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Guided by A Guide to Cloud
Explore AB-900 AI-901
DP-300

Azure Database Administrator
Associate

The Microsoft certification for Azure SQL DBAs. Master Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance, and SQL on VMs — from security and performance to HA/DR and automation. Written for experienced DBAs learning Azure.

📖

Study Guide

28 interactive modules

Domain 1 (Data Platform Resources — 5 modules) + sample practice questions.

Start Free →
✍️

Practice Exam

200 exam-style questions

Study mode with explanations + timed exam simulation. 4 free questions.

Try Free Questions →

28

Modules

200

Questions

5

Domains

Free

Domain 1 included

📝 Sample Question

A database uses SQL Server Agent, cross-database queries, and Database Mail. Which Azure SQL platform should you migrate to?

A. Azure SQL Database (Hyperscale)
B. Azure SQL Managed Instance ✓
C. Azure SQL Database with elastic pools

📊 What you'll cover

Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources 5 modules
Implement a Secure Environment 6 modules
Monitor, Configure, and Optimize 7 modules
Configure and Manage Automation 4 modules
Plan and Configure HA/DR 6 modules

What you'll learn

🗄️

Three Azure SQL Platforms

SQL Database vs Managed Instance vs SQL on VMs — know when to use which for every scenario.

🔒

Security & Encryption

Entra auth, Always Encrypted, TDE, data masking, ledger, row-level security — the full security stack.

⚡

Performance Tuning

Query Store, DMVs, execution plans, index optimization, and intelligent query processing — with T-SQL examples.

🔄

HA/DR Architecture

Failover groups, geo-replication, Always On AGs, FCIs, log shipping — RPO/RTO decision frameworks.

Full Curriculum

28 interactive modules across 5 exam domains

1

Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources

5 modules

Premium

Choose between Azure SQL DB, Managed Instance, and SQL on VMs. Deploy, scale, compress, and migrate databases to Azure.

  1. 1Choose Your Azure SQL Platform
  2. 2Deploy and Configure Azure SQL
  3. 3Scale, Performance, and Compression
  4. 4Migration Planning: Online vs Offline
  5. 5Execute and Troubleshoot Migrations
Preview Domain
2

Implement a Secure Environment

6 modules

Premium

Entra authentication, permissions, TDE, Always Encrypted, network security, data classification, auditing, masking, ledger, and row-level security.

  1. 1Entra Authentication for Azure SQL
  2. 2Security Principals, Permissions, and T-SQL
  3. 3Encryption: TDE, Always Encrypted, and VBS Enclaves
  4. 4Network Security: Firewalls, Private Links, and Endpoints
  5. 5Data Classification and Auditing
  6. 6Data Masking, Ledger, and Row-Level Security
Preview Domain
3

Monitor, Configure, and Optimize

7 modules

Premium

Performance baselines, database watcher, Extended Events, Query Store, DMVs, execution plans, index and query optimization, and automatic tuning.

  1. 1Performance Baselines and Monitoring Tools
  2. 2Database Watcher and Extended Events
  3. 3Query Store: Configure and Monitor
  4. 4Blocking, DMVs, and Execution Plans
  5. 5Index and Query Optimization
  6. 6Database Maintenance: Indexes, Statistics, and Integrity
  7. 7Automatic Tuning and Performance Settings
Preview Domain
4

Configure and Manage Automation

4 modules

Premium

SQL Server Agent jobs, ARM/Bicep/PowerShell/CLI deployment automation, elastic jobs, and Azure Automation runbooks.

  1. 1Automation Landscape: What Runs Where
  2. 2SQL Server Agent Jobs
  3. 3Deploy with ARM, Bicep, PowerShell, and CLI
  4. 4Elastic Jobs and Azure Automation
Preview Domain
5

Plan and Configure HA/DR

6 modules

Premium

RPO/RTO strategy, backup and restore, point-in-time recovery, geo-replication, failover groups, Always On AGs, FCIs, and log shipping.

  1. 1HA/DR Strategy: RPO, RTO, and Architecture
  2. 2Backup and Restore: Strategy and Native Tools
  3. 3Point-in-Time Restore, LTR, and Cloud Backup
  4. 4Geo-Replication and Failover Groups
  5. 5Always On: Availability Groups and FCIs
  6. 6Log Shipping and HA/DR Operations
Preview Domain

Practice Exam Lab

200 original questions — two study modes

📖

Study Mode

Learn as you go

  • ✓ See explanation after each question
  • ✓ "Why wrong" for every option
  • ✓ Real-world context & exam tips
  • ✓ Microsoft Learn links
⏱️

Exam Mode

Simulate the real thing

  • ✓ 120 minutes timed session
  • ✓ Randomised question order
  • ✓ Score breakdown by domain
  • ✓ Pass/fail against 700 / 1000
1

Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources

35 questions · Exam weight: 15-20%

4 Free

10

Easy

16

Medium

9

Hard

Every question includes a scenario, detailed explanation, and a link to Microsoft Learn.

Try Free Questions →
2

Implement a Secure Environment

45 questions · Exam weight: 20-25%

0 Free

13

Easy

20

Medium

12

Hard

Every question includes a scenario, detailed explanation, and a link to Microsoft Learn.

Preview Questions
3

Monitor, Configure, and Optimize

50 questions · Exam weight: 20-25%

0 Free

15

Easy

23

Medium

12

Hard

Every question includes a scenario, detailed explanation, and a link to Microsoft Learn.

Preview Questions
4

Configure and Manage Automation

30 questions · Exam weight: 15-20%

0 Free

9

Easy

14

Medium

7

Hard

Every question includes a scenario, detailed explanation, and a link to Microsoft Learn.

Preview Questions
5

Plan and Configure HA/DR

40 questions · Exam weight: 20-25%

0 Free

12

Easy

18

Medium

10

Hard

Every question includes a scenario, detailed explanation, and a link to Microsoft Learn.

Preview Questions

🎁 Free tier: 4 questions. No account needed.

Choose your path

Start free. Upgrade when you're ready.

Practice Exam

$14

one-time purchase

  • ✓ 200 exam-style questions
  • ✓ Study mode + Exam mode
  • ✓ Detailed explanations

Study Guide

$19

one-time purchase

  • ✓ 28 interactive modules
  • ✓ Flashcards & ELI5
  • ✓ Progress tracking
Recommended

Complete Bundle

$29

save $4

  • ✓ Everything in both
  • ★ Best value

🎁 Free tier: Domain 1 (Data Platform Resources — 5 modules) + sample practice questions. No account needed.

About the DP-300 Exam

Exam code
DP-300
Duration
120 minutes
Passing score
700 / 1000
Question types
MCQ, multi-select, case studies
Cost
$165 USD

Exam Domains & Weights

D1: Plan and Implement Data Platform Resources (15-20%)
D2: Implement a Secure Environment (20-25%)
D3: Monitor, Configure, and Optimize (20-25%)
D4: Configure and Manage Automation (15-20%)
D5: Plan and Configure HA/DR (20-25%)
View on Microsoft Learn →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DP-300 an intermediate or beginner exam?
Intermediate (Associate level). You need SQL Server and Azure experience. This is not a fundamentals exam.
What's included in the free tier?
Domain 1 (Data Platform Resources — 5 modules) plus sample practice questions. No account needed.
How is this different from Microsoft Learn?
Microsoft Learn is a reference. Guided is a study experience — flashcards, quizzes, ELI5 explanations, T-SQL examples, and brand-universe scenarios.
Do I need hands-on SQL Server experience?
Yes — DP-300 assumes you know T-SQL and SQL Server administration. This guide teaches the Azure-specific skills.
Is this a one-time purchase or subscription?
One-time purchase. Pay once, access forever.
Does this cover SQL on Azure VMs or just PaaS?
All three platforms: Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance, AND SQL Server on Azure VMs. The exam tests all three.

Ready to start?

Try the free tier. Upgrade when you're ready to pass.

Start Free → Try Practice Quiz

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Guided is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Microsoft. Microsoft, Azure, and related trademarks are property of Microsoft Corporation. Always verify information against Microsoft Learn.