Quick Answer
The correct answer is CREATE INDEX and FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN, as these are the two automatic tuning options that can be enabled in Azure SQL Database. Automatic tuning uses intelligent performance analysis to recommend and apply changes: CREATE INDEX suggests missing indexes to improve query speed, while FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN reverts a query plan regression to a known good plan without manual intervention. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of Azure SQL’s built-in tuning capabilities versus manual index management—a common trap is assuming DROP INDEX is an option, but Azure SQL never automatically drops indexes due to risk of breaking workloads. Remember that automatic tuning is proactive and additive, not destructive, so think “add and fix, never remove.” A helpful mnemonic is “C-FORCE”: CREATE and FORCE are the only two automatic tuning levers you can pull.
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. 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 configure automatic tuning for an Azure SQL Database to automatically identify and fix performance issues. Which two tuning options can be enabled?
FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN
This is a valid automatic tuning option.
CREATE INDEX
This is a valid automatic tuning option.
DROP INDEX
Why wrong: DROP INDEX is not an automatic tuning option.
FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN and DROP INDEX
Why wrong: Includes DROP INDEX which is not an option.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN
Automatic tuning in Azure SQL Database includes FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN and CREATE INDEX. DROP INDEX is not an automatic tuning option. Option A and B are the correct ones. Option C is wrong because automatic tuning does not include DROP INDEX. Option D is wrong because it includes DROP INDEX.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN
Why this is correct
This is a valid automatic tuning option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CREATE INDEX
Why this is correct
This is a valid automatic tuning option.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
DROP INDEX
Why it's wrong here
DROP INDEX is not an automatic tuning option.
FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN and DROP INDEX
Why it's wrong here
Includes DROP INDEX which is not an option.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN — Automatic tuning in Azure SQL Database includes FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN and CREATE INDEX. DROP INDEX is not an automatic tuning option. Option A and B are the correct ones. Option C is wrong because automatic tuning does not include DROP INDEX. Option D is wrong because it includes DROP INDEX.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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 configuring automatic tuning for an Azure SQL Database. The database has a heavy OLTP workload. You want to automatically correct query plan choice regressions without manual intervention. Which automatic tuning option should you enable?
hardWhy D: Option A is correct because FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN automatically forces the last known good plan when a regression is detected. Option B is wrong because it creates indexes automatically, which is not about plan regression. Option C is wrong because it drops unused indexes. Option D is wrong because it corrects nonclustered indexes, not query plans.
Variation 2. You are configuring Azure SQL Database automatic tuning. You want to enable the feature that automatically creates and drops indexes based on workload patterns. Which option should you enable?
easyWhy C: Option D is correct because the automatic tuning option for index management is called 'Create Index' and 'Drop Index'. Option A is wrong because 'Force Last Good Plan' is for plan regression. Option B is wrong because 'Force Parameterization' is a different tuning option. Option C is wrong because 'CREATE INDEX' is a manual command, not an automatic tuning option.
Variation 3. You are configuring automatic tuning for an Azure SQL Database. Which THREE recommendations can be applied automatically without manual approval?
mediumWhy A: Options A, B, and D are correct. Automatic tuning includes FORCE LAST GOOD PLAN, CREATE INDEX, and DROP INDEX. Option C is wrong because modify statistics is not an automatic tuning option. Option E is wrong because enabling database compression is not part of automatic tuning.
Variation 4. You have an Azure SQL Database that uses automatic tuning. Which TWO benefits does automatic tuning provide?
easyWhy B: Options A and D are correct. Automatic tuning can create missing indexes and identify and correct query plan regressions. Option B is wrong because automatic tuning does not automatically scale compute; that's auto-scale. Option C is wrong because it does not manage statistics automatically. Option E is wrong because it does not manage read replicas.
Variation 5. You have an Azure SQL Managed Instance and notice that automatic tuning is not enabled. You want to automatically force a plan that performed better than the existing plan. What should you enable?
easyWhy C: Option A is correct because the FORCE_LAST_GOOD_PLAN option in automatic tuning automatically forces a plan when a regression is detected. Option B is wrong because CREATE INDEX automates index creation, not plan forcing. Option C is wrong because DROP INDEX is for unused indexes. Option D is wrong because Intelligent Insights provides analysis but does not automatically force plans.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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