- A
Use a hash distribution or round-robin distribution in a table design
Why wrong: Incorrect. Hash or round-robin distribution is specific to Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools and is not applicable to Azure SQL Database. These distributions do not reduce PAGELATCH_EX waits in this context.
- B
Increase MAXDOP for the queries
Why wrong: Incorrect. Increasing MAXDOP can lead to more parallelism, which may exacerbate page latch contention rather than reduce it.
- C
Partition the table to distribute inserts
Correct. Partitioning a table spreads insert activity across multiple pages, reducing contention on the last page and decreasing PAGELATCH_EX waits.
- D
Use OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option
Correct. The OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option is designed to reduce page latch contention on indexes with sequential keys, directly addressing PAGELATCH_EX waits.
- E
Enable snapshot isolation level
Why wrong: Incorrect. Snapshot isolation provides row versioning but does not affect page latch waits caused by insert contention.
DP-300 PAGELATCH_EX Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of monitor, configure, and optimize database resources. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: pAGELATCH_EX. 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 troubleshooting a performance issue on an Azure SQL Database. The database is experiencing high PAGELATCH_EX waits. Which THREE measures can help reduce these waits?
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
Partition the table to distribute inserts
PAGELATCH_EX waits are caused by contention on the last page of an index, often due to sequential inserts. Two effective measures in Azure SQL Database are partitioning the table (option C) to spread inserts across multiple pages and using OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option (option D) to reduce page latch contention. Option A is incorrect because hash or round-robin distribution is a feature of Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools, not Azure SQL Database. Option B is incorrect because increasing MAXDOP can increase parallelism and potentially worsen latch contention. Option E is incorrect because snapshot isolation does not reduce page latch waits.
Key principle: PAGELATCH_EX
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use a hash distribution or round-robin distribution in a table design
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Hash or round-robin distribution is specific to Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools and is not applicable to Azure SQL Database. These distributions do not reduce PAGELATCH_EX waits in this context.
- ✗
Increase MAXDOP for the queries
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Increasing MAXDOP can lead to more parallelism, which may exacerbate page latch contention rather than reduce it.
- ✓
Partition the table to distribute inserts
Why this is correct
Correct. Partitioning a table spreads insert activity across multiple pages, reducing contention on the last page and decreasing PAGELATCH_EX waits.
Related concept
PAGELATCH_EX
- ✓
Use OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option
Why this is correct
Correct. The OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option is designed to reduce page latch contention on indexes with sequential keys, directly addressing PAGELATCH_EX waits.
Related concept
PAGELATCH_EX
- ✗
Enable snapshot isolation level
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Snapshot isolation provides row versioning but does not affect page latch waits caused by insert contention.
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
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- PAGELATCH_EX
- OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY
- Table partitioning
- Hash distribution
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
PAGELATCH_EX
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. PAGELATCH_EX 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.
Review pAGELATCH_EX, then practise related DP-300 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources — study guide chapter
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Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources practice questions
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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 — PAGELATCH_EX.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Partition the table to distribute inserts — PAGELATCH_EX waits are caused by contention on the last page of an index, often due to sequential inserts. Two effective measures in Azure SQL Database are partitioning the table (option C) to spread inserts across multiple pages and using OPTIMIZE_FOR_SEQUENTIAL_KEY index option (option D) to reduce page latch contention. Option A is incorrect because hash or round-robin distribution is a feature of Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools, not Azure SQL Database. Option B is incorrect because increasing MAXDOP can increase parallelism and potentially worsen latch contention. Option E is incorrect because snapshot isolation does not reduce page latch waits.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Review pAGELATCH_EX, then practise related DP-300 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
PAGELATCH_EX
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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