The answer is to install the pgAudit extension and configure it to log all statements. This is the most efficient way to audit all SQL queries in RDS PostgreSQL because pgAudit is a dedicated PostgreSQL extension that provides detailed, session-level logging of every query, including SELECT statements, which standard database logs or parameter groups do not capture by default. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between AWS-level auditing tools like CloudTrail, which logs API calls but not SQL queries, and database-level auditing solutions like pgAudit. A common trap is assuming that enabling RDS Enhanced Monitoring or simply turning on database logs will capture all queries, but neither logs the actual SQL text of SELECT statements. Remember the memory tip: "pgAudit catches every query, CloudTrail catches every API call."
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 needs to audit all SQL queries executed on an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL instance, including SELECT statements. What is the most efficient way to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the pgAudit extension and configure it to log all statements.
Option D is correct because enabling pgAudit extension logs all queries including SELECT. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail does not capture SQL queries. Option B is wrong because enhanced monitoring does not log queries. Option C is wrong because database logs may not capture all queries without audit extension.
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 AWS CloudTrail for the RDS instance.
Why it's wrong here
CloudTrail logs API calls, not SQL queries.
✓
Install the pgAudit extension and configure it to log all statements.
Why this is correct
pgAudit captures detailed query logs including SELECT.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the DB instance to export logs to Amazon CloudWatch Logs.
Why it's wrong here
Logs may not include SELECT unless audit is enabled.
✗
Enable Enhanced Monitoring for the DB instance.
Why it's wrong here
Enhanced Monitoring provides OS metrics, not query logs.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Install the pgAudit extension and configure it to log all statements. — Option D is correct because enabling pgAudit extension logs all queries including SELECT. Option A is wrong because CloudTrail does not capture SQL queries. Option B is wrong because enhanced monitoring does not log queries. Option C is wrong because database logs may not capture all queries without audit extension.
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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