- A
DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX)
Why wrong: DAX is a caching service, not for handling capacity spikes.
- B
DynamoDB on-demand capacity mode
Why wrong: On-demand mode handles spikes but is not a scaling feature; it's a billing mode.
- C
DynamoDB auto scaling
Auto scaling adjusts read/write capacity automatically based on traffic.
- D
DynamoDB global tables
Why wrong: Global tables are for multi-Region replication, not for handling spikes.
Question 101 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
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.
A developer is deploying an application that uses Amazon DynamoDB as its database. The application experiences sudden spikes in traffic. Which DynamoDB feature should the developer use to handle the spikes without manual intervention?
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
✓
DynamoDB auto scaling
DynamoDB auto scaling (option C) is the correct choice because it automatically adjusts the provisioned read and write capacity based on actual traffic patterns using the AWS Application Auto Scaling service. This allows the application to handle sudden spikes in traffic without manual intervention by increasing capacity when utilization rises and decreasing it when traffic subsides, all while maintaining a target utilization percentage.
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.
- ✗
DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX)
Why it's wrong here
DAX is a caching service, not for handling capacity spikes.
- ✗
DynamoDB on-demand capacity mode
Why it's wrong here
On-demand mode handles spikes but is not a scaling feature; it's a billing mode.
- ✓
DynamoDB auto scaling
Why this is correct
Auto scaling adjusts read/write capacity automatically based on traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DynamoDB global tables
Why it's wrong here
Global tables are for multi-Region replication, not for handling spikes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DynamoDB on-demand capacity mode (option B) with a feature that handles spikes without manual intervention, but the question specifically asks for a 'feature' that adjusts provisioned capacity, and on-demand is a capacity mode that eliminates the need for provisioning altogether, not a feature that handles spikes within a provisioned model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB auto scaling works by defining a scaling policy with a target utilization (e.g., 70% of provisioned capacity) and using CloudWatch alarms on consumed capacity metrics to trigger scale-up or scale-down operations via Application Auto Scaling. A subtle behavior is that auto scaling can lag behind very sudden, extreme spikes because it reacts to CloudWatch metrics over a period (typically 1-5 minutes), so for unpredictable, massive bursts, on-demand capacity mode might be more appropriate. In a real-world scenario, a flash sale event might cause a spike that auto scaling cannot keep up with, leading to throttling unless the developer also implements exponential backoff and retries.
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.
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
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DynamoDB auto scaling — DynamoDB auto scaling (option C) is the correct choice because it automatically adjusts the provisioned read and write capacity based on actual traffic patterns using the AWS Application Auto Scaling service. This allows the application to handle sudden spikes in traffic without manual intervention by increasing capacity when utilization rises and decreasing it when traffic subsides, all while maintaining a target utilization percentage.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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