Question 359 of 953

Configure and manage automation of tasks →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is to create a SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables. This works because sys.dm_db_stats_properties provides the modification_counter column, which tracks row changes since the last statistics update, allowing you to efficiently filter for tables where more than 10% of rows have been modified. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of self-contained automation within Azure SQL Managed Instance, where SQL Agent is the native scheduler—unlike Azure Automation or Elastic Database Jobs, which are either external or unsupported. A common trap is assuming automatic tuning handles statistics, but it only manages indexes. Memory tip: think "stats agent, not external crutch"—SQL Agent keeps the automation inside the instance.

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 logistics company that uses Azure SQL Managed Instance. The instance hosts a database that tracks shipments. You need to automate the process of updating statistics for all tables in the database every night. The update should only include tables that have had more than 10% of rows modified since the last statistics update. The automation must be efficient and not rebuild statistics unnecessarily. Additionally, the solution should be self-contained within the Managed Instance and not rely on external services. What should you do?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

A
Create a SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables.
SQL Agent is available and this approach is efficient.
B
Enable automatic tuning for the database to automatically update statistics.
Why wrong: Automatic tuning does not update statistics; it manages indexes and query plans.
C
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to the instance and runs sp_updatestats.
Why wrong: Azure Automation requires hybrid worker and is less efficient than SQL Agent.
D
Use Elastic Database Jobs to schedule a T-SQL script that updates all statistics unconditionally.
Why wrong: Elastic Database Jobs is not available for Managed Instance.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables.

Option B is correct. SQL Agent is available on Managed Instance and can execute a stored procedure that checks modification counters (sys.dm_db_stats_properties) and updates only those statistics that meet the threshold. Option A is incorrect because Elastic Database Jobs is not available for Managed Instance. Option C is incorrect because Azure Automation would require a hybrid worker and is less efficient. Option D is incorrect because automatic tuning does not update statistics based on modification percentage; it only manages indexes.

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 with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables.
Why this is correct
SQL Agent is available and this approach is efficient.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable automatic tuning for the database to automatically update statistics.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic tuning does not update statistics; it manages indexes and query plans.
✗
Use Azure Automation with a PowerShell runbook that connects to the instance and runs sp_updatestats.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Automation requires hybrid worker and is less efficient than SQL Agent.
✗
Use Elastic Database Jobs to schedule a T-SQL script that updates all statistics unconditionally.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Database Jobs is not available for Managed Instance.

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 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.

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.

Related DP-300 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment.

Plan and implement data platform resources practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and implement data platform resources.

Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources.

Configure and manage automation of tasks practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Configure and manage automation of tasks.

Plan and configure high availability and disaster recovery practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Plan and configure high availability and disaster recovery.

Implement a secure environment practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to Implement a secure environment.

DP-300 fundamentals practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 fundamentals.

DP-300 scenario practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 scenario.

DP-300 troubleshooting practice questions

Practise DP-300 questions linked to DP-300 troubleshooting.

Practice this exam

Start a free DP-300 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions 20 questions 30 questions 50 questions Timed 30

DP-300 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

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 SQL Agent job with a T-SQL script that uses sys.dm_db_stats_properties to identify tables needing statistics updates based on modification counters, then executes UPDATE STATISTICS only on those tables. — Option B is correct. SQL Agent is available on Managed Instance and can execute a stored procedure that checks modification counters (sys.dm_db_stats_properties) and updates only those statistics that meet the threshold. Option A is incorrect because Elastic Database Jobs is not available for Managed Instance. Option C is incorrect because Azure Automation would require a hybrid worker and is less efficient. Option D is incorrect because automatic tuning does not update statistics based on modification percentage; it only manages indexes.

What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?

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 →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Keep practising

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.

Loading comments…

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.