DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
You need to deploy an Azure SQL Database that automatically scales compute resources based on workload demand, with minimal administrative overhead. The database should scale between a minimum and maximum number of vCores. Which purchasing model and service tier should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse the Provisioned tier with automatic scaling; Provisioned requires manual scaling, while Serverless scales automatically.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
vCore-based purchasing model with the Serverless compute tier.
The vCore-based Serverless compute tier is designed for automatic scaling and minimal administration. It scales compute based on workload and can pause during inactivity, making it ideal for applications with unpredictable or intermittent usage. It allows setting a minimum and maximum vCore range, providing control over cost and performance.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DTU-based purchasing model with the Basic service tier.
Why it's wrong here
The DTU-based model does not support automatic scaling of compute resources. The Basic tier is limited in resources and is designed for small, light workloads. It cannot dynamically adjust vCores based on demand, so it does not meet the requirement for automatic scaling.
- ✗
vCore-based purchasing model with the Provisioned compute tier.
Why it's wrong here
The Provisioned compute tier requires you to manually select and adjust the number of vCores; it does not automatically scale based on workload. While it offers predictable performance, it lacks the automatic scaling and pausing capabilities of the Serverless tier, so it does not meet the requirement.
- ✗
DTU-based purchasing model with the Standard service tier.
Why it's wrong here
The DTU-based model does not support automatic scaling of compute resources. The Standard tier provides fixed DTU levels that must be manually changed. It cannot dynamically adjust based on demand, so it is not suitable for this scenario.
- ✓
vCore-based purchasing model with the Serverless compute tier.
Why this is correct
The vCore-based Serverless tier automatically scales compute resources based on workload demand and allows you to set a minimum and maximum number of vCores. It also pauses during idle periods to reduce cost. This model provides minimal administrative overhead because scaling is handled automatically by the platform.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Monitoring Database Performance with Azure Tools
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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