DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is conflating 'recommendation' features (Azure Advisor, Intelligent Insights) with 'automatic implementation' features (automatic tuning) — candidates pick the tool that surfaces the recommendation rather than the one that applies it.
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
✓
Enable automatic tuning for 'CREATE INDEX' in the Azure portal.
Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning feature can automatically apply index recommendations generated by the built-in intelligence engine. Enabling the 'CREATE INDEX' automatic tuning option allows Azure to create recommended indexes without manual intervention, directly addressing the requirement. This option is supported on Business Critical tier and integrates with Intelligent Insights and Query Store to validate the recommendation before applying it.
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 automatic tuning for 'FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN' in the Azure portal.
Why it's wrong here
FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN reverts a query to a previously good execution plan after a regression; it does not create indexes. That automatic tuning option is correct when a plan change degrades performance, whereas the stem requires the suggested index to be implemented automatically.
- ✗
Set up Query Store to capture the recommended index execution.
Why it's wrong here
Query Store records query plans and runtime statistics for performance troubleshooting; it does not apply index recommendations. It would be the right choice when diagnosing plan regressions or identifying top resource-consuming queries, but automatic index creation requires the automatic tuning feature instead.
- ✗
Configure Azure Advisor to email you the recommendation.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Advisor only surfaces recommendations through email or portal notifications, leaving the index creation to a human. It suits periodic review of cost, reliability and performance guidance across subscriptions, but the scenario demands the recommendation be applied without manual intervention.
- ✓
Enable automatic tuning for 'CREATE INDEX' in the Azure portal.
Why this is correct
Automatic tuning applies Intelligent Insights index recommendations directly, creating the suggested index without manual action. Enabling the CREATE INDEX option on the server or database satisfies the no-intervention requirement, and Business Critical tier supports it.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Optimizing Database Query and Index Performance
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
Key term
Query Store
Query Store is a built-in SQL Server feature that captures and stores a history of query execution plans and performance data for easy monitoring and troubleshooting.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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