- A
FreeableMemory
FreeableMemory is a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, published automatically every minute. It measures available memory, which is useful for monitoring memory pressure. It is a standard metric and does not require Enhanced Monitoring or Performance Insights.
- B
CPUUtilization
CPUUtilization is a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, measuring the percentage of CPU capacity usage. It is automatically available without any additional setup.
- C
QueryThroughput
Why wrong: Not a default metric for RDS.
- D
ReadThrottleEvents
Why wrong: This is for DynamoDB.
- E
DatabaseConnections
Why wrong: DatabaseConnections is also a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, but it is not one of the two correct answers in this scenario. However, it is indeed a default metric.
Default CloudWatch Metrics for RDS MySQL
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. A key principle to apply: amazon CloudWatch. 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 wants to monitor the performance of an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance. Which TWO metrics are available in Amazon CloudWatch by default? (Choose 2.)
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
FreeableMemory
CPUUtilization (Option B) and FreeableMemory (Option A) are both default CloudWatch metrics for Amazon RDS. CPUUtilization measures the percentage of CPU capacity used by the database instance. FreeableMemory reports the amount of available random access memory. Both are automatically published to CloudWatch every minute without additional setup. DatabaseConnections (Option E) is also a default metric, but in the context of this question, the two correct answers are CPUUtilization and FreeableMemory. QueryThroughput (Option C) is not a standard CloudWatch metric for RDS; it is available from Performance Insights. ReadThrottleEvents (Option D) is not a default metric; it is specific to DynamoDB or RDS with provisioned IOPS. Therefore, the correct answers are A and B.
Key principle: Amazon CloudWatch
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
FreeableMemory
Why this is correct
FreeableMemory is a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, published automatically every minute. It measures available memory, which is useful for monitoring memory pressure. It is a standard metric and does not require Enhanced Monitoring or Performance Insights.
Related concept
Amazon CloudWatch
- ✓
CPUUtilization
Why this is correct
CPUUtilization is a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, measuring the percentage of CPU capacity usage. It is automatically available without any additional setup.
Related concept
Amazon CloudWatch
- ✗
QueryThroughput
Why it's wrong here
Not a default metric for RDS.
- ✗
ReadThrottleEvents
Why it's wrong here
This is for DynamoDB.
- ✗
DatabaseConnections
Why it's wrong here
DatabaseConnections is also a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, but it is not one of the two correct answers in this scenario. However, it is indeed a default metric.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse default CloudWatch metrics with Enhanced Monitoring or Performance Insights metrics. Many think FreeableMemory requires Enhanced Monitoring, but it is actually a default metric. Another trap is assuming DatabaseConnections is not default, but it is. The key is to know which metrics are automatically published without extra configuration.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
DatabaseConnections is also a default CloudWatch metric for RDS, but it is not one of the two correct answers in this scenario. However, it is indeed a default metric.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CloudWatch collects RDS metrics via the hypervisor for the EC2 instance hosting the RDS database, with a standard 1-minute granularity. CPUUtilization reflects the sum of user and system CPU time, while DatabaseConnections counts the current number of client connections to the MySQL engine, which is tracked by the RDS agent polling the SHOW STATUS command. In a real-world scenario, a sudden spike in DatabaseConnections without a corresponding CPUUtilization increase might indicate a connection leak or idle connections consuming resources.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Amazon CloudWatch
- Default RDS metrics
TExam Day Tips
- 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
Amazon CloudWatch
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review amazon CloudWatch, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Management and Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Management and Operations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DBS-C01 questions
1,730 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DBS-C01 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DBS-C01 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Workload-Specific Database Design practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Workload-Specific Database Design.
Deployment and Migration practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Deployment and Migration.
Management and Operations practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Management and Operations.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Monitoring and Troubleshooting.
Database Security practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to Database Security.
DBS-C01 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 fundamentals.
DBS-C01 scenario practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 scenario.
DBS-C01 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DBS-C01 questions linked to DBS-C01 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DBS-C01 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Amazon CloudWatch.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: FreeableMemory — CPUUtilization (Option B) and FreeableMemory (Option A) are both default CloudWatch metrics for Amazon RDS. CPUUtilization measures the percentage of CPU capacity used by the database instance. FreeableMemory reports the amount of available random access memory. Both are automatically published to CloudWatch every minute without additional setup. DatabaseConnections (Option E) is also a default metric, but in the context of this question, the two correct answers are CPUUtilization and FreeableMemory. QueryThroughput (Option C) is not a standard CloudWatch metric for RDS; it is available from Performance Insights. ReadThrottleEvents (Option D) is not a default metric; it is specific to DynamoDB or RDS with provisioned IOPS. Therefore, the correct answers are A and B.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review amazon CloudWatch, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Amazon CloudWatch
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More DBS-C01 practice questions
- A company is deploying a new application on Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The security policy requires that all data be enc…
- Match each AWS service to its primary purpose.
- A financial services company runs a production Amazon Aurora MySQL database cluster (1 writer, 2 readers) in us-east-1.…
- A company is designing a database for a global e-commerce platform that requires low-latency reads and writes from multi…
- A security auditor reviews the output of a DynamoDB table description command as shown in the exhibit. Which statement a…
- A company is migrating an on-premises Oracle database to Amazon RDS for Oracle. The database contains sensitive data tha…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.