The answer is to use Query Store to identify and force a more efficient execution plan. This approach directly reduces CPU pressure in Azure SQL Database without changing the service tier by compelling the query optimizer to reuse a previously captured, less resource-intensive plan, thereby avoiding costly recompilations and suboptimal join strategies. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of non-intrusive performance tuning tools—specifically, that Query Store can force a plan without altering the database’s DTU allocation or schema. A common trap is assuming you must scale up or add indexes, but the question explicitly forbids those actions, making plan forcing the only viable option. Remember the mnemonic: “Force the plan, don’t force the tier.”
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 managing an Azure SQL Database in the General Purpose service tier with 100 DTUs. The database supports an e-commerce application. Over the past week, you notice that CPU usage frequently reaches 100% during peak hours, causing query timeouts. You have identified that the most expensive query is a SELECT statement that joins five tables and returns aggregated sales data. You need to reduce CPU pressure without changing the service tier or adding indexes. What should you do?
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 identify and force a more efficient execution plan.
Option A is correct because enabling Query Store and forcing a plan that reduces CPU is a non-intrusive way to improve performance. Option B is wrong because it increases DTUs, which changes service tier. Option C is wrong because it adds indexes. Option D is wrong because scaling up is changing tier.
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.
✗
Scale up to the Business Critical tier.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the service tier, which is not allowed.
✗
Increase the DTUs to 200.
Why it's wrong here
This changes the service tier, which is not allowed per requirement.
✓
Use Query Store to identify and force a more efficient execution plan.
Why this is correct
Query Store can capture plan history and force a plan that uses less CPU without changing tier or indexes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a nonclustered index on the join columns.
Why it's wrong here
Adding indexes is not allowed per requirement.
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 identify and force a more efficient execution plan. — Option A is correct because enabling Query Store and forcing a plan that reduces CPU is a non-intrusive way to improve performance. Option B is wrong because it increases DTUs, which changes service tier. Option C is wrong because it adds indexes. Option D is wrong because scaling up is changing tier.
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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