DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. -- Output from sys.dm_exec_query_stats (partial) -- Query 1: total_worker_time = 50000 ms, execution_count = 100 -- Query 2: total_worker_time = 45000 ms, execution_count = 10 -- Query 3: total_worker_time = 30000 ms, execution_count = 200
Refer to the exhibit. You are analyzing query performance using sys.dm_exec_query_stats. Based on the output, which query is the best candidate for optimization to reduce overall CPU usage?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often focus on total CPU time or execution frequency, but the key metric for optimization efficiency is average CPU per execution, which directly measures the cost of each individual query run.
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
✓
Query 2 because it has the highest average CPU per execution.
Query 2 is the best candidate for optimization because it has the highest average CPU per execution, indicating that each run of this query consumes significantly more CPU resources than the others. Reducing the CPU cost per execution for this query will yield the greatest per-execution savings, making it the most efficient target for reducing overall CPU usage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Query 2 because it has the highest average CPU per execution.
Why this is correct
High average CPU suggests inefficiency; optimizing it can reduce overall CPU significantly.
- ✗
Query 1 because it has the highest total_cpu_time.
Why it's wrong here
Total CPU is high but per execution is moderate; optimization may not yield the best ROI.
- ✗
All queries should be optimized equally.
Why it's wrong here
Prioritization based on impact is more effective.
- ✗
Query 3 because it runs most frequently.
Why it's wrong here
Frequent but low per-execution CPU; total CPU is not the highest.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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