Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS DMS with parallel load by splitting tables into multiple tasks. This is the most effective strategy because DMS parallel load divides large tables into segments and transfers them concurrently across multiple tasks, dramatically reducing the total migration time for a large PostgreSQL database to RDS, even within a tight two-hour window. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of DMS performance optimization under strict time constraints—a common scenario where simply increasing the replication instance size may fail if network bandwidth is the bottleneck, and where AWS SCT is irrelevant for speeding up data transfer in a homogeneous migration. A key trap is assuming bigger instances always solve speed issues, but parallel load directly addresses concurrency. Memory tip: think “divide and conquer”—multiple tasks mean multiple data streams, not just a bigger pipe.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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.
An e-commerce company is migrating its PostgreSQL database to Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The database has multiple large tables (over 500 GB each) and the migration window is only 2 hours. Which strategy would be MOST effective to meet the time constraint?
Use a single DMS task with full LOB mode.
Why wrong: Single task with full LOB is slower.
Use AWS DMS with parallel load by splitting tables into multiple tasks.
Parallel load accelerates migration.
Increase the RDS instance size and use pg_dump.
Why wrong: pg_dump is serial and might not finish in 2 hours.
Use AWS SCT to optimize schema and then one DMS task.
Why wrong: SCT doesn't improve data transfer speed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use AWS DMS with parallel load by splitting tables into multiple tasks.
AWS DMS parallel load with multiple tasks allows concurrent data transfer, reducing total time. Increasing instance size alone may not be enough if the network is the bottleneck. SCT doesn't speed up data transfer. Homogeneous migration doesn't require SCT, but parallel load is more effective.
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.
Use a single DMS task with full LOB mode.
Why it's wrong here
Single task with full LOB is slower.
Use AWS DMS with parallel load by splitting tables into multiple tasks.
Why this is correct
Parallel load accelerates migration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Increase the RDS instance size and use pg_dump.
Why it's wrong here
pg_dump is serial and might not finish in 2 hours.
Use AWS SCT to optimize schema and then one DMS task.
Why it's wrong here
SCT doesn't improve data transfer speed.
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.
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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with parallel load by splitting tables into multiple tasks. — AWS DMS parallel load with multiple tasks allows concurrent data transfer, reducing total time. Increasing instance size alone may not be enough if the network is the bottleneck. SCT doesn't speed up data transfer. Homogeneous migration doesn't require SCT, but parallel load is more effective.
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.
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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