The answer is to enable DynamoDB auto scaling with a target utilization of 70%. This is the correct choice because auto scaling dynamically adjusts your table’s provisioned read and write capacity based on actual traffic patterns, using the target utilization as a control to maintain a buffer for spikes while avoiding over-provisioning. When write traffic surges during a game launch, auto scaling increases capacity before throttling occurs, then scales down when demand drops, directly addressing write throttling in a cost-effective manner. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the trade-off between provisioned and on-demand capacity; a common trap is choosing on-demand mode for predictable spikes, which is far more expensive, or manual capacity increases, which lack automation. Remember the memory tip: “70% is the sweet spot” — it keeps your table ready for bursts without wasting money, and auto scaling is the only fully automated, cost-conscious solution for variable workloads.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 is using Amazon DynamoDB for a gaming application. During a new game launch, write traffic spikes and some users receive 'ProvisionedThroughputExceededException' errors. The company wants to handle these spikes automatically and cost-effectively. What should be done?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable DynamoDB auto scaling with a target utilization of 70%.
Option B is correct because DynamoDB auto scaling adjusts capacity based on actual traffic patterns, preventing throttling while optimizing cost. Option A is wrong because application-level queuing adds latency. Option C is wrong because on-demand mode is cost-inefficient for predictable spikes. Option D is wrong because increasing provisioned capacity manually is not automatic.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Implement application-level retries with exponential backoff and a queue.
Why it's wrong here
Retries handle throttling but do not prevent it; queuing may introduce latency.
✗
Switch the table to on-demand capacity mode.
Why it's wrong here
On-demand mode can handle spikes but is more expensive for predictable traffic.
✗
Increase the provisioned write capacity to the expected peak.
Why it's wrong here
Manual adjustment is not automatic and may waste resources during low traffic.
✓
Enable DynamoDB auto scaling with a target utilization of 70%.
Why this is correct
Auto scaling automatically adjusts capacity to handle traffic spikes.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable DynamoDB auto scaling with a target utilization of 70%. — Option B is correct because DynamoDB auto scaling adjusts capacity based on actual traffic patterns, preventing throttling while optimizing cost. Option A is wrong because application-level queuing adds latency. Option C is wrong because on-demand mode is cost-inefficient for predictable spikes. Option D is wrong because increasing provisioned capacity manually is not automatic.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related DBS-C01 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
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 application. During a new game launch, the table experiences throttling on write requests. The table has a provisioned capacity of 10,000 WCU and 5,000 RCU. The write traffic pattern shows spikes up to 15,000 WCU for 5 minutes. Which action would resolve the throttling with minimal cost impact?
medium
A.Use Amazon SQS to buffer the write requests
B.Increase the provisioned WCU to 20,000 permanently
✓ C.Enable Auto Scaling for DynamoDB with a target utilization of 70%
D.Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for the table
Why C: Option D is correct because DynamoDB Auto Scaling can handle the spikes by scaling up and down, reducing costs. Option A is wrong because doubling WCU would be costly and unnecessary. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is for read performance, not writes. Option C is wrong because SQS would add latency and complexity.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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