Quick Answer
The answer is 4. In the Azure SQL Database Business Critical tier, the maximum number of readable replicas available for read-only queries is 4, because the highAvailabilityReplicaCount property specifies the number of replicas excluding the primary, and all of these replicas can serve read traffic when the readScale setting is enabled. This concept is frequently tested on the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, often by presenting a database properties exhibit and asking you to interpret the replica count correctly—the common trap is counting the primary as a readable replica, which would incorrectly give you 5. Remember that the primary replica is reserved for write operations, so the maximum readable replicas are always the value of highAvailabilityReplicaCount, which tops out at 4 for Business Critical. A simple memory tip: think of the four readable replicas as your four “readers” in the business critical room, with the primary standing apart as the sole “writer.”
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"properties": {
"readScale": "Enabled",
"zoneRedundant": false,
"highAvailabilityReplicaCount": 4,
"requestedServiceObjectiveName": "BC_Gen5_8"
}
}
```You are examining the configuration of an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier. The exhibit shows the database properties. What is the maximum number of readable replicas available for read-only queries?
Refer to the exhibit.
```
{
"properties": {
"readScale": "Enabled",
"zoneRedundant": false,
"highAvailabilityReplicaCount": 4,
"requestedServiceObjectiveName": "BC_Gen5_8"
}
}
```1
Why wrong: There are 4 replicas.
3
Why wrong: The count is 4, not 3.
4
highAvailabilityReplicaCount=4 provides 4 readable replicas.
5
Why wrong: The primary is not readable.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
4
Option C is correct. In Business Critical tier, the maximum number of readable replicas is 4, but the highAvailabilityReplicaCount property specifies the number of replicas excluding the primary. With a value of 4, there are 4 replicas, all of which can be readable when readScale is enabled. Option A is wrong because 5 would include the primary. Option B is wrong because 1 is too low. Option D is wrong because the maximum is 4.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
1
Why it's wrong here
There are 4 replicas.
3
Why it's wrong here
The count is 4, not 3.
4
Why this is correct
highAvailabilityReplicaCount=4 provides 4 readable replicas.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
5
Why it's wrong here
The primary is not readable.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — This question tests Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 4 — Option C is correct. In Business Critical tier, the maximum number of readable replicas is 4, but the highAvailabilityReplicaCount property specifies the number of replicas excluding the primary. With a value of 4, there are 4 replicas, all of which can be readable when readScale is enabled. Option A is wrong because 5 would include the primary. Option B is wrong because 1 is too low. Option D is wrong because the maximum is 4.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing the JSON configuration of an Azure SQL Database in the Business Critical tier. What is the primary benefit of setting highAvailabilityReplicaCount to 2?
mediumWhy D: Option B is correct. Setting highAvailabilityReplicaCount to 2 in Business Critical tier creates two additional readable replicas (total of 3 replicas including primary). This improves read performance by allowing more read-only connections to be offloaded to replicas. Option A (zero data loss) is achieved by synchronous replication, not replica count. Option C (automatic failover) is inherent to Business Critical. Option D (zone redundancy) is determined by the zoneRedundant property, not replica count.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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