- A
Redesign the partition key to include a random suffix to distribute writes across partitions.
A write-sharding pattern ensures even distribution of write traffic and avoids hot partitions.
- B
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache the most frequently read items.
Why wrong: DAX caches reads but does not reduce write traffic to the hot partition.
- C
Increase the provisioned read capacity units (RCU) for the table.
Why wrong: Throttling is due to a hot partition, not insufficient overall capacity; increasing RCU does not solve the partition-level limit.
- D
Use eventually consistent reads for the leaderboard queries where possible.
Eventually consistent reads consume half the read capacity, reducing overall read load and allowing more capacity for writes.
- E
Create a global secondary index (GSI) with a different partition key.
Why wrong: GSI does not change the base table's partition key and does not distribute writes.
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 uses Amazon DynamoDB for a high-traffic gaming leaderboard. The table has a partition key of 'game_id' and a sort key of 'score'. During a tournament, the application experiences throttling on a single partition. The application uses strongly consistent reads. Which TWO actions should be taken to resolve the throttling and maintain performance?
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
Redesign the partition key to include a random suffix to distribute writes across partitions.
Options B and D are correct: Using a composite key with a shard attribute distributes writes across partitions, while switching to eventually consistent reads for non-critical reads reduces read capacity consumption. Option A is wrong because DAX does not help with write throttling. Option C is wrong because GSI does not distribute the base table's write load. Option E is wrong because increasing RCU does not address the partition hot spot.
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.
- ✓
Redesign the partition key to include a random suffix to distribute writes across partitions.
Why this is correct
A write-sharding pattern ensures even distribution of write traffic and avoids hot partitions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache the most frequently read items.
Why it's wrong here
DAX caches reads but does not reduce write traffic to the hot partition.
- ✗
Increase the provisioned read capacity units (RCU) for the table.
Why it's wrong here
Throttling is due to a hot partition, not insufficient overall capacity; increasing RCU does not solve the partition-level limit.
- ✓
Use eventually consistent reads for the leaderboard queries where possible.
Why this is correct
Eventually consistent reads consume half the read capacity, reducing overall read load and allowing more capacity for writes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a global secondary index (GSI) with a different partition key.
Why it's wrong here
GSI does not change the base table's partition key and does not distribute writes.
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 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.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Redesign the partition key to include a random suffix to distribute writes across partitions. — Options B and D are correct: Using a composite key with a shard attribute distributes writes across partitions, while switching to eventually consistent reads for non-critical reads reduces read capacity consumption. Option A is wrong because DAX does not help with write throttling. Option C is wrong because GSI does not distribute the base table's write load. Option E is wrong because increasing RCU does not address the partition hot spot.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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