Quick Answer
The answer is to configure autoscale settings for the database, which directly addresses the need to autoscale Azure SQL Database based on CPU usage. This feature, available under both the DTU and vCore purchasing models, allows you to define scaling rules triggered by metrics like CPU percentage, enabling the database to automatically increase or decrease resources without manual intervention. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of scaling mechanisms versus other management tools; a common trap is confusing autoscale with elastic pools, which are designed for cost-efficient management of multiple databases rather than scaling a single one, or with automatic tuning, which optimizes query performance but does not adjust resource allocation. Remember the memory tip: “Scale up a single DB with autoscale, pool many DBs with elastic, tune queries with automatic tuning.”
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 Azure SQL Database to automatically scale up based on CPU usage. Which feature should you use?
Autoscale settings for the database
Enables automatic scaling based on workload.
Elastic job
Why wrong: Used for scheduling administrative tasks.
Elastic pool
Why wrong: Pools share resources among databases, not auto-scaling.
Automatic tuning
Why wrong: Optimizes queries and indexes, not scaling.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Autoscale settings for the database
Option B is correct because autoscale settings on the DTU or vCore model allow automatic scaling based on metrics like CPU. Option A is wrong because elastic pools are for managing multiple databases, not auto-scaling a single database. Option C is wrong because elastic jobs are for scheduling tasks. Option D is wrong because automatic tuning optimizes performance but does not scale resources.
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.
Autoscale settings for the database
Why this is correct
Enables automatic scaling based on workload.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Elastic job
Why it's wrong here
Used for scheduling administrative tasks.
Elastic pool
Why it's wrong here
Pools share resources among databases, not auto-scaling.
Automatic tuning
Why it's wrong here
Optimizes queries and indexes, not scaling.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — study guide chapter
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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: Autoscale settings for the database — Option B is correct because autoscale settings on the DTU or vCore model allow automatic scaling based on metrics like CPU. Option A is wrong because elastic pools are for managing multiple databases, not auto-scaling a single database. Option C is wrong because elastic jobs are for scheduling tasks. Option D is wrong because automatic tuning optimizes performance but does not scale resources.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. Which TWO metrics are available in Azure Monitor for an Azure SQL Database that can be used to set autoscale rules? (Select two.)
easyWhy A: Options A and D are correct because DTU percentage and CPU percentage are standard metrics for autoscaling. Option B is wrong because deadlocks are an event, not a continuous metric. Option C is wrong because log write throughput is not typically used for autoscale. Option E is wrong because Query Store is not a metric source.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This DP-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-300 exam.
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