DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You are monitoring an Azure SQL Database that uses the vCore purchasing model. You need to identify the top resource-consuming queries. You decide to use Query Store. Which two actions should you perform? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that additional configuration like MAX_STORAGE_SIZE_MB or Extended Events is necessary, when simply enabling Query Store and using its reports is sufficient.
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
✓
Enable Query Store on the database.
To use Query Store for identifying top resource-consuming queries, you must first enable Query Store on the database. Then, you can use the built-in Top Resource Consuming Queries report, which aggregates query statistics and ranks them by resource usage. The other options are either not required or not the intended use of Query Store for this purpose.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure the MAX_STORAGE_SIZE_MB option for Query Store.
Why it's wrong here
MAX_STORAGE_SIZE_MB sets the maximum size of the Query Store internal storage. While important to prevent it from filling up, it is not required to identify top resource-consuming queries. The default size is usually sufficient for initial analysis. This action is about capacity management, not about enabling the core functionality.
- ✗
Enable the LEGACY_CARDINALITY_ESTIMATION database scoped configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the cardinality estimation model affects query plans but does not help identify resource-consuming queries. It is a performance tuning action, not a monitoring action. Enabling this configuration could even cause plan regressions, making analysis more difficult.
- ✗
Create a custom Extended Events session to capture query metrics.
Why it's wrong here
Extended Events can capture query metrics, but it requires manual setup and analysis, and it is not the recommended method when Query Store is available. Query Store is designed specifically for this purpose and provides aggregated, easy-to-use reports. Using Extended Events would be additional, unnecessary effort.
- ✓
Enable Query Store on the database.
Why this is correct
Query Store must be enabled to capture query execution statistics. By default, it may be off or in read-only mode. Enabling it ensures that query plans and runtime statistics are collected, which is necessary to identify top resource-consuming queries. This is a prerequisite for using Query Store for performance analysis.
- ✓
Use the Top Resource Consuming Queries report in the Azure portal or SQL Server Management Studio.
Why this is correct
The Top Resource Consuming Queries report is a built-in Query Store feature that ranks queries by resource usage, such as CPU, duration, and execution count. It directly provides the information needed to identify the top resource-consuming queries. This is the primary tool for the task.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Optimizing Database Query and Index Performance
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 and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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