The answer is to enable automated backups with a retention period of 35 days. This is correct because Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL automated backups automatically perform a daily snapshot and capture transaction logs, enabling point-in-time recovery to any second within the specified retention window. Since the maximum retention period for automated backups is 35 days, setting it to 35 days directly satisfies the requirement for full PITR coverage with no additional storage cost beyond the default backup storage allocation. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding that manual snapshots do not support PITR, while cross-region snapshots or AWS Backup introduce unnecessary cost and complexity. A common trap is assuming you need a separate tool like AWS Backup for PITR, but RDS native automated backups already handle this natively. Memory tip: For PITR, think “Auto + Logs = Any point in time,” and remember the hard cap of 35 days for retention.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 startup is running an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database for its web application. The database size is 50 GB. The company wants to implement a backup strategy that allows point-in-time recovery (PITR) to any point within the last 35 days with minimal storage cost. Which backup strategy should be used?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable automated backups with a retention period of 35 days.
RDS automated backups provide PITR within the retention period. The maximum retention period is 35 days. Enabling automated backups with 35-day retention meets the requirement with no additional cost beyond the backup storage. Option B is correct. Option A (manual snapshots) does not provide PITR. Option C (cross-region) adds cost. Option D (AWS Backup) adds complexity and cost.
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.
✓
Enable automated backups with a retention period of 35 days.
Why this is correct
Automated backups support PITR up to 35 days.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Backup to schedule daily snapshots with 35-day retention.
Why it's wrong here
AWS Backup snapshots do not support PITR.
✗
Enable automated backups with 7-day retention and copy snapshots to another region.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region copy adds cost and does not extend PITR.
✗
Take manual snapshots daily and retain 35 snapshots.
Why it's wrong here
Manual snapshots do not support PITR.
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.
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: Enable automated backups with a retention period of 35 days. — RDS automated backups provide PITR within the retention period. The maximum retention period is 35 days. Enabling automated backups with 35-day retention meets the requirement with no additional cost beyond the backup storage. Option B is correct. Option A (manual snapshots) does not provide PITR. Option C (cross-region) adds cost. Option D (AWS Backup) adds complexity and cost.
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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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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