The correct answer is to configure the application to use the Aurora reader endpoint for read-only queries. This works because the reader endpoint automatically distributes connections across all available Aurora read replicas, enabling the application to offload read-heavy leaderboard queries without any code changes. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Aurora endpoints and how to balance read and write workloads using existing infrastructure. A common trap is to assume you need to create new read replicas or upgrade the writer instance, but the question explicitly states the reader instances are underutilized, making the reader endpoint the simplest and most cost-effective solution. Remember: the reader endpoint is your load balancer for reads—just point your read-only traffic there and let Aurora handle the distribution.
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 gaming company uses Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL for its leaderboard data. The database has a writer instance and two reader instances. The application frequently queries the leaderboard to display top players. The queries involve sorting and aggregation on a large table with millions of rows. Recently, the queries started timing out during peak hours. The database administrator analyzed the workload and found that the reader instances are underutilized, while the writer instance has high CPU due to write operations. The administrator wants to offload the read-heavy leaderboard queries to the readers without modifying the application code. What should the administrator do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the application to use the Aurora reader endpoint for read-only queries.
Option C is correct because Aurora auto-scaling reader endpoints distribute connections across readers; the application can use the reader endpoint for read-only queries. Option A is wrong because read replicas are already present. Option B is wrong because upgrading the writer does not offload reads. Option D is wrong because creating a new cluster is unnecessary.
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.
✓
Configure the application to use the Aurora reader endpoint for read-only queries.
Why this is correct
The reader endpoint load balances across readers, offloading reads from the writer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Upgrade the writer instance to a larger instance class to handle both read and write operations.
Why it's wrong here
Upgrading the writer does not offload reads; it only increases capacity.
✗
Create additional reader instances to distribute the read load.
Why it's wrong here
Adding more readers may help, but the application still needs to direct traffic to them.
✗
Implement a read-only Aurora cluster and point read queries to it.
Why it's wrong here
Creating a separate cluster is unnecessary; the existing readers can be used.
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: Configure the application to use the Aurora reader endpoint for read-only queries. — Option C is correct because Aurora auto-scaling reader endpoints distribute connections across readers; the application can use the reader endpoint for read-only queries. Option A is wrong because read replicas are already present. Option B is wrong because upgrading the writer does not offload reads. Option D is wrong because creating a new cluster is unnecessary.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company runs an Amazon Aurora MySQL database with read replicas to handle read traffic. During a recent load test, the primary instance CPU utilization reached 90%, but read replicas remained below 50%. The application uses a custom ORM that connects to a single endpoint. Which change will best distribute read traffic?
medium
✓ A.Configure the application to use the Aurora reader endpoint for read queries.
B.Use Amazon RDS Proxy with read/write splitting.
C.Place the read replicas behind an Application Load Balancer.
D.Enable Aurora Auto Scaling for replicas and use the cluster endpoint for both read and write.
Why A: Aurora read replicas are accessed through the reader endpoint, not the cluster endpoint. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because read replicas use reader endpoint. Option C is not a feature of Aurora. Option D is incorrect because ProxySQL is not needed.
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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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