Chapter 3 of 3 · Microsoft DP-600
Implement and Manage Semantic Models
Storage modes, relationships, DAX, calculation groups, performance tuning, Direct Lake and incremental refresh.
- 6topics
- 32 minfast track
- 2diagrams and exhibits
- 25–30%of the exam
Topics in this chapter
Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.
- 1Storage Modes and Composite ModelsChoose Import, DirectQuery, Direct Lake or Dual storage mode, use the large semantic model storage format, and design composite…Diagram6 min
- 2Model Star Schema and RelationshipsImplement a star schema in a semantic model: relationship cardinality, filter direction, role-playing dates, bridge tables and…5 min
- 3DAX Variables, Iterators, Filters and WindowsWrite DAX measures with variables, iterators like SUMX and RANKX, CALCULATE filters, WINDOW and OFFSET, and information functions…5 min
- 4Calculation Groups, Format Strings, ParametersBuild calculation groups with SELECTEDMEASURE, dynamic format strings that keep values numeric, and field parameters that switch…5 min
- 5Query, Visual and DAX PerformanceSpeed up semantic models with Performance analyzer, DAX Studio and VertiPaq Analyzer: lower cardinality, fewer visuals, query…5 min
- 6Direct Lake and Incremental RefreshDirect Lake framing, refresh and DirectQuery fallback, Direct Lake on OneLake vs on SQL analytics endpoint, and incremental…Diagram6 min
About this chapter
What this chapter covers
Implement and manage semantic models is 25 to 30% of the Microsoft DP-600 exam. It has two skill groups: designing and building semantic models, and optimizing enterprise-scale semantic models.
Design and build covers storage modes, star schemas and relationships (including bridge tables and many-to-many), DAX with variables, iterators, filtering, windowing and information functions, calculation groups, dynamic format strings, field parameters, the large semantic model storage format and composite models. Optimization covers query and visual performance, DAX performance, Direct Lake configuration and incremental refresh.
Questions mix design scenarios with DAX: you choose a storage mode or relationship design, complete or fix a measure, or pick the setting that makes a slow model fast.
How the topics fit together
Every model decision builds on the one before. The storage mode decides how data is read, the star schema decides how filters flow, DAX adds business logic, and optimization keeps it fast at enterprise scale.
Direct Lake is the Fabric-native mode and appears in many questions. Know how it differs from Import and DirectQuery, when it falls back, and how its refresh works.
How to use these pages
Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.
- What it is: the idea in plain words.
- How it works: the mechanism, with tables and code examples.
- What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise and how questions are phrased.
- Common mistakes: the classic traps.
- Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.
Ready for more practice?
The full Microsoft DP-600 question bank has 648 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.
This study guide is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft. Vendor names, certification names and exam codes are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for identification only.