Quick Answer
The answer is to set `ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly` in the connection string. This configuration works because Azure SQL Database Hyperscale automatically routes connections with that intent to a readable secondary replica, offloading read-only workloads from the primary to improve write performance. On the DP-300 exam, this tests your understanding of Hyperscale’s built-in read-scale capabilities—unlike General Purpose or Business Critical tiers, Hyperscale does not require a failover group or explicit read-scale configuration to enable this feature. A common trap is assuming you need to manually configure a listener or enable “Read Scale-out” in the portal, but in Hyperscale, the secondary is always readable by default; the connection string alone controls routing. Remember the mnemonic: “ReadOnly routes reads to replicas” to recall that the application intent string is the only setting needed.
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 have an Azure SQL Database in the Hyperscale service tier. You need to ensure that read-only workloads are offloaded to a readable secondary. Which configuration should you set?
Set ReadOnlyRouting=1 on the database.
Why wrong: ReadOnlyRouting is not a database setting.
Add the database to a failover group.
Why wrong: Failover groups provide geo-replication, not read routing.
Set ReadScale to 1 on the database.
Why wrong: ReadScale is set at server level.
Use ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly in the connection string.
This routes queries to a readable secondary.
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 ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly in the connection string.
Option D is correct because setting `ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly` in the connection string directs read-only workloads to a readable secondary replica in Azure SQL Database Hyperscale. This offloads read traffic from the primary, improving performance for write-heavy operations. The Hyperscale tier supports this feature without requiring a failover group or explicit read-scale configuration.
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.
Set ReadOnlyRouting=1 on the database.
Why it's wrong here
ReadOnlyRouting is not a database setting.
Add the database to a failover group.
Why it's wrong here
Failover groups provide geo-replication, not read routing.
Set ReadScale to 1 on the database.
Why it's wrong here
ReadScale is set at server level.
Use ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly in the connection string.
Why this is correct
This routes queries to a readable secondary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the `ReadScale` property (used in Premium tier) with the Hyperscale tier's always-on read-scale capability, or incorrectly think a failover group is required to enable read-only routing.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, when `ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly` is used, the gateway routes the connection to the secondary replica based on the database's read-scale configuration. In Hyperscale, the secondary is a page server-based replica that can handle read-only queries with minimal latency, while the primary handles all writes. A real-world scenario is a reporting application that runs heavy aggregation queries; by using read-only intent, it avoids contention with transactional workloads on the primary.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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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 ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly in the connection string. — Option D is correct because setting `ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly` in the connection string directs read-only workloads to a readable secondary replica in Azure SQL Database Hyperscale. This offloads read traffic from the primary, improving performance for write-heavy operations. The Hyperscale tier supports this feature without requiring a failover group or explicit read-scale configuration.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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