DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. 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.
You manage an Azure SQL Database that supports a critical application. You need to automate the process of rebuilding indexes that have fragmentation above 30% on a weekly basis. The solution must use built-in database features and minimize performance impact. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 and set the 'Force plan' and 'Create index' options.
Option C is correct because Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning feature includes the 'Create index' option, which can automatically rebuild indexes with high fragmentation when enabled. This uses built-in database features without requiring external scripts or jobs, and it minimizes performance impact by leveraging the database engine's own intelligent scheduling and execution.
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.
✗
Create a SQL Agent job that runs ALTER INDEX REBUILD on all indexes with fragmentation >30%.
Why it's wrong here
May cause performance impact during rebuild, and not fully automated without monitoring.
✗
Use Azure Automation to run a PowerShell script that checks fragmentation and rebuilds indexes.
Why it's wrong here
External automation adds complexity and is not a built-in database feature.
✓
Enable automatic tuning and set the 'Force plan' and 'Create index' options.
Why this is correct
Automatic tuning automatically manages index creation and performance without manual intervention.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Schedule a weekly job using elastic jobs to reorganize all indexes.
Why it's wrong here
Reorganize may not be sufficient for high fragmentation and does not rebuild.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume SQL Agent jobs or external automation are necessary for index maintenance, but Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning provides a built-in, low-impact solution that directly addresses fragmentation without requiring custom scripts or jobs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Automatic tuning in Azure SQL Database uses the database engine's own index management logic, which analyzes fragmentation patterns and schedules rebuild operations during low-activity periods to minimize performance impact. The 'Create index' option specifically addresses missing indexes and fragmentation, while 'Force plan' prevents plan regressions; both are part of the built-in intelligent performance features that operate without manual intervention. In practice, this feature is ideal for critical applications where automated, low-impact maintenance is required, as it adapts to workload patterns and avoids the overhead of custom scripts.
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.
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable automatic tuning and set the 'Force plan' and 'Create index' options. — Option C is correct because Azure SQL Database's automatic tuning feature includes the 'Create index' option, which can automatically rebuild indexes with high fragmentation when enabled. This uses built-in database features without requiring external scripts or jobs, and it minimizes performance impact by leveraging the database engine's own intelligent scheduling and execution.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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