The correct answer is that the login password has expired, and updating the password in the job step resolves the error. This is because Azure SQL Database enforces SQL Server password policy by default, which includes password expiration, and the SQL Server Agent job uses SQL authentication credentials that are stored statically in the job step. When the password expires, the job fails intermittently with the 'Login failed for user' error, as the cached credentials are no longer valid. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database authentication limitations—specifically that Windows authentication is not supported for SQL Agent jobs, and that password policy expiration is a common cause of intermittent job failures. A common trap is to assume the issue is a network or permission problem, but the intermittent nature points directly to expiration. Memory tip: think of the job step password like a milk carton—it has an expiration date, and you must refresh it before it sours.
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 have an Azure SQL Database that uses the SQL Server Agent to run a daily maintenance job. The job fails intermittently with the error 'Login failed for user'. The job uses a SQL Server authentication login. What is the most likely cause and solution?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The login password has expired; update the password in the job step.
Option B is correct because the password may have expired (if SQL Server password policy is enforced). Azure SQL Database does not support Windows authentication for SQL Agent jobs. Option A would not cause login failure. Option C is irrelevant. Option D is wrong because the job already uses SQL authentication.
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.
✗
The database is in a failover group and the secondary is read-only; connect to the primary.
Why it's wrong here
Login failure is not related to read-only routing.
✓
The login password has expired; update the password in the job step.
Why this is correct
SQL Server password expiration can cause intermittent login failures.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The job schedule is conflicting with another job; change the schedule.
Why it's wrong here
Would not cause login failure.
✗
The SQL Server Agent is not running; start the agent.
Why it's wrong here
Agent runs the job; if it wasn't running, the job would not start at all.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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: The login password has expired; update the password in the job step. — Option B is correct because the password may have expired (if SQL Server password policy is enforced). Azure SQL Database does not support Windows authentication for SQL Agent jobs. Option A would not cause login failure. Option C is irrelevant. Option D is wrong because the job already uses SQL authentication.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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