The answer is to set the dropIndex option state to Disabled in the automatic tuning policy. This is correct because Azure SQL Database’s automatic tuning has three independent options—createIndex, dropIndex, and forcePlan—and disabling only dropIndex preserves the performance benefits of the other two while preventing the system from removing indexes that are critical for query performance. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of granular tuning policy control, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly disable all tuning or rely on manual re-creation. A common memory tip is to think of the three options as a three-legged stool: you can remove the “drop” leg without collapsing the others, keeping your critical indexes safe while still enjoying automatic plan forcing and index creation.
DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You have configured the automatic tuning policy as shown. After a week, you notice that an index has been dropped automatically, causing a critical query to run slowly. What should you do to prevent this in the future while still benefiting from automatic tuning?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the dropIndex option state to Disabled in the tuning policy.
Option C is correct because disabling the dropIndex option prevents automatic index drops while keeping forcePlan and createIndex enabled. Option A is wrong because disabling all automatic tuning removes all benefits. Option B is wrong because reverting by creating a manual index does not prevent future drops. Option D is wrong because Query Store does not prevent index drops.
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.
✗
Manually create the dropped index and mark it as a required index.
Why it's wrong here
Does not prevent future automatic drops.
✗
Enable Query Store to track index usage.
Why it's wrong here
Query Store monitors but does not control automatic tuning actions.
✓
Set the dropIndex option state to Disabled in the tuning policy.
Why this is correct
Prevents automatic index drops while retaining other tuning features.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable automatic tuning entirely.
Why it's wrong here
Loses all tuning benefits.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
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.
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: Set the dropIndex option state to Disabled in the tuning policy. — Option C is correct because disabling the dropIndex option prevents automatic index drops while keeping forcePlan and createIndex enabled. Option A is wrong because disabling all automatic tuning removes all benefits. Option B is wrong because reverting by creating a manual index does not prevent future drops. Option D is wrong because Query Store does not prevent index drops.
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.
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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