Quick Answer
The answer is that the cache node is too small for the workload. This is the most likely cause because a high 'Evictions' metric directly indicates that the Redis cache has run out of memory, forcing it to remove older or less frequently used keys to make room for new data. When these evicted items are requested again, they are no longer in the cache, resulting in a low cache hit ratio and forcing requests to hit the database. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the relationship between cache sizing, evictions, and hit ratio—a common trap is confusing high latency or replication factors with memory pressure. Remember that evictions are a memory problem, not a performance or availability one. Memory tip: "Evictions equal exhaustion"—if you see evictions climbing, the node is too small.
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 ElastiCache for Redis to cache database query results. They notice that the cache hit ratio is low and many requests are hitting the database. The 'Evictions' metric is high. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The replication factor is insufficient.
Why wrong: Replication affects redundancy, not evictions.
Encryption in transit is enabled.
Why wrong: Encryption adds overhead but does not cause evictions.
The application is experiencing high network latency.
Why wrong: Network latency affects request time but not evictions.
The cache node is too small for the workload.
A small cache leads to frequent evictions, reducing the cache hit ratio.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The cache node is too small for the workload.
Option A is correct because high evictions indicate the cache is full, leading to item removal and low hit ratio. Option B is wrong because high latency does not directly cause evictions. Option C is wrong because insufficient replication factor does not cause evictions. Option D is wrong because encryption in transit does not affect cache performance.
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.
The replication factor is insufficient.
Why it's wrong here
Replication affects redundancy, not evictions.
Encryption in transit is enabled.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption adds overhead but does not cause evictions.
The application is experiencing high network latency.
Why it's wrong here
Network latency affects request time but not evictions.
The cache node is too small for the workload.
Why this is correct
A small cache leads to frequent evictions, reducing the cache hit ratio.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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.
Management and Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The cache node is too small for the workload. — Option A is correct because high evictions indicate the cache is full, leading to item removal and low hit ratio. Option B is wrong because high latency does not directly cause evictions. Option C is wrong because insufficient replication factor does not cause evictions. Option D is wrong because encryption in transit does not affect cache performance.
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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 is using Amazon ElastiCache for Redis to cache database query results. The application team reports that cache hit ratio has dropped significantly. What is the first step to investigate?
easyWhy C: When the cache hit ratio drops significantly, the first step is to investigate whether the cache is evicting keys due to memory pressure or if the working set no longer fits. CloudWatch metrics such as `CacheHitRate` and `Evictions` provide immediate visibility into these conditions without requiring direct Redis access. This aligns with the AWS Well-Architected Framework's principle of observability before making configuration changes.
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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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