- A
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with a replication instance to perform a full load and then ongoing replication until cutover.
DMS supports ongoing replication to minimize downtime during migration.
- B
Modify the on-premises database to use a new master user and then use the AWS Schema Conversion Tool to migrate.
Why wrong: Changing the master user does not facilitate migration; the Schema Conversion Tool is for schema conversion, not data migration.
- C
Create a read replica of the on-premises database and promote it to a standalone RDS instance.
Why wrong: Read replicas can only be created from existing RDS instances, not from on-premises databases.
- D
Export the database using mysqldump and import into RDS using mysql command-line tool. Schedule a maintenance window for cutover.
Why wrong: This approach requires taking the database offline for the duration of export and import, causing significant downtime.
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 migrating a 500 GB MySQL database from on-premises to Amazon RDS for MySQL. The database is critical and must have minimal downtime. Which approach should be used to migrate the database with the least downtime?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with a replication instance to perform a full load and then ongoing replication until cutover.
Option C is correct because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication allows migration with minimal downtime by continuously replicating changes from the source to the target until cutover. Option A is wrong because creating a read replica is not possible from on-premises. Option B is wrong because exporting and importing will cause significant downtime. Option D is wrong because changing the master user is unrelated to migration.
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.
- ✓
Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with a replication instance to perform a full load and then ongoing replication until cutover.
Why this is correct
DMS supports ongoing replication to minimize downtime during migration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Modify the on-premises database to use a new master user and then use the AWS Schema Conversion Tool to migrate.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the master user does not facilitate migration; the Schema Conversion Tool is for schema conversion, not data migration.
- ✗
Create a read replica of the on-premises database and promote it to a standalone RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas can only be created from existing RDS instances, not from on-premises databases.
- ✗
Export the database using mysqldump and import into RDS using mysql command-line tool. Schedule a maintenance window for cutover.
Why it's wrong here
This approach requires taking the database offline for the duration of export and import, causing significant downtime.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DBS-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.
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Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with a replication instance to perform a full load and then ongoing replication until cutover. — Option C is correct because AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication allows migration with minimal downtime by continuously replicating changes from the source to the target until cutover. Option A is wrong because creating a read replica is not possible from on-premises. Option B is wrong because exporting and importing will cause significant downtime. Option D is wrong because changing the master user is unrelated to migration.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which DBS-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: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DBS-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 DBS-C01 exam.
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