Quick Answer
The correct choice is to use the default backup retention of 7 days, as this configuration directly meets the requirement for point-in-time restore within that window without any additional policy changes. Azure SQL Database automatically enables point-in-time restore (PITR) with a default retention period of 7 days, meaning the service retains full, differential, and transaction log backups for exactly that duration, allowing you to restore to any second within the last seven days. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding of default backup policies versus custom configurations—a common trap is assuming you must manually set a 7-day retention policy or select a higher tier, when in fact the default already satisfies the requirement for development environments. Remember that for production workloads, you might extend retention up to 35 days, but for a dev scenario with a 7-day requirement, the default is sufficient. Memory tip: "Default 7 for dev heaven"—the out-of-the-box setting is all you need for a development database with a one-week restore window.
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform 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 create a new Azure SQL Database for a development environment. The development team requires the ability to restore the database to any point in time within the last 7 days. Which backup policy configuration should you choose?
Configure long-term retention (LTR) for 90 days
Why wrong: LTR is for longer retention, not needed.
Configure point-in-time restore for 35 days
Why wrong: 7 days is sufficient; 35 days adds unnecessary cost.
Use the default backup retention of 7 days
Default PITR is 7 days, which meets the requirement.
Configure point-in-time restore for 1 day
Why wrong: 1 day is insufficient for development needs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use the default backup retention of 7 days
The default backup retention for Azure SQL Database is 7 days, which meets the requirement to restore to any point in time within the last 7 days without additional configuration. Point-in-time restore (PITR) is enabled by default with this retention period, allowing automatic backups and restores within that window. No further backup policy changes are needed for this development environment.
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.
Configure long-term retention (LTR) for 90 days
Why it's wrong here
LTR is for longer retention, not needed.
Configure point-in-time restore for 35 days
Why it's wrong here
7 days is sufficient; 35 days adds unnecessary cost.
Use the default backup retention of 7 days
Why this is correct
Default PITR is 7 days, which meets the requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Configure point-in-time restore for 1 day
Why it's wrong here
1 day is insufficient for development needs.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often overthink and select a longer retention period (like 35 days) or a different feature (like LTR), not realizing the default 7-day retention already satisfies the exact requirement without extra configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure SQL Database automatically performs full, differential, and transaction log backups every 5-10 minutes, enabling point-in-time restore to any second within the configured retention period. The default 7-day retention is configurable up to 35 days via the Azure portal or T-SQL, but for a development environment, the default is cost-effective and sufficient. Under the hood, the restore process uses these backups to reconstruct the database state at a specific timestamp, leveraging the log sequence number (LSN) chain.
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
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FAQ
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use the default backup retention of 7 days — The default backup retention for Azure SQL Database is 7 days, which meets the requirement to restore to any point in time within the last 7 days without additional configuration. Point-in-time restore (PITR) is enabled by default with this retention period, allowing automatic backups and restores within that window. No further backup policy changes are needed for this development environment.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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