Most Effective Action to Reduce High DTU Consumption in Azure SQL
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.
Exhibit
Azure Monitor metric for Azure SQL Database:
Metric: dtu_consumption_percent
Time range: Past hour
Average: 95%
Max: 100%
Min: 30%
Metric: cpu_percent
Average: 80%
Max: 95%
Metric: physical_data_read_percent
Average: 90%
Max: 100%
Metric: log_write_percent
Average: 20%
Query Store top resource consumers:
Query ID: 1234
Execution count: 5000
Total logical reads: 2.5 million
Total duration: 10,000 ms
Query ID: 5678
Execution count: 100
Total logical reads: 50,000
Total duration: 500 ms
Refer to the exhibit. An Azure SQL Database in the Standard tier (S2: 50 DTU) is consistently showing high DTU consumption. Which action would most effectively reduce DTU usage?
Exhibit
Azure Monitor metric for Azure SQL Database:
Metric: dtu_consumption_percent
Time range: Past hour
Average: 95%
Max: 100%
Min: 30%
Metric: cpu_percent
Average: 80%
Max: 95%
Metric: physical_data_read_percent
Average: 90%
Max: 100%
Metric: log_write_percent
Average: 20%
Query Store top resource consumers:
Query ID: 1234
Execution count: 5000
Total logical reads: 2.5 million
Total duration: 10,000 ms
Query ID: 5678
Execution count: 100
Total logical reads: 50,000
Total duration: 500 ms
A
Create an index on the tables accessed by Query 1234
Reducing logical reads via indexing directly lowers DTU usage.
B
Increase the log_write_percent by adjusting transaction log settings
Why wrong: Log writes are low; not a bottleneck.
C
Scale up to a higher service tier (e.g., S3)
Why wrong: Scaling up increases DTU, but does not fix inefficient queries.
D
Rebuild all indexes in the database
Why wrong: May help but less targeted than optimizing the specific high-impact query.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an index on the tables accessed by Query 1234
Query 1234 is likely the primary contributor to high DTU consumption, as indicated by the exhibit (not shown here but implied). Creating an index on the tables it accesses can reduce the number of logical reads and improve query performance, directly lowering DTU usage without additional cost. This is the most effective action because it addresses the root cause—poor query performance—rather than masking the symptom with more resources.
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.
✓
Create an index on the tables accessed by Query 1234
Why this is correct
Reducing logical reads via indexing directly lowers DTU usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the log_write_percent by adjusting transaction log settings
Why it's wrong here
Log writes are low; not a bottleneck.
✗
Scale up to a higher service tier (e.g., S3)
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up increases DTU, but does not fix inefficient queries.
✗
Rebuild all indexes in the database
Why it's wrong here
May help but less targeted than optimizing the specific high-impact query.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose scaling up (Option C) as a quick fix, not realizing that it only increases resource limits without addressing the underlying inefficient query or missing index, leading to continued high DTU usage and unnecessary cost.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Azure SQL Database, DTU consumption is a blend of CPU, memory, and I/O resources. A missing or inefficient index forces the query engine to perform table scans or key lookups, increasing logical reads and I/O operations. The CREATE INDEX statement (e.g., CREATE NONCLUSTERED INDEX) can be tailored to the query's WHERE and JOIN clauses, reducing the number of pages read and thus lowering DTU. The sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats DMV can help identify which indexes are missing or underutilized.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
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: Create an index on the tables accessed by Query 1234 — Query 1234 is likely the primary contributor to high DTU consumption, as indicated by the exhibit (not shown here but implied). Creating an index on the tables it accesses can reduce the number of logical reads and improve query performance, directly lowering DTU usage without additional cost. This is the most effective action because it addresses the root cause—poor query performance—rather than masking the symptom with more resources.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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