- A
Create a SQL Agent job on the database to run a cleanup script at midnight.
Why wrong: SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database.
- B
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to the database, deletes old data, and uploads it to Blob Storage using AzCopy.
Why wrong: Requires a hybrid worker and is more complex to manage.
- C
Create a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using PolyBase. Schedule the procedure using Elastic Database Jobs.
Elastic Database Jobs can efficiently run T-SQL on a schedule with minimal overhead.
- D
Use Azure Data Factory with a scheduled trigger to copy data older than 90 days to Blob Storage and then delete it from the table.
Why wrong: Data Factory is overkill for this simple task and may incur higher costs.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using PolyBase, then schedule it with Elastic Database Jobs. This solution directly addresses the need to automate data purge and archive blob storage while minimizing impact on the transactional workload because Elastic Jobs run as background tasks across elastic pool databases without competing for resources, and PolyBase enables efficient bulk export to Blob Storage without complex ETL overhead. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database’s PaaS limitations—specifically that SQL Agent is unavailable—and your ability to choose the simplest, most cost-effective automation tool for routine purge-and-archive tasks; a common trap is selecting Azure Data Factory, which is overkill for a single table’s daily cleanup. Remember the memory tip: “Elastic Jobs for elastic pools—PolyBase purges, no Agent fools.”
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. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 are a database administrator for a large e-commerce company. The company uses Azure SQL Database in a Business Critical tier for its transactional systems. The database is part of an elastic pool with multiple databases. You need to automate the process of purging old data from a specific table (OrderHistory) that grows by 5 GB per day. The data must be retained for 90 days. After 90 days, the data should be moved to an Azure Blob Storage archive for long-term storage. The automation must run daily at midnight and must minimize impact on the transactional workload. Additionally, the solution should be cost-effective and require minimal manual intervention. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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 choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using PolyBase. Schedule the procedure using Elastic Database Jobs.
Option B is the correct answer. Elastic Database Jobs can run a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using BULK INSERT or PolyBase. This approach is designed for minimal impact and uses Azure's PaaS capabilities. Option A (Azure Data Factory) is more suitable for complex ETL, but for simple purge and archive, Elastic Jobs is simpler and more cost-effective. Option C (Azure Automation runbook) would require additional components like Hybrid Runbook Worker and may introduce latency. Option D (SQL Agent) is not available in 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.
- ✗
Create a SQL Agent job on the database to run a cleanup script at midnight.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database.
- ✗
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to the database, deletes old data, and uploads it to Blob Storage using AzCopy.
Why it's wrong here
Requires a hybrid worker and is more complex to manage.
- ✓
Create a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using PolyBase. Schedule the procedure using Elastic Database Jobs.
Why this is correct
Elastic Database Jobs can efficiently run T-SQL on a schedule with minimal overhead.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Azure Data Factory with a scheduled trigger to copy data older than 90 days to Blob Storage and then delete it from the table.
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory is overkill for this simple task and may incur higher costs.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Configure and manage automation of tasks practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All DP-300 questions
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Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 study guide
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DP-300 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
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 stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using PolyBase. Schedule the procedure using Elastic Database Jobs. — Option B is the correct answer. Elastic Database Jobs can run a stored procedure that deletes data older than 90 days and exports it to Blob Storage using BULK INSERT or PolyBase. This approach is designed for minimal impact and uses Azure's PaaS capabilities. Option A (Azure Data Factory) is more suitable for complex ETL, but for simple purge and archive, Elastic Jobs is simpler and more cost-effective. Option C (Azure Automation runbook) would require additional components like Hybrid Runbook Worker and may introduce latency. Option D (SQL Agent) is not available in Azure SQL Database.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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