The answer is Query Store, as it is the best solution for low overhead query performance monitoring in Azure SQL Managed Instance. Query Store is a built-in, lightweight feature that automatically captures query execution plans, runtime statistics, and wait statistics without requiring additional configuration or significant resource consumption, making it ideal for continuous performance baselining and regression detection. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of native monitoring tools and their overhead trade-offs—a common trap is choosing Extended Events or Azure Monitor metrics, but Extended Events can introduce higher overhead for custom event collection, while Azure Monitor metrics only provide resource-level data, not query-level details. Remember that Query Store is the default, low-impact choice for query-level insights, whereas SQL Server Profiler is deprecated and carries heavy overhead. A helpful memory tip: think of Query Store as the “quiet observer” that logs query performance without slowing down the workload.
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.
You are configuring performance monitoring for Azure SQL Managed Instance. You need to collect and analyze query performance data with minimal overhead. Which solution should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Query Store
Option A is correct because Query Store is built-in and designed for low overhead query performance monitoring. Option B is wrong because Extended Events can have higher overhead and is more for custom event collection. Option C is wrong because Azure Monitor metrics provide resource-level metrics, not query-level details. Option D is wrong because SQL Server Profiler is deprecated and has high overhead.
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.
✓
Query Store
Why this is correct
Query Store provides built-in, low-overhead query performance monitoring and analysis.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Monitor metrics
Why it's wrong here
Azure Monitor metrics provide resource-level performance data, not query-specific analysis.
✗
Extended Events
Why it's wrong here
Extended Events can be used but typically have more overhead and are more complex to set up for basic monitoring.
✗
SQL Server Profiler
Why it's wrong here
SQL Server Profiler is deprecated and introduces significant overhead.
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.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
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.
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: Query Store — Option A is correct because Query Store is built-in and designed for low overhead query performance monitoring. Option B is wrong because Extended Events can have higher overhead and is more for custom event collection. Option C is wrong because Azure Monitor metrics provide resource-level metrics, not query-level details. Option D is wrong because SQL Server Profiler is deprecated and has high overhead.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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