The answer is to create a scheduled Azure Logic App that uses the Azure SQL Database REST API to update the service objective. This is correct because Azure SQL Database does not support native autoscale, so you must use an external, serverless orchestrator like Logic Apps to run scheduled PowerShell or CLI commands that change the service tier via the REST API, effectively automating scaling up during peak hours and down during off-peak hours to optimize cost. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that while Azure SQL Database lacks built-in autoscale, you can achieve scheduled scaling without custom infrastructure by leveraging Azure Logic Apps. A common trap is confusing this with SQL Agent jobs or elastic jobs, but SQL Agent cannot change service tiers, and elastic jobs are designed for multi-database script execution, not scaling. Memory tip: Think “Logic Apps for the Ladder” — Logic Apps schedule the climb up and down the service tier ladder.
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 need to automate the process of scaling an Azure SQL Database up during peak hours and down during off-peak hours to optimize cost. The solution must be serverless and not require any custom infrastructure. 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
✓
Create a scheduled Azure Logic App that uses the Azure SQL Database REST API to update the service objective.
Option D is correct because Azure Logic Apps can be scheduled to run PowerShell or CLI scripts to change the service tier. Option A is wrong because autoscale is not available for Azure SQL Database. Option B is wrong because SQL Agent cannot change the service tier. Option C is wrong because elastic jobs are for executing scripts on multiple databases, not for scaling.
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.
✗
Create a SQL Agent job that runs ALTER DATABASE MODIFY (SERVICE_OBJECTIVE = ...).
Why it's wrong here
SQL Agent cannot alter the service objective.
✓
Create a scheduled Azure Logic App that uses the Azure SQL Database REST API to update the service objective.
Why this is correct
Logic Apps can automate scaling without additional infrastructure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use an Elastic Job agent to run a script that changes the service objective.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic jobs are for multi-database tasks, not for scaling.
✗
Enable autoscale on the Azure SQL Database.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database does not support autoscale.
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: Create a scheduled Azure Logic App that uses the Azure SQL Database REST API to update the service objective. — Option D is correct because Azure Logic Apps can be scheduled to run PowerShell or CLI scripts to change the service tier. Option A is wrong because autoscale is not available for Azure SQL Database. Option B is wrong because SQL Agent cannot change the service tier. Option C is wrong because elastic jobs are for executing scripts on multiple databases, not for scaling.
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 need to automate the process of scaling an Azure SQL Database to a higher service tier when CPU usage exceeds 80% for 5 consecutive minutes. Which Azure service is best suited for this automation?
easy
✓ A.Azure Logic App triggered by an Azure Monitor metric alert, calling the Azure SQL Database REST API to update the tier.
B.Elastic Database Job that monitors sys.dm_db_resource_stats and executes ALTER DATABASE.
C.Azure Automation Runbook triggered by an Azure Monitor alert, using PowerShell to scale the database.
D.Azure Function triggered by an Azure Monitor alert, using the Azure SDK to scale.
Why A: Option B is correct because Azure Logic Apps can be triggered by metrics alerts and can call the REST API to update the database tier. Option A is wrong because Azure Automation Runbooks can be triggered by alerts but require more setup. Option C is wrong because Azure Functions can work but Logic Apps are simpler. Option D is wrong because Elastic Database Jobs cannot scale databases.
Variation 2. You need to automate the scaling of an Azure SQL Database in response to CPU usage using Azure Automation. Which Azure service should you use to monitor CPU metrics and trigger the runbook?
medium
A.Azure SQL Analytics
B.Azure Log Analytics
C.Kusto Query Language (KQL)
✓ D.Azure Monitor metric alerts
Why D: Option B is correct because Azure Monitor alerts can be configured to trigger an Automation runbook when a metric (like CPU) crosses a threshold. Option A is for analyzing logs, not triggering actions. Option C is for server monitoring, not directly triggering runbooks. Option D is a query language, not a service.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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