Quick Answer
The answer is to configure Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica. This offloads the Power BI refresh workload—a read-only, resource-intensive operation—to the secondary replica, isolating it from the primary replica where transactional applications run. By doing so, you eliminate CPU contention on the primary, preventing performance degradation for transactional workloads while keeping the dashboard up-to-date with near-real-time data. On the DP-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of workload isolation patterns in Azure SQL Database, often appearing as a distractor against options like scaling up the database or scheduling refreshes off-hours. A common trap is assuming more CPU or storage solves the problem, but the core concept is separating read and write workloads. Memory tip: think “read replica for read refresh”—if the task is reading data without writing, route it away from the primary to protect transactions.
This DP-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe an analytics workload 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 has a Power BI dashboard that refreshes daily from an Azure SQL Database. During refresh, the database experiences high CPU usage that impacts transactional applications. They need to minimize impact while keeping the dashboard up-to-date. What should they do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Disable the Query Store in the database
Why wrong: Query Store tracks performance but disabling it does not reduce CPU.
Create a read-only user for Power BI
Why wrong: Permissions do not affect CPU usage.
Set Power BI to use a lower-capacity license
Why wrong: Licensing does not reduce database CPU load.
Configure Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica
Readable secondaries allow read workloads without impacting the primary.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica
Configuring Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica offloads read-only workloads, such as Power BI refreshes, to the secondary replica. This eliminates CPU contention on the primary replica, protecting transactional applications from performance degradation while keeping the dashboard up-to-date with near-real-time data.
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.
Disable the Query Store in the database
Why it's wrong here
Query Store tracks performance but disabling it does not reduce CPU.
Create a read-only user for Power BI
Why it's wrong here
Permissions do not affect CPU usage.
Set Power BI to use a lower-capacity license
Why it's wrong here
Licensing does not reduce database CPU load.
Configure Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica
Why this is correct
Readable secondaries allow read workloads without impacting the primary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse user permissions (read-only user) with workload isolation, not realizing that read-only replicas are required to physically separate read and write workloads at the infrastructure level.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure SQL Database readable secondary replicas are part of the Business Critical or Premium service tiers, using Always On availability groups to maintain a synchronized copy. Read-only queries are automatically routed to the secondary via the ApplicationIntent=ReadOnly connection string parameter, ensuring zero CPU impact on the primary. In a real-world scenario, this allows Power BI to refresh large fact tables without blocking OLTP transactions like order processing.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Describe an analytics workload on Azure — This question tests Describe an analytics workload on Azure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Configure Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica — Configuring Azure SQL Database with a readable secondary replica offloads read-only workloads, such as Power BI refreshes, to the secondary replica. This eliminates CPU contention on the primary replica, protecting transactional applications from performance degradation while keeping the dashboard up-to-date with near-real-time data.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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