Quick Answer
The correct answer is to run VACUUM and ANALYZE commands on all tables, as this directly addresses degraded query performance in Amazon Redshift by reclaiming disk space and re-sorting rows while updating table statistics for the query planner. VACUUM restores the physical sort order that is lost during data modifications, and ANALYZE refreshes the metadata the optimizer uses to choose efficient join and filter strategies. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of routine maintenance versus more aggressive operations like VACUUM FULL, which is a common distractor because it is resource-intensive and rarely needed for evenly distributed data. A key trap is confusing REINDEX (for indexes, which Redshift does not use) or ALTER TABLE APPEND (for bulk loading) with sort-order recovery. Remember the mnemonic “VACUUM sorts, ANALYZE reports” to recall that VACUUM fixes physical data layout while ANALYZE updates the statistical report the planner relies on.
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. 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 Redshift for analytics. The cluster has 20 nodes and the data is evenly distributed. Query performance has degraded over time. The data engineer suspects that table maintenance is needed. Which set of operations should be performed to improve query performance?
Run VACUUM and ANALYZE commands on all tables
VACUUM reclaims space and sorts rows; ANALYZE updates statistics for the optimizer.
Run VACUUM FULL on all tables
Why wrong: VACUUM FULL locks tables and is resource-intensive.
Run REINDEX on all tables
Why wrong: Redshift uses sort keys, not B-tree indexes.
Run ALTER TABLE APPEND to reorganize data
Why wrong: ALTER TABLE APPEND moves data between tables.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Run VACUUM and ANALYZE commands on all tables
Option A is correct because VACUUM reclaims space and sorts data, and ANALYZE updates statistics. Option B is wrong because VACUUM FULL is more intensive and not recommended unless necessary. Option C is wrong because REINDEX is for indexes, not sort order. Option D is wrong because ALTER TABLE APPEND does not help.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Run VACUUM and ANALYZE commands on all tables
Why this is correct
VACUUM reclaims space and sorts rows; ANALYZE updates statistics for the optimizer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Run VACUUM FULL on all tables
Why it's wrong here
VACUUM FULL locks tables and is resource-intensive.
Run REINDEX on all tables
Why it's wrong here
Redshift uses sort keys, not B-tree indexes.
Run ALTER TABLE APPEND to reorganize data
Why it's wrong here
ALTER TABLE APPEND moves data between tables.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 Store Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Data Store Management practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All DEA-C01 questions
1,786 questions across all exam domains
AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
DEA-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Ingestion and Transformation.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Operations and Support.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Security and Governance.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to Data Store Management.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 fundamentals.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 scenario.
Practise DEA-C01 questions linked to DEA-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Run VACUUM and ANALYZE commands on all tables — Option A is correct because VACUUM reclaims space and sorts data, and ANALYZE updates statistics. Option B is wrong because VACUUM FULL is more intensive and not recommended unless necessary. Option C is wrong because REINDEX is for indexes, not sort order. Option D is wrong because ALTER TABLE APPEND does not help.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DEA-C01 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services 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 DEA-C01 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.