DP-300 Practice Question: Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources
You manage an Azure SQL Database that experiences high PAGELATCH_EX waits on tempdb during peak transaction processing. You need to reduce these waits. Which two actions should you perform? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any performance improvement like switching to Business Critical or enabling ADR will fix tempdb contention, when the issue specifically requires addressing allocation page contention through file count or memory-optimized metadata.
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
✓
Use memory-optimized tempdb metadata.
PAGELATCH_EX waits on tempdb indicate contention on allocation pages during concurrent temp object creation. Adding more tempdb data files spreads the allocation load, and enabling memory-optimized tempdb metadata removes latch contention on metadata pages. These two actions directly target the cause. Other options like ADR or scaling tiers do not address the allocation bottleneck.
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 Accelerated Database Recovery (ADR).
Why it's wrong here
ADR improves recovery time and log truncation but does not affect tempdb allocation contention. PAGELATCH_EX waits on tempdb are caused by concurrent access to allocation pages, not by recovery operations. Enabling ADR will not reduce these waits and is therefore not a valid action here.
- ✗
Switch to the Business Critical service tier.
Why it's wrong here
The Business Critical tier offers local SSD and higher I/O performance, but PAGELATCH_EX waits on tempdb are due to in-memory latch contention on allocation pages, not I/O latency. Switching tiers does not address the root cause and is not an effective remedy for this specific wait type.
- ✓
Use memory-optimized tempdb metadata.
Why this is correct
Memory-optimized tempdb metadata removes the latch contention on system pages that track temp object metadata. This significantly reduces PAGELATCH_EX waits in workloads with heavy temp table usage. It is a recommended configuration for Azure SQL Database when tempdb contention is observed.
- ✓
Increase the number of tempdb data files.
Why this is correct
Adding more tempdb data files distributes the allocation load across multiple files, reducing contention on allocation bitmap pages. This directly addresses PAGELATCH_EX waits caused by concurrent temp object creation. It is a standard remedy for tempdb allocation bottlenecks in Azure SQL Database.
- ✗
Increase the database's max size.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing max size affects storage capacity, not tempdb contention. PAGELATCH_EX waits are related to allocation page contention, not database size limits. Changing max size will not alleviate the bottleneck and is therefore not a valid action.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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