Quick Answer
The correct first step is to use Query Store to identify top resource-consuming queries. Query Store captures a history of query execution plans and runtime statistics, allowing you to pinpoint which specific queries are driving high CPU usage and data IO percentage in Azure SQL Database. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that performance troubleshooting should begin with data-driven diagnostics rather than assumptions about blocking, maintenance, or connection issues. A common trap is jumping to check for blocking or deadlocks, but those primarily cause waits and contention, not sustained high CPU and IO. Remember the memory tip: “When CPU and IO are high, Query Store is your first ally.” This aligns with the search intent for diagnosing high CPU usage in Azure SQL Database, as Query Store directly surfaces the queries responsible for resource consumption.
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 monitoring an Azure SQL Database and notice that the average CPU usage is 80% and the average data IO percentage is 70%. You need to identify the most likely cause of the high resource usage. What should you check 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.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Check for long-running maintenance tasks
Why wrong: Maintenance tasks are scheduled and not the most likely first cause.
Check for connection pooling issues
Why wrong: Connection pooling issues cause connection errors, not high CPU/IO.
Check for blocking and deadlocks
Why wrong: Blocking causes waits, not necessarily high CPU/IO.
Use Query Store to identify top resource-consuming queries
Query Store helps find queries consuming CPU and IO.
Answer choices
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 top resource-consuming queries
Option C is correct because Query Store provides detailed query performance data to identify high resource queries. Option A is incorrect because blocking and deadlocks cause waits, not necessarily high CPU/IO. Option B is incorrect because maintenance tasks like index rebuild are scheduled and not typically the first check. Option D is incorrect because connection pooling issues cause connection errors, not high CPU/IO.
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.
Check for long-running maintenance tasks
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance tasks are scheduled and not the most likely first cause.
Check for connection pooling issues
Why it's wrong here
Connection pooling issues cause connection errors, not high CPU/IO.
Check for blocking and deadlocks
Why it's wrong here
Blocking causes waits, not necessarily high CPU/IO.
Use Query Store to identify top resource-consuming queries
Why this is correct
Query Store helps find queries consuming CPU and IO.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
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
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use Query Store to identify top resource-consuming queries — Option C is correct because Query Store provides detailed query performance data to identify high resource queries. Option A is incorrect because blocking and deadlocks cause waits, not necessarily high CPU/IO. Option B is incorrect because maintenance tasks like index rebuild are scheduled and not typically the first check. Option D is incorrect because connection pooling issues cause connection errors, not high CPU/IO.
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.
Yes — watch for: "first", "most likely". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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. You are monitoring an Azure SQL Database and notice that the average CPU usage is consistently above 90%. The database is using the S3 service tier. What should you do first to resolve this performance issue?
easyWhy D: Scaling up to a higher service tier (e.g., S4) provides more CPU resources. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because the database is not at the maximum tier (S12 is max for Standard). Option C is wrong because enabling read scale-out does not increase CPU. Option D is wrong because query store recommendations take time.
Variation 2. You observe that the average of Maximum DTU consumption over the last hour is consistently above 90%. What should you do next?
mediumWhy A: Option B is correct because high DTU indicates resource pressure; scaling up provides immediate relief. Option A is wrong because indexes may not be the cause. Option C is wrong because Query Store helps identify queries, but scaling is a direct solution. Option D is wrong because waiting may cause further issues.
Variation 3. The query returns a list of query hashes with high average duration. You need to identify which queries are most likely causing CPU pressure. What additional metric should you include?
hardWhy D: Option C is correct because CPU time directly measures CPU usage per query, helping correlate high duration with CPU pressure. Option A is wrong because logical reads indicate I/O, not necessarily CPU. Option B is wrong because execution count without CPU may miss resource intensity. Option D is wrong because wait stats indicate blocking, not CPU.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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