DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You are monitoring an Azure SQL Database using Intelligent Insights. You receive an alert that 'Query performance degradation' was detected. After reviewing the details, you find that a specific query now has a higher duration and is using a different execution plan. What is the recommended first step to troubleshoot?
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
✓
Query the Query Store to compare the previous and current plans
Query Store captures execution plans and runtime statistics, allowing you to compare the previous plan with the current plan to identify plan regression. Option A is wrong because restarting the database is disruptive and doesn't address the root cause. Option B is wrong because increasing the service tier may not fix plan regression and is not the first step. Option D is wrong because Database Engine Tuning Advisor focuses on index and query design, not on comparing plan changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Restart the database to clear the plan cache
Why it's wrong here
Restarting is disruptive and may not resolve the root cause.
- ✗
Increase the service tier of the database
Why it's wrong here
Increasing resources addresses symptoms, not the plan regression.
- ✓
Query the Query Store to compare the previous and current plans
Why this is correct
Query Store allows plan comparison and identification of regression.
- ✗
Run the Database Engine Tuning Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Tuning Advisor recommends indexes but may not revert the plan.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
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.
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.
About these practice questions
One of 906 original DP-300 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.