The answer is to configure the point-in-time restore retention period to 35 days. This is correct because Azure SQL Database’s point-in-time restore (PITR) capability automatically creates backups and allows you to restore the database to any second within the configured retention window, which can be set from 1 to 35 days. By explicitly setting the retention period to 35 days, you ensure the database can be recovered to any point in time within the last 35 days, meeting the requirement exactly. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of backup and recovery configuration for Azure SQL Database, often appearing as a straightforward configuration question where the trap is assuming the default 7-day retention is sufficient. A common memory tip is to remember that PITR retention is like a rolling window—you must set it to match your recovery point objective (RPO), and 35 is the maximum, so if you need 35 days, you must explicitly configure it.
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage 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.
You have an Azure SQL Database that stores sales data. You need to ensure that the database can recover to any point in time within the last 35 days. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention period to 35 days
Point-in-time restore (PITR) for Azure SQL Database allows you to restore a database to any point within the configured retention period. The default retention is 7 days, but you can increase it up to 35 days. By setting the PITR retention period to 35 days, you meet the requirement to recover to any point in time within the last 35 days.
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.
✓
Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention period to 35 days
Why this is correct
PITR allows restoring to any point within the retention period.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure long-term retention (LTR) backups with a retention of 35 days
Why it's wrong here
LTR is for backups beyond the PITR window.
✗
Create a secondary database in the same region
Why it's wrong here
A secondary database is for read-scale, not backup.
✗
Enable geo-replication with a readable secondary
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication provides read-scale, not point-in-time recovery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing long-term retention (LTR) with point-in-time restore (PITR); candidates often think LTR provides point-in-time recovery, but LTR only retains full backups at fixed intervals and cannot restore to an arbitrary point within the retention window.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Database PITR uses transaction log backups taken every 5-10 minutes, combined with full and differential backups, to enable restoration to any second within the retention window. The retention period is configured at the server or database level via the `backupRetentionDays` property in the Azure portal, PowerShell, or CLI. A real-world scenario is a user accidentally deleting critical sales data; with 35-day PITR, you can restore the database to a specific second before the deletion occurred.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the point-in-time restore (PITR) retention period to 35 days — Point-in-time restore (PITR) for Azure SQL Database allows you to restore a database to any point within the configured retention period. The default retention is 7 days, but you can increase it up to 35 days. By setting the PITR retention period to 35 days, you meet the requirement to recover to any point in time within the last 35 days.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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