Quick Answer
The correct answer is Read Replicas. This is because Amazon RDS Read Replicas allow you to offload read traffic from the primary database instance to one or more replica instances, which can be placed in different AWS Regions to significantly reduce global read latency for a worldwide user base. On the AWS Certified Data Engineer Associate DEA-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of how to scale read-heavy workloads across geographies, often appearing as a distractor against Multi-AZ deployments—remember that Multi-AZ is strictly for high availability and failover, not for read scaling. A common trap is confusing cross-region replication with Read Replicas; while cross-region replication does exist, Read Replicas are purpose-built for low-latency reads and can even be promoted to standalone instances if needed. Memory tip: “Read Replicas reduce read latency; Multi-AZ manages availability.”
This DEA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data store management. 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 Amazon RDS for MySQL and needs to reduce read latency for a global user base. Which AWS feature should be implemented?
Multi-AZ deployment
Why wrong: Multi-AZ provides high availability, not read replica functionality.
Aurora Auto Scaling
Why wrong: Auto Scaling adjusts capacity based on load, not specifically for read latency.
Read Replicas
Read Replicas allow offloading read queries to reduce latency.
Cross-Region Replication
Why wrong: Cross-region replication has higher latency and is for disaster recovery.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Read Replicas
Option D is correct because Read Replicas can be promoted to stand-alone instances and reduce read latency. Option A is wrong because Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read scaling. Option B is wrong because Auto Scaling adjusts capacity, not read latency. Option C is wrong because cross-region replication latency is high.
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.
Multi-AZ deployment
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ provides high availability, not read replica functionality.
Aurora Auto Scaling
Why it's wrong here
Auto Scaling adjusts capacity based on load, not specifically for read latency.
Read Replicas
Why this is correct
Read Replicas allow offloading read queries to reduce latency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Cross-Region Replication
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replication has higher latency and is for disaster recovery.
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
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
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: Read Replicas — Option D is correct because Read Replicas can be promoted to stand-alone instances and reduce read latency. Option A is wrong because Multi-AZ is for high availability, not read scaling. Option B is wrong because Auto Scaling adjusts capacity, not read latency. Option C is wrong because cross-region replication latency is high.
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 →
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.