SF-PD2 Performance Practice Question
A developer wants to use Platform Cache to improve the performance of a high-traffic Visualforce page that performs expensive SOQL queries and calculations. The data is specific to each user and should persist across multiple requests within the same session. Which type of cache should the developer use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates frequently confuse Org Cache with Session Cache, failing to recognize that user-specific data persistence across requests specifically requires the Session Cache implementation.
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
✓
Session Cache, because it is dedicated to an individual user's session.
Platform Cache is divided into Org Cache and Session Cache. Session Cache is specifically designed to store data associated with a single user's session. This is ideal for scenarios where data is expensive to compute but unique to a user, as it prevents redundant processing across multiple page loads or requests within that session.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Org Cache, because it allows all users to share the same cached data.
Why it's wrong here
Org Cache is used for data that is global to the entire organization and not specific to any one user. While highly efficient for shared settings or common datasets, it is not appropriate for user-specific session data. Using Org Cache for user data would lead to security risks and incorrect data being shown to users.
- ✓
Session Cache, because it is dedicated to an individual user's session.
Why this is correct
Session Cache stores data that is tied to a specific user's session. It is the correct choice for this scenario because it allows the developer to cache the results of expensive calculations only for that user. This ensures that the data is reused across multiple requests by the same user, improving their specific experience.
- ✗
Distributed Cache, because it automatically syncs data across all instances.
Why it's wrong here
Salesforce does not offer a specific 'Distributed Cache' tier for developers; Platform Cache itself is the distributed caching mechanism provided. The choice for a developer is between the Org and Session partitions. Using non-existent terminology can lead to confusion when selecting the correct architectural components for performance optimization within the Salesforce platform.
- ✗
Metadata Cache, because it is optimized for SOQL query result sets.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'Metadata Cache' available as a programmable feature of Platform Cache. Metadata is cached by the platform automatically, but developers cannot manually store application data or query results there. Developers must use Org or Session partitions of the Platform Cache to store their own custom data and improve performance.
About these practice questions
This SF-PD2 question is part of Courseiva's 226-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Salesforce exam blueprint
This SF-PD2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Salesforce 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 SF-PD2 exam.