The answer is CREATE INDEX, DROP INDEX, and FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN, as these three options constitute the complete set of automatic tuning options available in Azure SQL Database. These features allow the database engine to autonomously manage index performance and query plan stability, with CREATE INDEX addressing missing indexes, DROP INDEX removing unused ones, and FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN reverting to a known stable plan when a regression is detected. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between automated and manual performance tuning features; a common trap is confusing FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN with manual plan guides or mistaking automatic plan correction for a separate feature. Remember that automatic tuning is about hands-off optimization—if you have to manually intervene, it’s not an automatic option. A useful mnemonic is “CDF” for Create, Drop, Force—think of it as the database tuning its own “CDF” (cumulative distribution function) for performance.
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. 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.
Which THREE factors should you consider when configuring automatic tuning for an Azure SQL Database? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Whether to allow automatic index dropping.
Options A, B, and C are correct. Automatic tuning options include CREATE INDEX, DROP INDEX, and FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN. Option D is not an automatic tuning option; it's a manual feature. Option E is not part of automatic tuning.
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.
✗
Whether to enable automatic plan guide creation.
Why it's wrong here
Plan guides are not part of automatic tuning.
✓
Whether to allow automatic index dropping.
Why this is correct
Automatic tuning can drop unused or duplicate indexes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Whether to enable automatic statistics update.
Why it's wrong here
Statistics update is automatic by default, not part of automatic tuning.
✓
Whether to force the last good plan for queries with plan regressions.
Why this is correct
This helps stabilize performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Whether to allow automatic index creation.
Why this is correct
Automatic tuning can create indexes that improve performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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: Whether to allow automatic index dropping. — Options A, B, and C are correct. Automatic tuning options include CREATE INDEX, DROP INDEX, and FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN. Option D is not an automatic tuning option; it's a manual feature. Option E is not part of automatic tuning.
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.
About these practice questions
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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 are monitoring an Azure SQL Database using Intelligent Insights. The built-in intelligence detects a performance issue and suggests a specific index to create. The database is running the Business Critical service tier. You want to automatically implement this recommendation without manual intervention. What should you configure?
easy
A.Enable automatic tuning for 'FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN' in the Azure portal.
B.Set up Query Store to capture the recommended index execution.
C.Configure Azure Advisor to email you the recommendation.
✓ D.Enable automatic tuning for 'CREATE INDEX' in the Azure portal.
Why D: Option A is correct because Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning can automatically implement index recommendations. Option B is wrong because automatic tuning for plan correction is separate. Option C is wrong because it only provides recommendations. Option D is wrong because Query Store is a monitoring tool, not an automatic tuning feature.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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