- A
Use strongly consistent reads for all queries.
Why wrong: Strongly consistent reads consume more capacity and don't fix partitioning.
- B
Use a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key.
A better partition key (game_id) can distribute writes evenly.
- C
Add a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with a different partition key.
A GSI can distribute read/write load across partitions.
- D
Increase the provisioned read capacity for the table.
Why wrong: Increasing RCU doesn't address hot partition issues.
- E
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache write operations.
Why wrong: DAX does not cache writes.
Question 883 of 1,730
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 company uses Amazon DynamoDB for a gaming application. During a new game launch, the application experiences high latency and throttling on a table with a partition key of 'user_id' and a sort key of 'timestamp'. The access pattern is to query recent items for a given user. Which TWO design changes can improve performance?
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 a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key.
Option B is correct because using a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key distributes traffic more evenly if 'game_id' has high cardinality, reducing hot partitions. Option C is correct because adding a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with a different partition key allows queries to be served from the index, offloading read traffic from the base table. Option A is incorrect because strongly consistent reads do not solve hot partition issues and consume more throughput. Option D is incorrect because increasing read capacity does not address the root cause of a hot partition; the table may still throttle requests to the hot partition. Option E is incorrect because DAX is a caching layer for reads, not writes, and does not resolve partition-level throttling.
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.
- ✗
Use strongly consistent reads for all queries.
Why it's wrong here
Strongly consistent reads consume more capacity and don't fix partitioning.
- ✓
Use a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key.
Why this is correct
A better partition key (game_id) can distribute writes evenly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Add a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with a different partition key.
Why this is correct
A GSI can distribute read/write load across partitions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the provisioned read capacity for the table.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing RCU doesn't address hot partition issues.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache write operations.
Why it's wrong here
DAX does not cache writes.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Visual reference
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Use a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key. — Option B is correct because using a composite key with 'game_id' as partition key and 'timestamp' as sort key distributes traffic more evenly if 'game_id' has high cardinality, reducing hot partitions. Option C is correct because adding a Global Secondary Index (GSI) with a different partition key allows queries to be served from the index, offloading read traffic from the base table. Option A is incorrect because strongly consistent reads do not solve hot partition issues and consume more throughput. Option D is incorrect because increasing read capacity does not address the root cause of a hot partition; the table may still throttle requests to the hot partition. Option E is incorrect because DAX is a caching layer for reads, not writes, and does not resolve partition-level throttling.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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