The answer is to increase the WriteCapacityUnits of the GSI from 5 to a higher value. This is the most cost-effective fix because a Global Secondary Index (GSI) has its own dedicated write capacity, separate from the base table; when the GSI’s write throughput is too low, it throttles incoming writes even if the main table has ample capacity. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that GSIs are independent resources—a common trap is assuming that raising the table’s write capacity will automatically boost the GSI, which it will not. Another frequent mistake is confusing projection changes (like KEYS_ONLY) with throughput improvements; projection only affects storage and read costs, not write throttling. Remember the memory tip: “GSI has its own throttle—boost its capacity, not the table’s.”
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.
A developer is designing a DynamoDB table for an order management system using the above CloudFormation template. The application needs to query orders by CustomerID. The current design has a GSI on CustomerID. However, the developer notices that the GSI has low write throughput and often throttles. What is the most cost-effective way to improve write throughput on the GSI?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the WriteCapacityUnits of the GSI from 5 to a higher value.
Option A is correct because increasing the GSI's write capacity directly addresses the throttling. Option B is wrong because increasing table write capacity does not affect GSI capacity; GSI has its own. Option C is wrong because changing projection to KEYS_ONLY reduces storage but not write throughput. Option D is wrong because SQS does not help with DynamoDB write throughput.
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.
✗
Change the ProjectionType of the GSI to KEYS_ONLY.
Why it's wrong here
Projection type does not affect write throughput.
✗
Use Amazon SQS to buffer writes to the table.
Why it's wrong here
SQS does not affect DynamoDB write capacity.
✗
Increase the WriteCapacityUnits of the table.
Why it's wrong here
Table capacity does not affect GSI capacity.
✓
Increase the WriteCapacityUnits of the GSI from 5 to a higher value.
Why this is correct
GSI has its own provisioned throughput; increasing it alleviates throttling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
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: Increase the WriteCapacityUnits of the GSI from 5 to a higher value. — Option A is correct because increasing the GSI's write capacity directly addresses the throttling. Option B is wrong because increasing table write capacity does not affect GSI capacity; GSI has its own. Option C is wrong because changing projection to KEYS_ONLY reduces storage but not write throughput. Option D is wrong because SQS does not help with DynamoDB write throughput.
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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