Courseiva
← DP-300
Full test
Question 497 of 953
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

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.

Exhibit

Extended Events session trace:

name: system_health
session_id: 5
total_events: 12450
event_name: sql_statement_completed
cpu_time: 2500 ms
logical_reads: 45000
duration: 3000 ms

name: system_health
session_id: 5
total_events: 12451
event_name: sql_statement_completed
cpu_time: 3200 ms
logical_reads: 62000
duration: 4000 ms

Wait statistics from sys.dm_os_wait_stats:

wait_type: PAGEIOLATCH_SH
waiting_tasks_count: 500000
wait_time_ms: 120000

wait_type: LCK_M_S
waiting_tasks_count: 200
wait_time_ms: 500

Refer to the exhibit. An Azure SQL Database is experiencing performance degradation. Based on the Extended Events and wait statistics, which is the most likely root cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

Extended Events session trace:

name: system_health
session_id: 5
total_events: 12450
event_name: sql_statement_completed
cpu_time: 2500 ms
logical_reads: 45000
duration: 3000 ms

name: system_health
session_id: 5
total_events: 12451
event_name: sql_statement_completed
cpu_time: 3200 ms
logical_reads: 62000
duration: 4000 ms

Wait statistics from sys.dm_os_wait_stats:

wait_type: PAGEIOLATCH_SH
waiting_tasks_count: 500000
wait_time_ms: 120000

wait_type: LCK_M_S
waiting_tasks_count: 200
wait_time_ms: 500

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

I/O subsystem bottleneck

The high PAGEIOLATCH_SH wait time indicates I/O subsystem pressure, likely due to insufficient IOPS or throughput on the database storage.

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.

  • ✗

    Blocking due to lock contention

    Why it's wrong here

    LCK_M_S waits are minimal compared to PAGEIOLATCH_SH.

  • ✗

    CPU pressure from high-complexity queries

    Why it's wrong here

    CPU time is moderate; wait stats point to I/O.

  • ✓

    I/O subsystem bottleneck

    Why this is correct

    PAGEIOLATCH_SH waits indicate I/O latency.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    Insufficient memory allocation for the database

    Why it's wrong here

    Memory pressure typically shows PAGEIOLATCH_SH, but the primary indicator is high logical reads and IO waits.

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.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    Memory pressure typically shows PAGEIOLATCH_SH, but the primary indicator is high logical reads and IO waits.

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 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

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

Related practice questions

Related DP-300 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment.

Plan and implement data platform resources practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and implement data platform resources.

Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources.

Configure and manage automation of tasks practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Configure and manage automation of tasks.

Plan and configure high availability and disaster recovery practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure high availability and disaster recovery.

Implement a secure environment practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Implement a secure environment.

DP-300 fundamentals practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 fundamentals.

DP-300 scenario practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 scenario.

DP-300 troubleshooting practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 troubleshooting.

Practice this exam

Start a free DP-300 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions20 questions30 questions50 questionsTimed 30
DP-300 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this DP-300 question test?

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: I/O subsystem bottleneck — The high PAGEIOLATCH_SH wait time indicates I/O subsystem pressure, likely due to insufficient IOPS or throughput on the database storage.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.

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.