The answer is missing indexes or long-running queries causing full table scans. When RDS PostgreSQL shows high CPU utilization but normal connection counts, the CPU is likely consumed by query execution rather than connection overhead. Missing indexes force the database engine to perform sequential scans across large tables, which is computationally expensive and drives up CPU usage. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish CPU-bound issues from storage or memory problems—common traps include confusing burst balance (gp2 storage) or insufficient memory with CPU pressure. A key memory tip: high CPU + normal connections = query inefficiency, not resource starvation. Think “scans steal cycles” to recall that missing indexes turn PostgreSQL into a row-by-row processor, burning CPU instead of using index lookups.
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 database administrator is monitoring Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL using CloudWatch. The DB instance shows high CPU utilization, but the number of connections is normal. What is the most likely cause of the high CPU utilization?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
There are long-running queries or missing indexes causing high CPU usage.
Option B is correct because high CPU utilization with normal connections often indicates inefficient queries or missing indexes causing full table scans. Option A is incorrect because burst balance is for gp2 storage, not CPU. Option C is incorrect because insufficient memory usually causes swapping, not high CPU. Option D is incorrect because ReadReplicas do not affect CPU on the primary instance.
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.
✗
The DB instance has a low burst balance for gp2 storage.
Why it's wrong here
Low burst balance affects I/O performance, not CPU utilization.
✗
The instance is low on memory and is swapping.
Why it's wrong here
Swapping is related to memory pressure, not directly CPU utilization.
✓
There are long-running queries or missing indexes causing high CPU usage.
Why this is correct
Inefficient queries can consume CPU cycles even with normal connection counts.
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.
✗
The DB instance has a large number of Read Replicas.
Why it's wrong here
Read Replicas do not directly cause high CPU on the primary instance.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
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: There are long-running queries or missing indexes causing high CPU usage. — Option B is correct because high CPU utilization with normal connections often indicates inefficient queries or missing indexes causing full table scans. Option A is incorrect because burst balance is for gp2 storage, not CPU. Option C is incorrect because insufficient memory usually causes swapping, not high CPU. Option D is incorrect because ReadReplicas do not affect CPU on the primary instance.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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.
Question Discussion
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