The correct answer is to enable job bookmarking to process only new data, alongside using a larger number of DPUs for data-intensive workloads. Job bookmarking acts as a persistent state tracker, allowing AWS Glue to skip already-processed files in your S3 data lake, which directly reduces both runtime and cost by eliminating redundant transformations. On the other hand, increasing the number of DPUs (Data Processing Units) accelerates execution for heavy ETL tasks—though it raises per-minute cost, the shorter job duration often lowers the total bill. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to balance performance and cost optimization in serverless ETL, with a common trap being the assumption that fewer DPUs always save money (they don’t if the job runs too long). A useful memory tip: “Bookmark the new, boost the DPU for speed—faster jobs can be cheaper jobs.”
DEA-C01 Data Ingestion and Transformation 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. 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 AWS Glue to process data from an Amazon S3 data lake. The Glue job runs daily and transforms data into multiple output formats. Which TWO actions can the company take to optimize the Glue job's performance and reduce costs? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the number of DPUs allocated to the job.
Options A and D are correct. Using job bookmarking (A) ensures that only new data is processed, reducing processing time and cost. Using a larger number of DPUs (D) can improve performance for data-intensive jobs, though it increases cost per job, but if the job runs faster, overall cost may be lower. Option B (using a smaller number of DPUs) would reduce performance. Option C (increasing the job timeout) does not optimize performance or cost. Option E (disabling job bookmarking) would reprocess all data, increasing cost.
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.
✓
Increase the number of DPUs allocated to the job.
Why this is correct
More DPUs can speed up processing, reducing runtime and possibly cost.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reduce the number of DPUs (Data Processing Units) allocated to the job.
Why it's wrong here
Reducing DPUs may slow down the job, potentially increasing costs if the job runs longer.
✗
Disable job bookmarking to force full reprocessing every run.
Why it's wrong here
This would increase processing time and cost.
✗
Increase the job timeout to allow more time for processing.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout does not affect performance; it only sets a maximum duration.
✓
Enable job bookmarking to process only new data.
Why this is correct
Job bookmarking tracks processed data and avoids reprocessing, saving time and cost.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
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.
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 Ingestion and Transformation — This question tests Data Ingestion and Transformation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the number of DPUs allocated to the job. — Options A and D are correct. Using job bookmarking (A) ensures that only new data is processed, reducing processing time and cost. Using a larger number of DPUs (D) can improve performance for data-intensive jobs, though it increases cost per job, but if the job runs faster, overall cost may be lower. Option B (using a smaller number of DPUs) would reduce performance. Option C (increasing the job timeout) does not optimize performance or cost. Option E (disabling job bookmarking) would reprocess all data, increasing cost.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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.
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.