The answer is to switch the DynamoDB table to on-demand capacity mode. This is the correct fix because the ProvisionedThroughputExceededException error occurs when a table is in provisioned mode and traffic exceeds its configured read/write capacity units, causing throttling. On-demand capacity instantly scales to handle any traffic spike without manual adjustments, and since the application is already coded to use on-demand, no code changes are needed—the table’s setting simply must match. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DynamoDB capacity modes and common misconfigurations; a frequent trap is assuming the error means you need to increase provisioned capacity or implement retries, when the real solution is switching modes. Remember the memory tip: “Throttled? Check the mode—on-demand unloads the load.”
DEA-C01 Data Store Management Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 with on-demand capacity for a gaming application that experiences unpredictable traffic spikes. The application consistently sees 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' errors during spikes. The data engineer needs to resolve this issue without changing the application code. What should the engineer do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Switch the table to on-demand capacity mode
The application is already using on-demand capacity, but the error 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' indicates the table is actually in provisioned mode, not on-demand. Switching to on-demand capacity mode eliminates throttling by automatically scaling throughput to match traffic spikes, with no code changes required.
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.
✓
Switch the table to on-demand capacity mode
Why this is correct
On-demand mode automatically scales to handle traffic spikes without throttling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache read requests
Why it's wrong here
DAX reduces read latency but does not help with write throughput errors.
✗
Increase the read capacity units
Why it's wrong here
The error is likely due to write throttling; increasing read capacity does not help.
✗
Enable auto scaling for the table with a higher maximum capacity
Why it's wrong here
Auto scaling helps but may not react fast enough for unpredictable spikes; on-demand is better.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the table is already on-demand because the question states 'on-demand capacity,' but the error message 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' reveals the table is actually in provisioned mode, testing whether you recognize the mismatch between the stated configuration and the error.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB on-demand capacity mode uses a credit-based burst mechanism that automatically accommodates traffic spikes up to the table's previous peak throughput, with no upper limit on throughput. In contrast, provisioned mode with auto scaling has a lag of several minutes to adjust capacity, making it unsuitable for unpredictable spikes. The 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' error is specific to provisioned tables; on-demand tables return a 'ThrottlingException' only if the request rate exceeds 2x the previous peak within 30 minutes, but this is rare and can be mitigated by retries.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Switch the table to on-demand capacity mode — The application is already using on-demand capacity, but the error 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' indicates the table is actually in provisioned mode, not on-demand. Switching to on-demand capacity mode eliminates throttling by automatically scaling throughput to match traffic spikes, with no code changes required.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 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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Question Discussion
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