- A
Add multiple tempdb data files
Multiple files reduce allocation contention.
- B
Optimize queries that use temporary tables and table variables
Reduces the load on tempdb.
- C
Increase the size of tempdb
Why wrong: Increasing size does not reduce contention.
- D
Change the collation of tempdb
Why wrong: Collation does not affect contention.
- E
Use multiple tempdb files equal to the number of CPU cores
This is a best practice to reduce contention.
Question 302 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 monitoring an Azure SQL Database and notice that the 'tempdb' database is experiencing contention. Which THREE actions can reduce tempdb contention? (Choose three.)
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 tempdb data files
Option A is correct because adding multiple tempdb data files reduces allocation contention on system pages like PFS (Page Free Space), GAM (Global Allocation Map), and SGAM (Shared Global Allocation Map). When multiple sessions concurrently allocate pages in tempdb, a single data file becomes a bottleneck; additional files spread the allocation load across separate file system objects, reducing latch 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.
- ✓
Add multiple tempdb data files
Why this is correct
Multiple files reduce allocation contention.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Optimize queries that use temporary tables and table variables
Why this is correct
Reduces the load on tempdb.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the size of tempdb
Why it's wrong here
Increasing size does not reduce contention.
- ✗
Change the collation of tempdb
Why it's wrong here
Collation does not affect contention.
- ✓
Use multiple tempdb files equal to the number of CPU cores
Why this is correct
This is a best practice to reduce contention.
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 'increasing size' (Option C) with 'adding files' (Option A), mistakenly thinking that more space alone resolves contention, when in fact only multiple files reduce allocation page contention.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, tempdb contention often manifests as high PAGELATCH_EX waits on 2:1:1 (PFS page) or 2:3:1 (SGAM page). Adding multiple data files equal to the number of CPU cores (up to 8 files initially, then increment by 4 if contention persists) is a best practice because each file has its own set of allocation pages, allowing concurrent allocations to proceed without waiting on a single file's metadata. In real-world scenarios, even with multiple files, poorly optimized queries that create and drop large temporary objects can still cause contention on metadata like system catalogs (e.g., sys.sysschobjs), requiring query tuning as a complementary fix.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 tempdb data files — Option A is correct because adding multiple tempdb data files reduces allocation contention on system pages like PFS (Page Free Space), GAM (Global Allocation Map), and SGAM (Shared Global Allocation Map). When multiple sessions concurrently allocate pages in tempdb, a single data file becomes a bottleneck; additional files spread the allocation load across separate file system objects, reducing latch 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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