- A
Scan the entire table and sort to get top scores
Why wrong: Scanning the entire table and sorting is inefficient and consumes excessive read capacity; it does not scale for frequent updates.
- B
Use strongly consistent reads for the leaderboard queries
Strongly consistent reads are a best practice for leaderboard queries to ensure accurate and up-to-date rankings, especially when scores are updated frequently.
- C
Use a Global Secondary Index with score as the sort key to query top scores efficiently
Using a GSI with score as the sort key allows efficient querying for top scores with the Query operation and ScanIndexForward=false, minimizing read throughput.
- D
Use DynamoDB Streams to update a materialized leaderboard table
DynamoDB Streams can capture changes and update a materialized leaderboard table, enabling low-latency reads on pre-computed results.
- E
Use a single partition key for all players to easily query top scores
Why wrong: A single partition key creates a hot partition and prevents efficient sorted queries; it is a common anti-pattern.
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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.
Which THREE of the following are best practices for designing a DynamoDB table for a gaming leaderboard that updates scores frequently and supports queries for top players? (Choose 3.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Use strongly consistent reads for the leaderboard queries
Option B is correct because strongly consistent reads guarantee that the leaderboard query always returns the most up-to-date scores, which is critical for a competitive gaming leaderboard where accuracy is paramount. Option C is correct because a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key allows efficient range queries to retrieve top players without scanning the entire table. Option D is correct because DynamoDB Streams can be used to update a materialized leaderboard table, enabling efficient queries on pre-computed rankings. Options A and E are incorrect: scanning the entire table is inefficient and a single partition key creates a hot partition and prevents efficient sorted queries.
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.
- ✗
Scan the entire table and sort to get top scores
Why it's wrong here
Scanning the entire table and sorting is inefficient and consumes excessive read capacity; it does not scale for frequent updates.
- ✓
Use strongly consistent reads for the leaderboard queries
Why this is correct
Strongly consistent reads are a best practice for leaderboard queries to ensure accurate and up-to-date rankings, especially when scores are updated frequently.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use a Global Secondary Index with score as the sort key to query top scores efficiently
Why this is correct
Using a GSI with score as the sort key allows efficient querying for top scores with the Query operation and ScanIndexForward=false, minimizing read throughput.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use DynamoDB Streams to update a materialized leaderboard table
Why this is correct
DynamoDB Streams can capture changes and update a materialized leaderboard table, enabling low-latency reads on pre-computed results.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use a single partition key for all players to easily query top scores
Why it's wrong here
A single partition key creates a hot partition and prevents efficient sorted queries; it is a common anti-pattern.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often overlook the need for strong consistency in leaderboard scenarios, thinking eventual consistency is always sufficient. They may also fail to realize that DynamoDB Streams can be leveraged for materialized views. Additionally, they might incorrectly consider a single partition key acceptable for global ranking, not recognizing the hot partition issue.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB partitions data based on the partition key's hash; a GSI with score as the sort key distributes write load across partitions while enabling efficient sorted queries via the Query API. DynamoDB Streams can capture score changes and update a separate materialized table (e.g., a pre-computed leaderboard) asynchronously, reducing read pressure on the main table and allowing complex aggregations without impacting write performance.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use strongly consistent reads for the leaderboard queries — Option B is correct because strongly consistent reads guarantee that the leaderboard query always returns the most up-to-date scores, which is critical for a competitive gaming leaderboard where accuracy is paramount. Option C is correct because a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with score as the sort key allows efficient range queries to retrieve top players without scanning the entire table. Option D is correct because DynamoDB Streams can be used to update a materialized leaderboard table, enabling efficient queries on pre-computed rankings. Options A and E are incorrect: scanning the entire table is inefficient and a single partition key creates a hot partition and prevents efficient sorted queries.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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