DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You are troubleshooting a performance issue on an Azure SQL Database. Which TWO actions should you prioritize to identify the root cause of high resource consumption?
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
✓
Review the Query Store Top Resource Consuming Queries report.
To identify the root cause of high resource consumption, you should use diagnostic tools that analyze query performance. The Query Store's Top Resource Consuming Queries report (D) provides historical insight into which queries consumed the most resources. Additionally, querying sys.dm_exec_query_stats (E) allows you to find queries with high total_worker_time, indicating CPU-intensive queries. Options A (rebuilding indexes) and B (changing recovery model) are corrective actions, not diagnostic. Option C (scaling to a higher service tier) is a reactive mitigation that does not identify the root cause. Therefore, options D and E are the correct prioritized actions.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rebuild all indexes to improve query performance.
Why it's wrong here
This is a remediation step, not a diagnostic step.
- ✗
Change the database recovery model to Simple.
Why it's wrong here
Not supported in Azure SQL Database and does not help diagnose resource consumption.
- ✗
Scale the database to a higher service tier to mitigate the issue.
Why it's wrong here
Reactive measure, not diagnostic.
- ✓
Review the Query Store Top Resource Consuming Queries report.
Why this is correct
Identifies queries consuming the most resources historically.
- ✓
Query sys.dm_exec_query_stats to find queries with high total_worker_time.
Why this is correct
Shows current cached queries with high CPU usage.
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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