The correct choice is to use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days. This configuration satisfies the requirement because Azure SQL Database’s built-in automatic backups inherently provide point-in-time restore capability with a granularity of up to 5 minutes, and the retention period can be configured for up to 35 days—matching the company’s needs exactly. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this question tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database’s native backup mechanics versus custom or VM-based solutions; a common trap is assuming you can set a custom backup frequency, but Azure SQL Database does not allow that—it manages backup intervals automatically. Remember, for Azure SQL Database, you configure retention, not frequency. Memory tip: “Auto for Azure SQL—set the days, not the pace.”
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure solutions. 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.
A company is designing a backup strategy for a critical Azure SQL Database. The database is used in a production environment and the company requires the ability to restore to any point within the last 35 days with a maximum granularity of 5 minutes. Which backup configuration should the company choose?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days
Option A (Geo-redundant backup with long-term retention) does not specify point-in-time restore granularity. Option B (Configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days and a backup frequency of 5 minutes) is not possible because Azure SQL Database does not allow custom backup frequency; it uses automatic backups. Option C (Use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days) meets the requirement because automatic backups provide point-in-time restore up to 35 days with 5-minute granularity. Option D (Use Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VM) is for SQL Server on VMs, not Azure SQL 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.
✗
Use Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VM
Why it's wrong here
This option is for SQL Server on Azure VMs, not Azure SQL Database.
✗
Configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days and a backup frequency of 5 minutes
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database does not allow custom backup frequency; it uses automatic backups.
✓
Use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days
Why this is correct
Automatic backups provide point-in-time restore within 35 days with 5-minute granularity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure geo-redundant backup with long-term retention
Why it's wrong here
Geo-redundant backup does not guarantee 5-minute restore granularity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days — Option A (Geo-redundant backup with long-term retention) does not specify point-in-time restore granularity. Option B (Configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days and a backup frequency of 5 minutes) is not possible because Azure SQL Database does not allow custom backup frequency; it uses automatic backups. Option C (Use Azure SQL Database automatic backups with a retention period of 35 days) meets the requirement because automatic backups provide point-in-time restore up to 35 days with 5-minute granularity. Option D (Use Azure Backup for SQL Server in Azure VM) is for SQL Server on VMs, not Azure SQL Database.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This AZ-305 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-305 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.