The correct answer is the serverless compute tier with auto-pause enabled. This tier automatically pauses your Azure SQL Database after a specified period of inactivity, typically configurable from 1 minute to 24 hours, which directly satisfies the policy to auto-pause during non-business hours with no ongoing administrative overhead. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of cost optimization features within Azure SQL, and the common trap is to over-engineer the solution with Azure Automation runbooks or Logic Apps, which add unnecessary scripting and maintenance. Remember that serverless is purpose-built for intermittent, unpredictable usage patterns, making it the simplest choice for scheduled idle periods. A useful memory tip is to think "serverless sleeps for you" — it handles the pause and resume automatically based on activity, unlike other services that require you to build the logic yourself.
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.
Your company has a policy to automatically pause Azure SQL Databases during non-business hours to save costs. You need to implement this with minimal administrative overhead. What should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Serverless compute tier with auto-pause enabled
Option A is correct because the serverless compute tier can be configured to auto-pause after a period of inactivity. Option B is wrong because Elastic Jobs require creating a job. Option C is wrong because Azure Automation runbooks require scripting and maintenance. Option D is wrong because Logic Apps add complexity.
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.
✗
Elastic Database Job that pauses the database
Why it's wrong here
Requires manual setup and scheduling.
✓
Serverless compute tier with auto-pause enabled
Why this is correct
Serverless automatically pauses during inactivity, meeting the requirement with no overhead.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Logic Apps with SQL connector to execute pause/resume
Why it's wrong here
Adds complexity and cost.
✗
Azure Automation runbook with a schedule to pause/resume
Why it's wrong here
Works but requires scripting and is less efficient than serverless.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Serverless compute tier with auto-pause enabled — Option A is correct because the serverless compute tier can be configured to auto-pause after a period of inactivity. Option B is wrong because Elastic Jobs require creating a job. Option C is wrong because Azure Automation runbooks require scripting and maintenance. Option D is wrong because Logic Apps add complexity.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You have an Azure SQL Database that must be automatically stopped during weekends to save costs. Which combination of Azure services can achieve this automation?
easy
✓ A.Azure Automation Runbook with PowerShell script using Stop-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet, scheduled via Automation schedule.
B.Azure Logic Apps with a recurrence trigger and the SQL connector to execute ALTER DATABASE SET SUSPEND.
C.Azure Functions with a timer trigger and the Azure SDK to stop the database.
D.Elastic Database Jobs with a T-SQL script to ALTER DATABASE SET SUSPEND.
Why A: Option B is correct because Azure Automation with PowerShell can stop and start Azure SQL Database using the Stop-AzSqlDatabase cmdlet, scheduled for weekends. Option A is wrong because Azure Logic Apps can stop/start via REST API but require more configuration; Automation Runbooks are simpler. Option C is wrong because Elastic Database Jobs cannot stop databases. Option D is wrong because Azure Functions can do it but require more custom setup.
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 DP-300 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 DP-300 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.