The answer is to configure autoscale settings in the Azure portal for the SQL database server. This is correct because Azure SQL Database supports autoscaling based on resource metrics like CPU percentage, allowing you to define rules that trigger a scale-up to the next service tier when CPU exceeds 80% for 10 minutes, and a scale-down when it drops below 30% for 30 minutes. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of built-in autoscale policies versus manual scaling or elastic pool configurations—a common trap is confusing autoscale with elastic pool scaling, which handles multiple databases rather than a single database’s tier. Remember the key distinction: autoscale is a per-database, metric-driven feature, not a pool-level action. For a quick memory tip, think “CPU triggers tier shift” to recall that CPU thresholds directly drive service tier changes in autoscale.
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. 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.
You need to automatically scale up an Azure SQL Database to the next service tier when CPU usage exceeds 80% for 10 minutes, then scale back down when CPU drops below 30% for 30 minutes. Which Azure feature should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure autoscale settings in the Azure portal for the SQL database server.
Option D is correct because autoscale settings in Azure SQL Database can be configured to scale based on metrics like CPU percentage. Options A and B are for different purposes. Option C is not a built-in feature.
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.
✗
Azure Automation runbook with PowerShell cmdlets to modify the service objective.
Why it's wrong here
Possible but not the most efficient built-in solution.
✗
Elastic Database Jobs to run ALTER DATABASE MODIFY.
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Database Jobs is for task scheduling, not autoscaling.
✗
Azure Logic Apps with a recurrence trigger and SQL DB REST API.
Why it's wrong here
Custom solution, not native autoscale.
✓
Configure autoscale settings in the Azure portal for the SQL database server.
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database supports autoscale based on metrics.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
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: Configure autoscale settings in the Azure portal for the SQL database server. — Option D is correct because autoscale settings in Azure SQL Database can be configured to scale based on metrics like CPU percentage. Options A and B are for different purposes. Option C is not a built-in feature.
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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