The correct first step is to use Query Store to compare the forced plan with the previous good plan and update statistics. This approach directly addresses why a forced plan is not optimal in Azure SQL Database automatic tuning, as the regression often stems from parameter sniffing or stale statistics that make the forced plan inefficient for current data distributions. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that automatic tuning’s FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN feature is reactive, not diagnostic—you must manually verify plan quality via Query Store before escalating to scaling or schema changes. A common trap is jumping to disable tuning or resize the Business Critical tier, but the core issue is plan selection, not resource limits. Remember the mnemonic: “Plan first, scale last”—always investigate plan history and statistics before touching hardware or disabling automation.
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. 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.
You are a database administrator for a large retail company. The company uses an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier (8 vCores, 480 GB storage) to run its core transaction processing system. The database has automatic tuning enabled, including FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN and CREATE_INDEX. You notice that the database is experiencing high CPU usage (90% average) during peak hours, and the Query Store shows that a specific query (Query ID 123) has regressed. The automatic tuning feature has forced a plan for this query, but the performance is still poor. You need to resolve the CPU issue and ensure the query runs efficiently. What should you do first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Query Store to compare the forced plan with the previous good plan and update statistics.
Option B is correct because reviewing the plan history in Query Store helps identify why the forced plan is not optimal, and perhaps the regression is due to parameter sniffing or outdated statistics. Option A is wrong because disabling automatic tuning may cause further regression. Option C is wrong because scaling up might be unnecessary if plan issue is fixable. Option D is wrong because modifying data types is a heavy change.
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.
✗
Disable automatic tuning and manually create a plan guide for the query.
Why it's wrong here
Plan guides are a last resort; better to understand the root cause first.
✓
Use Query Store to compare the forced plan with the previous good plan and update statistics.
Why this is correct
Plan regression often due to statistics; updating may let optimizer pick a better plan.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Modify the query to use query hints like OPTIMIZE FOR UNKNOWN.
Why it's wrong here
Changing application code is more invasive.
✗
Scale up the database to 16 vCores to handle the CPU load.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up treats symptom, not cause.
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 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.
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: Use Query Store to compare the forced plan with the previous good plan and update statistics. — Option B is correct because reviewing the plan history in Query Store helps identify why the forced plan is not optimal, and perhaps the regression is due to parameter sniffing or outdated statistics. Option A is wrong because disabling automatic tuning may cause further regression. Option C is wrong because scaling up might be unnecessary if plan issue is fixable. Option D is wrong because modifying data types is a heavy change.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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