The correct actions to mitigate tempdb growth are optimizing queries that perform large sorts or hash joins and reducing the degree of parallelism (DOP). These two steps directly address the root cause of tempdb bloat in an Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool because tempdb is used as a workspace for intermediate query results, such as sorting large datasets or building hash join tables. When queries are inefficient or run with excessive parallelism, they flood tempdb, leading to failures. On the DP-203 exam, this question tests your understanding of performance tuning in dedicated SQL pools, where common traps include suggesting unsupported actions like moving tempdb or relying solely on scaling DWU, which only masks the symptom. A key memory tip is to think of tempdb as a shared scratchpad—if you reduce the mess (large sorts) and limit how many hands write on it at once (DOP), the scratchpad stays clean and available.
DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 have an Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pool that is used for reporting. You notice that the tempdb database is growing rapidly and causing queries to fail. Which two actions should you take to mitigate the issue? (Select two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Reduce the degree of parallelism (MAXDOP) for the workload.
Options B and D are correct. Reducing the degree of parallelism (DOP) limits the number of concurrent operations, reducing tempdb usage. Optimizing query performance can reduce large sorts and hash joins that use tempdb. Option A is wrong because moving tempdb is not supported in Azure Synapse. Option C is wrong because increasing DWU may provide more tempdb space but does not address the root cause. Option E is wrong because result-set caching does not affect tempdb usage.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable result-set caching to reduce query reruns.
Why it's wrong here
Result-set caching does not impact tempdb usage.
✗
Increase the service level (DWU) of the dedicated SQL pool.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing DWU increases tempdb size but does not fix the underlying issue of high tempdb usage.
✓
Reduce the degree of parallelism (MAXDOP) for the workload.
Why this is correct
Lowering MAXDOP reduces the number of concurrent operations that can consume tempdb resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Move tempdb to a separate storage account.
Why it's wrong here
tempdb is managed by the service and cannot be moved.
✓
Optimize queries that perform large sorts or hash joins.
Why this is correct
Large sorts and hash joins use tempdb; optimizing them reduces tempdb usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-203 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.
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — This question tests Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reduce the degree of parallelism (MAXDOP) for the workload. — Options B and D are correct. Reducing the degree of parallelism (DOP) limits the number of concurrent operations, reducing tempdb usage. Optimizing query performance can reduce large sorts and hash joins that use tempdb. Option A is wrong because moving tempdb is not supported in Azure Synapse. Option C is wrong because increasing DWU may provide more tempdb space but does not address the root cause. Option E is wrong because result-set caching does not affect tempdb usage.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which DP-203 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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