- A
Use a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key and query with ScanIndexForward=false and Limit=100.
This retrieves the top 100 scores efficiently.
- B
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache query results.
Why wrong: DAX caches individual items or query results but does not provide sorted set functionality.
- C
Use DynamoDB Streams and AWS Lambda to maintain a separate leaderboard table with the top 100 scores.
Streams capture updates and Lambda can update a curated leaderboard.
- D
Scan the entire table and sort the results in memory.
Why wrong: Scanning is inefficient and costly for large tables.
- E
Use Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with sorted sets to maintain the leaderboard.
Redis sorted sets provide O(log N) operations for maintaining a sorted list.
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 leaderboard that updates frequently. They need to maintain a sorted list of top 100 players by score. Which THREE design patterns can achieve this efficiently?
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 a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key and query with ScanIndexForward=false and Limit=100.
Option A is correct because a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key allows you to query items in descending order using ScanIndexForward=false and limit the result to the top 100 players. This pattern efficiently retrieves the highest scores without scanning the entire table, leveraging DynamoDB's index query capabilities.
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 a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key and query with ScanIndexForward=false and Limit=100.
Why this is correct
This retrieves the top 100 scores efficiently.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache query results.
Why it's wrong here
DAX caches individual items or query results but does not provide sorted set functionality.
- ✓
Use DynamoDB Streams and AWS Lambda to maintain a separate leaderboard table with the top 100 scores.
Why this is correct
Streams capture updates and Lambda can update a curated leaderboard.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Scan the entire table and sort the results in memory.
Why it's wrong here
Scanning is inefficient and costly for large tables.
- ✓
Use Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with sorted sets to maintain the leaderboard.
Why this is correct
Redis sorted sets provide O(log N) operations for maintaining a sorted list.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that DAX can perform sorting or ranking operations, but DAX is only a cache and cannot reorder data or maintain sorted sets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB GSIs support eventual consistency and can be queried with ScanIndexForward=false to return items in descending sort key order, but they do not support pagination with Limit in a way that guarantees the absolute top 100 if concurrent writes occur; using DynamoDB Streams with Lambda to maintain a separate leaderboard table ensures atomic updates and consistent ranking. ElastiCache for Redis sorted sets (ZADD, ZREVRANGE) provide O(log N) operations for maintaining a live leaderboard, making it ideal for high-frequency updates.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key and query with ScanIndexForward=false and Limit=100. — Option A is correct because a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key allows you to query items in descending order using ScanIndexForward=false and limit the result to the top 100 players. This pattern efficiently retrieves the highest scores without scanning the entire table, leveraging DynamoDB's index query capabilities.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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