The answer is read scale-out, also known as read-only replicas. This feature is correct because it allows you to offload complex, long-running reporting queries to a separate, read-only replica of your Azure SQL Database, preventing those queries from degrading the performance of the primary transactional workload. The replica uses snapshot isolation to provide transactionally consistent access to the most current data, ensuring the reporting team sees up-to-date information without locking or contention on the primary database. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of workload isolation and high-availability features; a common trap is confusing read scale-out with geo-replication or failover groups, which are designed for disaster recovery rather than read-only query offloading. Remember the key distinction: if the goal is to isolate read-only reporting from transactional writes, think "scale-out for reads." A helpful memory tip is to associate "scale-out" with "offload"—you are scaling out read capacity to offload the primary.
DP-900 Practice Question: Identify considerations for relational data on Azure
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify considerations for relational data on azure. 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.
A company uses Azure SQL Database for its e-commerce platform. The reporting team runs complex, long-running queries that join multiple tables and would degrade performance of the transactional workload if executed on the primary database. Which Azure SQL Database feature should the company enable to isolate the reporting queries while ensuring read-only access to the most current data?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Why wrong: Automatic tuning automatically optimizes query performance but does not offload read workloads to a separate replica.
B
Geo-replication
Why wrong: Geo-replication creates readable secondaries in a different region for disaster recovery, not for offloading read workloads in the same region.
C
Read scale-out (read-only replicas)
Read scale-out provides a read-only replica in the same region that can be used for reporting without impacting the primary.
D
Elastic query
Why wrong: Elastic query allows querying across multiple databases, but it does not create a read-only replica to offload workloads.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Read scale-out (read-only replicas)
Read scale-out (read-only replicas) allows you to offload reporting queries to a read-only replica of the Azure SQL Database, ensuring that complex, long-running queries do not degrade the performance of the primary transactional workload. The replica provides access to the most current data because it uses snapshot isolation and is transactionally consistent with the primary database.
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.
✗
Automatic tuning
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning automatically optimizes query performance but does not offload read workloads to a separate replica.
✗
Geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication creates readable secondaries in a different region for disaster recovery, not for offloading read workloads in the same region.
✓
Read scale-out (read-only replicas)
Why this is correct
Read scale-out provides a read-only replica in the same region that can be used for reporting without impacting the primary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Elastic query
Why it's wrong here
Elastic query allows querying across multiple databases, but it does not create a read-only replica to offload workloads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Geo-replication (which also provides readable secondaries) with read scale-out, but Geo-replication is primarily for disaster recovery and involves asynchronous replication, whereas read scale-out is designed for read workload isolation within the same region with synchronous consistency.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Read scale-out works by creating a read-only replica that is kept in sync with the primary database using the Always On availability group technology, with transaction log shipping ensuring near-real-time consistency. The replica uses snapshot isolation to provide a transactionally consistent view of the data at the time the query starts, so reporting queries see the most recent committed data without blocking or being blocked by writes on the primary. In a real-world scenario, a company with a high-volume e-commerce platform can enable read scale-out on a Premium or Business Critical service tier to run daily sales reports without impacting order processing latency.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-900 question in full detail.
Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — This question tests Identify considerations for relational data on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Read scale-out (read-only replicas) — Read scale-out (read-only replicas) allows you to offload reporting queries to a read-only replica of the Azure SQL Database, ensuring that complex, long-running queries do not degrade the performance of the primary transactional workload. The replica provides access to the most current data because it uses snapshot isolation and is transactionally consistent with the primary database.
What should I do if I get this DP-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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