- A
DROP_INDEX
Why wrong: Drops unused indexes, not related to plan regression.
- B
CREATE_INDEX
Why wrong: Automatically creates indexes, not related to plan forcing.
- C
CORRECT_INDEX
Why wrong: There is no such option; automatic index tuning includes CREATE and DROP.
- D
FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN
Identifies and forces the last good plan to avoid regressions.
Question 442 of 963
Azure SQL Database Automatic Plan Correction: Using FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN to Fix Query Regressions
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. 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 configuring automatic tuning for an Azure SQL Database. The database has a heavy OLTP workload. You want to automatically correct query plan choice regressions without manual intervention. Which automatic tuning option should you enable?
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
✓
FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN
Option D, FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN, is the correct automatic tuning option for Azure SQL Database to automatically correct query plan choice regressions. When the database engine detects that a newly compiled query plan performs worse than the previously known good plan, it can automatically force the last known good plan without manual intervention, which is ideal for a heavy OLTP workload where performance stability is critical.
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.
- ✗
DROP_INDEX
Why it's wrong here
Drops unused indexes, not related to plan regression.
- ✗
CREATE_INDEX
Why it's wrong here
Automatically creates indexes, not related to plan forcing.
- ✗
CORRECT_INDEX
Why it's wrong here
There is no such option; automatic index tuning includes CREATE and DROP.
- ✓
FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN
Why this is correct
Identifies and forces the last good plan to avoid regressions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse index tuning options (CREATE_INDEX, DROP_INDEX) with query plan regression correction, mistakenly thinking that creating or dropping indexes will fix a plan choice regression, when in fact FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN is the specific feature designed for that purpose.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN option leverages the Query Store to track plan performance over time; when a plan regression is detected (e.g., a new plan causes higher CPU or duration), Azure SQL Database can automatically revert to the last known good plan by applying a plan guide. This is particularly useful in OLTP workloads where even minor plan changes can cause significant performance degradation, and it operates without requiring application code changes or manual DBA intervention.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN — Option D, FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN, is the correct automatic tuning option for Azure SQL Database to automatically correct query plan choice regressions. When the database engine detects that a newly compiled query plan performs worse than the previously known good plan, it can automatically force the last known good plan without manual intervention, which is ideal for a heavy OLTP workload where performance stability is critical.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on DP-300
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 manage an Azure SQL Database that uses automatic tuning. The database has the FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN option enabled. A critical query suddenly starts performing poorly after a plan change. What is the expected behavior?
hard- A.The query will continue with the poor plan until you manually force a plan.
- B.You will receive a recommendation to revert the plan change.
- ✓ C.The database will automatically revert to the last good plan and log the event in sys.dm_db_tuning_recommendations.
- D.The database will automatically revert to the last good plan without notification.
Why C: When FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN is enabled and automatic tuning detects a plan regression, Azure SQL Database automatically reverts to the last known good plan. The event is logged in sys.dm_db_tuning_recommendations for audit and analysis. This behavior is part of the automatic plan correction feature, which does not require manual intervention.
Variation 2. You have an Azure SQL Managed Instance and notice that automatic tuning is not enabled. You want to automatically force a plan that performed better than the existing plan. What should you enable?
easy- A.Automatic index management (DROP INDEX)
- B.Automatic index management (CREATE INDEX)
- ✓ C.Automatic plan correction (FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN)
- D.Intelligent Insights
Why C: Automatic plan correction (FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN) is the correct feature to automatically force a plan that performed better than the existing plan. Option A (DROP INDEX) and Option B (CREATE INDEX) are for index management, not plan forcing. Option D (Intelligent Insights) provides analysis but does not automatically force plans.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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