The answer is to add a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster in front of the table, as this is the most effective action for DynamoDB read latency reduction with DAX. DAX acts as an in-memory cache that sits between your application and the DynamoDB table, serving frequently accessed data at microsecond latency instead of the millisecond latency of direct table reads. This directly addresses the performance bottleneck without requiring any table configuration changes. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of caching strategies versus scaling mechanisms; a common trap is confusing read capacity units with latency fixes, but on-demand mode already handles throughput scaling automatically. Another trap is assuming Global Tables improve local read speed, when they actually serve cross-region replication. Remember the mnemonic: “DAX for the cache, not the capacity.”
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 uses Amazon DynamoDB as the primary data store for a high-traffic application. Recently, read latency has increased significantly. The DynamoDB table has on-demand capacity mode. Which action is MOST effective to 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
✓
Add a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster in front of the table
Option B is correct because adding a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster provides an in-memory cache, reducing read latency significantly. Option A is wrong because on-demand capacity already scales automatically. Option C is wrong because increasing read capacity units is not applicable in on-demand mode. Option D is wrong because Global Tables do not reduce read latency for local 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.
✓
Add a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster in front of the table
Why this is correct
DAX caches reads, reducing latency.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Switch the table to provisioned capacity mode with higher read capacity
Why it's wrong here
On-demand already handles spikes; switching may not help.
✗
Increase the read capacity units in the table's auto scaling settings
Why it's wrong here
On-demand does not use provisioned capacity.
✗
Enable DynamoDB Global Tables to distribute reads across regions
Why it's wrong here
Global Tables are for cross-region replication, not local read latency.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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: Add a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster in front of the table — Option B is correct because adding a DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) cluster provides an in-memory cache, reducing read latency significantly. Option A is wrong because on-demand capacity already scales automatically. Option C is wrong because increasing read capacity units is not applicable in on-demand mode. Option D is wrong because Global Tables do not reduce read latency for local 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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