- A
The ability to output results to Amazon S3
Why wrong: Both can output to S3.
- B
The support for Apache Spark
Why wrong: Both support Spark.
- C
The level of control over the execution environment and dependencies
EMR offers more control; Glue is less customizable.
- D
The need for a serverless vs. cluster-based environment
Glue is serverless; EMR requires cluster management.
- E
The cost model: pay per DPU for Glue vs. per instance for EMR
Pricing models differ significantly.
Question 1,453 of 1,786
DEA-C01 Serverless vs. Cluster-Based Practice Question
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data ingestion and transformation. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. A key principle to apply: serverless vs. Cluster-Based. 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.
Which THREE factors should a data engineer consider when choosing between AWS Glue and Amazon EMR for a data transformation job? (Choose three.)
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
✓
The level of control over the execution environment and dependencies
When choosing between AWS Glue and Amazon EMR for a data transformation job, key considerations include: the level of control over the execution environment (EMR offers more customization, while Glue is managed), the deployment model (Glue is serverless, EMR is cluster-based), and the cost structure (Glue charges per DPU, EMR charges per EC2 instance). Options A and B are not differentiating factors because both services support Apache Spark and can output to S3.
Key principle: Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The ability to output results to Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Both can output to S3.
- ✗
The support for Apache Spark
Why it's wrong here
Both support Spark.
- ✓
The level of control over the execution environment and dependencies
Why this is correct
EMR offers more control; Glue is less customizable.
Related concept
Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
- ✓
The need for a serverless vs. cluster-based environment
Why this is correct
Glue is serverless; EMR requires cluster management.
Related concept
Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
- ✓
The cost model: pay per DPU for Glue vs. per instance for EMR
Why this is correct
Pricing models differ significantly.
Related concept
Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Both can output to S3.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
- Cost Model
- Execution Environment Control
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
Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review serverless vs. Cluster-Based, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Data Ingestion and Transformation — study guide chapter
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Data Ingestion and Transformation practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DEA-C01 question test?
Data Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Serverless vs. Cluster-Based.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The level of control over the execution environment and dependencies — When choosing between AWS Glue and Amazon EMR for a data transformation job, key considerations include: the level of control over the execution environment (EMR offers more customization, while Glue is managed), the deployment model (Glue is serverless, EMR is cluster-based), and the cost structure (Glue charges per DPU, EMR charges per EC2 instance). Options A and B are not differentiating factors because both services support Apache Spark and can output to S3.
What should I do if I get this DEA-C01 question wrong?
Review serverless vs. Cluster-Based, then practise related DEA-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Serverless vs. Cluster-Based
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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