why wrong: Worker count does not directly reduce CPU usage.
Identify and create missing indexes.
Missing indexes cause table scans, increasing CPU usage; adding indexes reduces CPU.
Reduce MAXDOP to 1.
Why wrong: Reducing MAXDOP may increase serialization and CPU usage.
Increase MAXDOP to 8.
Why wrong: Increasing MAXDOP can increase parallelism and CPU usage.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Identify and create missing indexes.
High CPU usage in an S3 Azure SQL Database often stems from inefficient query plans caused by missing indexes. Creating appropriate indexes reduces the number of rows scanned and the CPU cycles needed for operations like key lookups and sorting, directly lowering CPU consumption without changing the service tier.
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.
Increase the maximum number of concurrent workers.
Why it's wrong here
Worker count does not directly reduce CPU usage.
Identify and create missing indexes.
Why this is correct
Missing indexes cause table scans, increasing CPU usage; adding indexes reduces CPU.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Reduce MAXDOP to 1.
Why it's wrong here
Reducing MAXDOP may increase serialization and CPU usage.
Increase MAXDOP to 8.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing MAXDOP can increase parallelism and CPU usage.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume reducing MAXDOP or increasing workers will fix CPU issues, but without addressing the root cause (poor query plans from missing indexes), these changes either exacerbate resource contention or fail to reduce CPU usage.
Detailed technical explanation
Missing indexes force the query optimizer to use table scans or key lookups, which are CPU-intensive. The Database Engine Tuning Advisor or missing index DMVs (sys.dm_db_missing_index_details) can identify candidates. However, over-indexing can increase write overhead, so index creation must balance read and write patterns—a common pitfall in production tuning.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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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: Identify and create missing indexes. — High CPU usage in an S3 Azure SQL Database often stems from inefficient query plans caused by missing indexes. Creating appropriate indexes reduces the number of rows scanned and the CPU cycles needed for operations like key lookups and sorting, directly lowering CPU consumption without changing the service tier.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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