DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You are monitoring a critical production Azure SQL Database that is experiencing intermittent query timeouts. The database is configured with the General Purpose service tier. You need to identify the root cause of the timeouts with minimal overhead. What should you review first?
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
✓
Use sys.dm_exec_query_stats to identify queries with high wait statistics.
Sys.dm_exec_query_stats provides aggregated query performance data, including wait statistics, with minimal overhead. High wait stats often point to resource contention (e.g., CPU, IO) that can cause timeouts. Option A is incorrect: automatic tuning is for addressing plan regression after it's identified, not for initial troubleshooting. Option B is incorrect: increasing the service tier is a reactive scaling measure, not a diagnostic step. Option D is incorrect: Query Store must be enabled to use the Regressed Queries report, and it may not be the first step if not already enabled; sys.dm_exec_query_stats is a lightweight dynamic management view available by default.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Implement automatic tuning to force plan regression fixes.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning optimizes performance but does not diagnose root cause.
- ✗
Increase the database service tier to Business Critical.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up is a costly reactive step, not a diagnostic action.
- ✓
Use sys.dm_exec_query_stats to identify queries with high wait statistics.
Why this is correct
Low-overhead way to find problematic queries and their wait types.
- ✗
Enable Query Store and review the Regressed Queries report.
Why it's wrong here
Query Store is useful but requires prior enablement; not the first step with minimal overhead.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Query Store
Query Store is a built-in SQL Server feature that captures and stores a history of query execution plans and performance data for easy monitoring and troubleshooting.
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-300 exam.