The answer is to create nonclustered indexes on columns used in WHERE clauses and update statistics. These two actions directly address the root cause of poor query performance—table scans on large tables—without requiring a costly tier upgrade. Nonclustered indexes provide a faster lookup path for filtered data, while updated statistics give the query optimizer accurate distribution information to choose efficient execution plans. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your ability to balance performance tuning with cost governance, a key responsibility for Azure database administrators. A common trap is assuming that increasing MAXDOP or moving to a Business Critical tier is necessary, but the General Purpose tier is fully capable of handling reporting workloads with proper indexing and maintenance. Remember the mnemonic: “Index and Stats, not expensive swaps”—meaning you should always optimize schema and metadata before considering a tier change.
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 optimizing an Azure SQL Database that runs a reporting workload. The database is in the General Purpose tier. You notice that many queries are performing table scans on large tables. Which TWO actions would most likely improve query performance without increasing costs?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Update statistics on the tables.
Options B and D are correct. Creating appropriate indexes reduces table scans. Updating statistics helps the optimizer choose better plans. Option A is wrong because increasing MAXDOP might not help and could cause issues. Option C is wrong because it increases tier cost. Option E is wrong because it does not address table scans.
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.
✓
Update statistics on the tables.
Why this is correct
Updated statistics help the optimizer choose better execution plans, potentially avoiding scans.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Upgrade to Business Critical tier.
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading tier increases cost.
✗
Increase MAXDOP to 8.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing MAXDOP may not improve table scans; it can cause parallelism issues.
✗
Enable automatic tuning.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning helps but does not directly address table scans; it may create indexes over time.
✓
Create nonclustered indexes on columns used in WHERE clauses.
Why this is correct
Indexes can eliminate table scans by providing seek operations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Update statistics on the tables. — Options B and D are correct. Creating appropriate indexes reduces table scans. Updating statistics helps the optimizer choose better plans. Option A is wrong because increasing MAXDOP might not help and could cause issues. Option C is wrong because it increases tier cost. Option E is wrong because it does not address table scans.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.