The answer is to create an elastic job agent with a T-SQL script for index maintenance targeting all databases. This is the correct choice because an elastic job agent is a built-in Azure feature designed specifically to automate index maintenance on Azure SQL Managed Instance across multiple databases with minimal administrative overhead. It natively handles scheduling, retries, and target group membership, eliminating the need for external tools or manual scripting. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of native automation versus third-party solutions; a common trap is choosing SQL Agent jobs, which cannot target multiple databases in a managed instance without complex workarounds. Remember that elastic jobs are the only built-in service that can run T-SQL across an entire instance seamlessly. Memory tip: think "Elastic for Elastic—jobs stretch across all databases."
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.
A company uses Azure SQL Managed Instance. They need to automate index maintenance for all databases in the instance. The solution must minimize administrative overhead and use built-in Azure features. 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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an elastic job agent with a T-SQL script for index maintenance targeting all databases.
Option C is correct because an elastic job agent is a built-in Azure feature designed specifically for automating administrative tasks across multiple databases in Azure SQL Managed Instance. It allows you to create a T-SQL script for index maintenance and target all databases in the instance with minimal overhead, as it manages scheduling, retries, and target group membership natively.
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.
✗
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to each database and runs index maintenance.
Why it's wrong here
This requires custom scripting and additional management, not minimizing overhead.
✗
Configure a SQL Agent job on the instance to run index maintenance on the master database.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Agent job runs on a single database, not all databases.
✓
Create an elastic job agent with a T-SQL script for index maintenance targeting all databases.
Why this is correct
Elastic job agent is designed for automating tasks across databases in a managed instance 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 to schedule a stored procedure execution for each database.
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory is not optimized for database maintenance tasks and adds complexity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates might confuse SQL Agent jobs (which are database-scoped in Managed Instance) with the ability to run cross-database tasks, or assume Azure Automation is the only built-in option, when in fact elastic job agents are the native, low-overhead solution for multi-database automation in Azure SQL Managed Instance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Elastic job agents use a job database (typically in Azure SQL Database) to store job definitions, target groups, and execution history, and they connect to SQL Managed Instance via T-SQL endpoints. Under the hood, the agent leverages a service-managed scheduler that distributes job execution across targets, handling failures and retries automatically, which is ideal for index maintenance scripts that must run on each database sequentially or in parallel. In a real-world scenario, you can define a target group containing all user databases in the instance using the `@target_type = 'SqlDatabase'` parameter, ensuring maintenance runs without manual database enumeration.
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 DP-300 question in full detail.
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 an elastic job agent with a T-SQL script for index maintenance targeting all databases. — Option C is correct because an elastic job agent is a built-in Azure feature designed specifically for automating administrative tasks across multiple databases in Azure SQL Managed Instance. It allows you to create a T-SQL script for index maintenance and target all databases in the instance with minimal overhead, as it manages scheduling, retries, and target group membership natively.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
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