- A
Increase MAXDOP
Why wrong: Can increase contention.
- B
Add multiple data files to the filegroup
Distributes allocation pages.
- C
Use a columnstore index
Why wrong: Not related to page latch contention.
- D
Configure a readable secondary replica
Why wrong: Does not reduce primary contention.
- E
Use hash partitioning on a table
Distributes data across files.
Question 701 of 963
DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 are tuning an Azure SQL Database workload. Which TWO actions can help reduce PAGELATCH_EX contention?
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
✓
Add multiple data files to the filegroup
Adding multiple data files to the filegroup helps reduce PAGELATCH_EX contention by distributing page allocation activity across multiple files. When a single data file is used, all concurrent insert operations compete for the same allocation page (e.g., PFS, GAM, SGAM), causing exclusive latches. With multiple files, each file has its own set of allocation structures, allowing parallel allocation operations to proceed with less contention.
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.
- ✗
Increase MAXDOP
Why it's wrong here
Can increase contention.
- ✓
Add multiple data files to the filegroup
Why this is correct
Distributes allocation pages.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a columnstore index
Why it's wrong here
Not related to page latch contention.
- ✗
Configure a readable secondary replica
Why it's wrong here
Does not reduce primary contention.
- ✓
Use hash partitioning on a table
Why this is correct
Distributes data across files.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse PAGELATCH_EX contention with PAGEIOLATCH_EX (I/O-related waits) and incorrectly assume that adding indexes or changing parallelism settings will resolve the issue, when in fact the solution involves reducing contention on in-memory allocation structures through filegroup or partitioning strategies.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PAGELATCH_EX contention occurs when multiple sessions require exclusive access to a page in memory (e.g., allocation pages like PFS, GAM, SGAM) during operations such as page splits or index page allocations. Hash partitioning on a table (Option E) can reduce contention by spreading insert operations across multiple partition boundaries, each with its own set of allocation structures, thereby minimizing latch waits on hot pages. Under the hood, SQL Server uses a spinlock mechanism for latches, and contention can be observed via sys.dm_os_waiting_tasks with wait_type 'PAGELATCH_EX'.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-300 question test?
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — This question tests Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add multiple data files to the filegroup — Adding multiple data files to the filegroup helps reduce PAGELATCH_EX contention by distributing page allocation activity across multiple files. When a single data file is used, all concurrent insert operations compete for the same allocation page (e.g., PFS, GAM, SGAM), causing exclusive latches. With multiple files, each file has its own set of allocation structures, allowing parallel allocation operations to proceed with less contention.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This DP-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-300 exam.
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