Quick Answer
The answer is an under-provisioned Global Secondary Index (GSI) with provisioned capacity set too low. Even when the base table uses on-demand capacity, each GSI operates with its own read and write capacity settings, and if that GSI is configured with provisioned throughput, it can throttle read requests independently. This means high read latency can occur specifically on queries that target the GSI, because the index lacks sufficient capacity to handle the request rate, while the base table remains unthrottled. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that DynamoDB capacity modes are per-table and per-index, not inherited; a common trap is assuming on-demand on the base table protects all indexes. Remember that a GSI is a separate table from a capacity perspective—if it’s provisioned, it can bottleneck reads even if the main table is on-demand. Memory tip: “GSI stands for ‘Get Starved Index’ when provisioned too low.”
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 team is troubleshooting a DynamoDB table that has high read latency. The table uses on-demand capacity and has a global secondary index (GSI). Which configuration is MOST likely causing the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The GSI has provisioned capacity set too low
GSIs have independent capacity; throttling on GSI causes high latency.
Time-to-Live (TTL) is enabled
Why wrong: TTL only deletes expired items, it does not impact read latency.
DAX is enabled for the table
Why wrong: DAX is a caching layer that reduces latency.
The table uses on-demand capacity
Why wrong: On-demand automatically scales, so it's not the cause.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The GSI has provisioned capacity set too low
Option A is correct because an under-provisioned GSI can throttle reads even if the base table uses on-demand. Option B is wrong because on-demand handles bursts. Option C is wrong because TTL does not affect read latency. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) reduces latency, not increases.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The GSI has provisioned capacity set too low
Why this is correct
GSIs have independent capacity; throttling on GSI causes high latency.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Time-to-Live (TTL) is enabled
Why it's wrong here
TTL only deletes expired items, it does not impact read latency.
DAX is enabled for the table
Why it's wrong here
DAX is a caching layer that reduces latency.
The table uses on-demand capacity
Why it's wrong here
On-demand automatically scales, so it's not the cause.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The GSI has provisioned capacity set too low — Option A is correct because an under-provisioned GSI can throttle reads even if the base table uses on-demand. Option B is wrong because on-demand handles bursts. Option C is wrong because TTL does not affect read latency. Option D is wrong because DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) reduces latency, not increases.
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.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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.
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