The answer is that the database is not configured with the 'Serverless' compute tier. The auto-pause feature, controlled by the 'autoPauseDelay' property, is exclusive to Azure SQL Database in the serverless compute tier; without setting the 'sku' property to 'Serverless', the database remains in the provisioned tier, where auto-pause is unavailable regardless of the delay or minCapacity values. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between compute tiers in ARM templates—a common trap is assuming that simply adding 'autoPauseDelay' and 'minCapacity' properties is sufficient, when the tier itself must be explicitly declared. Remember the mnemonic: "No serverless SKU, no auto-pause for you."
DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{ "type": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases", "apiVersion": "2022-05-01-preview", "properties": { "autoPauseDelay": 60, "minCapacity": 0.5, "zoneRedundant": false } }
You are reviewing an ARM template snippet for an Azure SQL Database. The database should be configured to automatically pause after 60 minutes of inactivity and resume with a minimum capacity of 0.5 vCores. However, the database is not pausing as expected. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The database is not configured with the 'Serverless' compute tier.
The 'autoPauseDelay' property is used for serverless databases. For serverless, 'minCapacity' is also required. The snippet is missing the 'sku' property with 'Serverless' tier. Without the serverless tier, auto-pause is not available. Option A is wrong because zone redundancy does not affect auto-pause. Option B is wrong because the properties are correct but the tier is missing. Option D is wrong because the API version supports serverless.
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.
✗
The 'zoneRedundant' property is set to false, which prevents auto-pause.
Why it's wrong here
Zone redundancy does not affect auto-pause.
✓
The database is not configured with the 'Serverless' compute tier.
Why this is correct
Auto-pause is only available in the serverless compute tier.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The 'autoPauseDelay' value is too low; it must be at least 360 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
The minimum auto-pause delay is 60 minutes, which is correct.
✗
The API version does not support auto-pause.
Why it's wrong here
The API version '2022-05-01-preview' supports serverless properties.
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
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 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.
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The database is not configured with the 'Serverless' compute tier. — The 'autoPauseDelay' property is used for serverless databases. For serverless, 'minCapacity' is also required. The snippet is missing the 'sku' property with 'Serverless' tier. Without the serverless tier, auto-pause is not available. Option A is wrong because zone redundancy does not affect auto-pause. Option B is wrong because the properties are correct but the tier is missing. Option D is wrong because the API version supports serverless.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "minimum / minimize". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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