The answer is to enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) and increase read capacity units. DAX provides an in-memory cache that offloads repeated read requests from the underlying table, dramatically reducing read latency for single-item lookups by serving data from memory instead of disk. Increasing read capacity units prevents throttling during peak hours, ensuring that requests are not queued or rejected, which directly lowers latency. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DynamoDB performance tuning under real-time workloads, often presenting distractors like global tables or sparse indexes that address different concerns. A common trap is assuming that disabling auto-scaling or using global tables will help latency, but these either worsen performance or solve regional availability, not speed. Remember the memory tip: “Cache the hot path, boost the cap” — DAX caches frequent reads, while higher RCUs raises the throughput ceiling to avoid throttling.
DEA-C01 Data Operations and Support Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data operations and support. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A company is using Amazon DynamoDB as a data store for a real-time application. The application reads a single item by primary key and occasionally updates it. The data engineer notices high read latency during peak hours. Which TWO actions would most effectively reduce read latency?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the read capacity units for the table.
Option B: Increasing read capacity units reduces throttling, which reduces latency. Option D: Enabling DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) adds an in-memory cache, reducing read latency. Option A is wrong because disabling auto-scaling could make things worse. Option C is wrong because global tables are for multi-region, not latency. Option E is wrong because sparse indexes don't help single-item reads.
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 the read capacity units for the table.
Why this is correct
More capacity reduces throttling and latency during peaks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable DynamoDB global tables.
Why it's wrong here
Global tables are for disaster recovery, not latency reduction.
✗
Add a local secondary index on the table.
Why it's wrong here
LSI does not improve single-item reads by primary key.
✗
Disable auto-scaling and set a fixed read capacity.
Why it's wrong here
Fixed capacity may not handle peaks, causing throttling.
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Data Operations and Support — This question tests Data Operations and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the read capacity units for the table. — Option B: Increasing read capacity units reduces throttling, which reduces latency. Option D: Enabling DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) adds an in-memory cache, reducing read latency. Option A is wrong because disabling auto-scaling could make things worse. Option C is wrong because global tables are for multi-region, not latency. Option E is wrong because sparse indexes don't help single-item reads.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DEA-C01 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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