Quick Answer
The answer is to use a Global Secondary Index with Score as the sort key and to implement DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for caching. Creating a GSI with Score as the sort key allows DynamoDB to perform efficient range queries using the sort key’s inherent ordering, so the top 10 scores for a given GameId can be retrieved in descending order without a full table scan. DAX then caches those frequent top-scores queries, reducing read latency and offloading read capacity units from the base table. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to optimize DynamoDB query performance for leaderboard patterns—a common trap is trying to use a scan with a filter or relying solely on the base table’s sort key when the partition key is GameId, which limits efficient sorting across all scores. Remember the memory tip: “GSI for sorting, DAX for caching” to pair the right tools for top-scores performance.
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 uses Amazon DynamoDB for a gaming leaderboard. The table has a primary key of GameId (partition key) and Score (sort key). The application needs to retrieve the top 10 scores for a given game. Which strategies can improve query performance? (Choose TWO.)
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.
Change the primary key to a single attribute
Why wrong: Would not support efficient top-N queries.
Create a global secondary index with Score as sort key
Allows efficient sorted queries.
Use a Scan operation with a limit
Why wrong: Scan is inefficient and expensive.
Increase the write capacity units
Why wrong: Write capacity does not improve read performance.
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for caching
Reduces read latency.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a global secondary index with Score as sort key
Option B is correct because creating a global secondary index (GSI) with Score as the sort key allows efficient range queries on scores for a given GameId. DynamoDB can then use the GSI to retrieve the top 10 scores in sorted order without scanning the entire table, leveraging the index's sort key to fetch only the highest values.
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.
Change the primary key to a single attribute
Why it's wrong here
Would not support efficient top-N queries.
Create a global secondary index with Score as sort key
Why this is correct
Allows efficient sorted queries.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use a Scan operation with a limit
Why it's wrong here
Scan is inefficient and expensive.
Increase the write capacity units
Why it's wrong here
Write capacity does not improve read performance.
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for caching
Why this is correct
Reduces read 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.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think a Scan with a limit is efficient for top-N queries, but DynamoDB Scans always read the entire dataset up to the limit, making them unsuitable for sorted retrieval without additional processing.
Detailed technical explanation
DynamoDB stores items in sorted order by partition key and sort key within each partition. A GSI with Score as the sort key allows you to query with KeyConditionExpression on GameId and ScanIndexForward set to false to retrieve items in descending order, fetching only the top 10. DAX (Option E) caches frequently accessed query results in memory, reducing read latency and offloading read capacity units from the table, which is especially effective for leaderboard queries with high read traffic.
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
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FAQ
Data Store Management — This question tests Data Store Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Create a global secondary index with Score as sort key — Option B is correct because creating a global secondary index (GSI) with Score as the sort key allows efficient range queries on scores for a given GameId. DynamoDB can then use the GSI to retrieve the top 10 scores in sorted order without scanning the entire table, leveraging the index's sort key to fetch only the highest values.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses Amazon DynamoDB for a gaming leaderboard. The table has a partition key of 'GameId' and a sort key of 'Score'. The application needs to query the top 10 scores for a given game. Which DynamoDB feature should be used for optimal performance?
hardWhy D: Option C is correct because a Global Secondary Index with 'GameId' as partition key and 'Score' as sort key allows efficient querying with ScanIndexForward=false to get top scores. Option A is wrong because the base table's sort key is 'Score', but querying by 'GameId' and sorting descending would work but is less efficient if the table has other attributes. However, GSI is specifically for this access pattern. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB Streams is for change data capture, not querying. Option D is wrong because DAX is a caching layer, not a querying feature.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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