SNOWPRO-CORE Practice Questions: Performance and Cost Optimization Concepts Domain

Published: August 21, 2025 | 10 min read

Test your SNOWPRO-CORE knowledge with 5 practice questions from the Performance and Cost Optimization Concepts domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

SNOWPRO-CORE Practice Questions

Master the Performance and Cost Optimization Concepts Domain

Test your knowledge in the Performance and Cost Optimization Concepts domain with these 5 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the SNOWPRO-CORE certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

A data engineer needs to monitor and control the compute costs of a Snowflake account. Which of the following is the most effective way to achieve this?

A) Set up a resource monitor to suspend the virtual warehouse when a credit usage threshold is reached.

B) Regularly review query history to identify expensive queries.

C) Enable auto-suspend and auto-resume for all virtual warehouses.

D) Use the 'COPY INTO' command to export large datasets to external storage.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Setting up a resource monitor to suspend the virtual warehouse when a credit usage threshold is reached (A) is the most direct method to control compute costs. It allows you to set thresholds and take automatic actions, such as suspending a warehouse, to prevent further credit usage once limits are reached. Regularly reviewing query history (B) and enabling auto-suspend and auto-resume (C) are good practices but do not provide automatic control over credit usage. The 'COPY INTO' command (D) is related to data export, not compute cost control. For more information, refer to the Snowflake documentation on resource monitors: https://docs.snowflake.com/en/user-guide/resource-monitors.html

Question 2

Which Snowflake feature allows you to track and control the compute costs associated with your account?

A) Resource Monitors

B) Time Travel

C) Data Cloning

D) Materialized Views

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Resource Monitors in Snowflake are used to track and control compute usage and costs by setting up thresholds and notifications. Time Travel (B) allows you to access historical data but does not control costs. Data Cloning (C) creates zero-copy clones which are cost-effective but not directly related to tracking costs. Materialized Views (D) improve query performance but do not track costs.

Question 3

As a Snowflake architect, you need to optimize the performance of a complex query that processes JSON data stored in a VARIANT column. Which of the following techniques should you consider to improve query performance?

A) Use the FLATTEN function to transform the JSON data into a relational format.

B) Store JSON data in a separate database to isolate processing.

C) Apply clustering keys on the VARIANT column to improve data retrieval speed.

D) Use the COPY INTO command to export JSON data to an external stage for processing.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: Using the FLATTEN function helps convert JSON data into a tabular format, making it easier to query and optimize. Storing data in a separate database or exporting it for external processing does not directly improve query performance. Clustering keys are not applicable to VARIANT columns.

Question 4

How can Resource Monitors be used to control costs in Snowflake?

A) By automatically resizing virtual warehouses based on query load.

B) By setting alerts and suspending warehouses when credit usage exceeds a threshold.

C) By limiting the number of users that can access the account simultaneously.

D) By reducing the storage cost of large tables.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Resource Monitors can be configured to alert administrators and suspend virtual warehouses when credit usage exceeds a defined threshold, helping to control costs. They do not automatically resize warehouses or limit user access.

Question 5

A data engineer notices that query performance has decreased due to large table scans. What is a recommended approach to improve performance and reduce costs?

A) Increase the size of the virtual warehouse.

B) Implement table partitioning.

C) Use materialized views to pre-compute results.

D) Disable automatic clustering.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Materialized views store pre-computed results and can significantly improve query performance by reducing the need to scan large tables repeatedly. Option A might improve performance but at a higher cost. Option B is not applicable in Snowflake as it uses micro-partitions. Option D would likely worsen performance by not organizing data efficiently.

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About SNOWPRO-CORE Certification

The SNOWPRO-CORE certification validates your expertise in performance and cost optimization concepts and other critical domains. Our comprehensive practice questions are carefully crafted to mirror the actual exam experience and help you identify knowledge gaps before test day.