The answer is to enable automated backups and configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days. This is correct because Azure SQL Database’s automated backups, combined with point-in-time restore (PITR), allow you to recover the entire database to any second within the configured retention window—up to 35 days—effectively reversing accidental table drops or data modifications by administrators. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that PITR operates at the database level, not the table level, so you must restore the full database to a timestamp just before the incident. A common trap is thinking you can restore a single dropped table directly; instead, you restore the whole database and then extract the needed table. Memory tip: think “35-day safety net” for financial apps—PITR catches every second, not just daily snapshots.
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 deploying an Azure SQL Database that will be used by a critical financial application. The database must be protected against accidental deletion or modification of data by administrators. You need to implement a solution that allows point-in-time restore to any point within the last 35 days, even if an administrator accidentally drops a table. Which feature should you enable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable automated backups and configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days.
Option C is correct because Azure SQL Database's automated backups with point-in-time restore (PITR) allow you to restore a database to any point within the configured retention period, up to 35 days. This includes recovery from accidental table drops or data modifications, as PITR operates at the database level and can recover to a specific timestamp before the incident occurred.
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.
Enable the Azure SQL Database recycle bin feature.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database does not have a recycle bin.
✓
Enable automated backups and configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days.
Why this is correct
Point-in-time restore can recover from accidental data modification.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Set up Active Geo-Replication with a failover group.
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication provides disaster recovery, not point-in-time recovery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'recycle bin' feature from on-premises SQL Server with Azure SQL Database, or mistakenly think LTR or geo-replication can undo accidental data changes, when in fact only PITR with the correct retention period provides this capability.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Point-in-time restore works by leveraging transaction log backups taken every 5-10 minutes, allowing restoration to any second within the retention window. The retention period for automated backups can be configured from 1 to 35 days via the Azure portal or T-SQL (e.g., ALTER DATABASE SET PITR_RETENTION = 35). In a real-world scenario, if an administrator accidentally drops a table at 10:15 AM, you can restore the database to 10:14 AM, recovering the lost data without needing separate backups.
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.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable automated backups and configure point-in-time restore with a retention period of 35 days. — Option C is correct because Azure SQL Database's automated backups with point-in-time restore (PITR) allow you to restore a database to any point within the configured retention period, up to 35 days. This includes recovery from accidental table drops or data modifications, as PITR operates at the database level and can recover to a specific timestamp before the incident occurred.
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.
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Question Discussion
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