DP-300 is about running SQL on Azure as a database administrator: choosing between SQL Database, Managed Instance and SQL Server on VMs, migrating, securing, tuning, automating and protecting databases. This outline follows the Microsoft Learn skills measured (updated October 27, 2026) and lists what each domain expects, in plain terms. Tick topics off as you cover them. Your ticks are saved in this browser.
This outline follows the official DP-300 exam guide . Check it for the exact wording.
Plan and implement data platform resources 15–20% Choosing the right Azure SQL platform, deploying and scaling it, and migrating databases with the right amount of downtime.
Plan and deploy Azure SQL solutions Recommending SQL Database, Managed Instance or SQL Server on a VM from feature, compatibility and control requirements Choosing a repeatable deployment method: ARM, Bicep, PowerShell, CLI Use cases for Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server and SQL Managed Instance Use cases for SQL database in Microsoft Fabric Planning table partitioning: function, scheme, boundaries and switching Recommending a sharding design with the elastic database tools and shard map manager Deploying databases on the chosen platform Deploying hybrid solutions: Managed Instance link, replication, log shipping, stretched availability groups Patching and updates: maintenance windows on PaaS, automated patching and Update Manager on VMs and hybrid Configure resources for scale and performance SQL Database: tiers, vCore vs DTU, serverless, Hyperscale, elastic pools, read scale-out Managed Instance: service tier, hardware, vCores, storage, instance pools SQL Server on VMs: VM size, disk layout, caching, tempdb, memory settings Configuring table partitioning in practice Row, page and columnstore compression, and estimating the savings Plan and implement a migration strategy
Implement a secure environment 20–25% Controlling who can connect and what they can do, protecting data at rest and in transit, and meeting compliance needs.
Configure database authentication and authorization Implement security for data at rest and data in transit Implement compliance controls for sensitive data
Monitor, configure and optimize database resources 20–25% Measuring normal behaviour, finding what is slow or blocked, and tuning with indexes, statistics, Query Store and the engine's automatic features.
Monitor resource activity and performance Capturing an operational performance baseline Sources for metrics: Azure Monitor, diagnostic settings, DMVs, Query Store, PerfMon Interpreting CPU, IO, log, worker and storage metrics Configuring alerts and performance dashboards Database watcher: targets, data store, dashboards Extended Events sessions, targets and deadlock capture Monitor and optimize query performance Configure database solutions for optimal performance
Configure and manage automation of tasks 15–20% Scheduling and deploying work so maintenance and environments are repeatable, with alerts when something fails.
Create and manage SQL Server Agent jobs Automate deployment of database resources Create and manage database tasks in Azure
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery environment 20–25% Meeting RPO and RTO with the right mix of built-in HA, replication, clustering and backups, and proving it works.
Plan an HA/DR strategy for database solutions Plan and perform backup and restore of a database Configure HA/DR for database solutions