- A
DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) enabled.
Why wrong: DAX is a cache, not a capacity mode.
- B
Provisioned capacity mode with auto scaling.
Why wrong: Auto scaling has a maximum capacity and may not keep up with sudden spikes.
- C
On-demand capacity mode.
Automatically scales to handle any traffic level.
- D
Provisioned capacity mode with fixed read/write capacity.
Why wrong: Can throttle during spikes.
Question 539 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 wants to deploy a DynamoDB table that requires consistent single-digit millisecond latency regardless of traffic spikes. Which DynamoDB capacity mode should be selected?
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
✓
On-demand capacity mode.
On-demand capacity mode is the correct choice because it automatically scales read and write capacity up and down based on actual traffic, eliminating the need for capacity planning and ensuring consistent single-digit millisecond latency even during unpredictable traffic spikes. This mode is designed for workloads with variable or bursty traffic patterns where latency sensitivity is critical.
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.
- ✗
DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) enabled.
Why it's wrong here
DAX is a cache, not a capacity mode.
- ✗
Provisioned capacity mode with auto scaling.
Why it's wrong here
Auto scaling has a maximum capacity and may not keep up with sudden spikes.
- ✓
On-demand capacity mode.
Why this is correct
Automatically scales to handle any traffic level.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Provisioned capacity mode with fixed read/write capacity.
Why it's wrong here
Can throttle during spikes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The DBS-C01 exam often tests the misconception that DAX is a capacity mode or that auto scaling provides instant burst protection, when in fact only on-demand mode guarantees zero throttling during sudden traffic spikes without pre-provisioning.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
On-demand capacity mode uses a built-in adaptive capacity mechanism that instantly scales to accommodate any request rate, leveraging DynamoDB's internal partitioning and throughput management to maintain single-digit millisecond latency. Under the hood, it charges per request (read/write units) with a higher per-unit cost than provisioned, but eliminates the risk of throttling from sudden spikes. In real-world scenarios, this is ideal for applications like gaming leaderboards or flash sales where traffic patterns are unpredictable.
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?
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: On-demand capacity mode. — On-demand capacity mode is the correct choice because it automatically scales read and write capacity up and down based on actual traffic, eliminating the need for capacity planning and ensuring consistent single-digit millisecond latency even during unpredictable traffic spikes. This mode is designed for workloads with variable or bursty traffic patterns where latency sensitivity is critical.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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