- A
Use a composite key with a random suffix on the partition key.
Write sharding distributes writes across multiple partitions, reducing hot spots.
- B
Enable DynamoDB global tables.
Why wrong: Global tables provide multi-region replication, not write throughput increase.
- C
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for the table.
Why wrong: DAX caches reads, not writes.
- D
Increase the provisioned read capacity units (RCU).
Why wrong: Read capacity does not affect write throttling.
Question 793 of 1,730
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 company has a multi-player game that uses DynamoDB to store game state. The access pattern is write-heavy, and the game state for each active game session is updated frequently. The team notices throttling on the table during peak hours. The table has a partition key of game_id and no sort key. What design change would best reduce throttling?
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 a random suffix on the partition key.
The write-heavy access pattern with frequent updates to the same game sessions causes throttling because all writes for a given game_id hit the same partition, creating a hot partition. Using a composite key with a random suffix on the partition key distributes the writes across multiple partitions, reducing the per-partition write throughput and alleviating 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 a composite key with a random suffix on the partition key.
Why this is correct
Write sharding distributes writes across multiple partitions, reducing hot spots.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB global tables.
Why it's wrong here
Global tables provide multi-region replication, not write throughput increase.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) for the table.
Why it's wrong here
DAX caches reads, not writes.
- ✗
Increase the provisioned read capacity units (RCU).
Why it's wrong here
Read capacity does not affect write throttling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The DBS-C01 exam often tests the misconception that increasing capacity or adding caching solves write throttling, but the real issue is partition-level hot spots that require key distribution strategies like random suffixes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB partitions data based on the partition key's hash value; without a sort key, all items with the same game_id land on the same partition. By appending a random suffix (e.g., a number from 1 to N) to the game_id, the hash distributes writes across N partitions, effectively multiplying the write capacity. This technique is often used for time-series data or high-traffic entities, but requires application logic to read from all suffixes when querying.
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 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.
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
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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 a composite key with a random suffix on the partition key. — The write-heavy access pattern with frequent updates to the same game sessions causes throttling because all writes for a given game_id hit the same partition, creating a hot partition. Using a composite key with a random suffix on the partition key distributes the writes across multiple partitions, reducing the per-partition write throughput and alleviating throttling.
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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