- A
Change the table to provisioned capacity mode with auto scaling
Why wrong: On-demand is already cost-effective for unpredictable traffic; provisioned may not save money.
- B
Compress the items using application-level compression
Why wrong: Compression is not supported by DynamoDB; items are stored as-is.
- C
Use DAX to cache the read results
Why wrong: DAX adds cost and does not reduce RCU consumption for cached reads.
- D
Switch to eventually consistent reads for GetItem operations
Eventually consistent reads consume half the RCU of strongly consistent reads.
Question 840 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. 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.
An application using Amazon DynamoDB is experiencing higher than expected read costs. The table uses on-demand capacity mode. The read pattern is mostly fetching small items (1 KB) using GetItem. Which of the following is the most cost-effective optimization?
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
✓
Switch to eventually consistent reads for GetItem operations
Option D is the most cost-effective because eventually consistent reads consume half the read capacity units (0.5 RCU for items up to 4 KB) compared to strongly consistent reads (1 RCU). Since items are small (1 KB) and the table uses on-demand capacity, halving RCU consumption directly reduces read costs. Option A: Switching to provisioned capacity with auto scaling adds complexity and may not reduce costs if traffic is unpredictable; on-demand is already suitable for variable workloads. Option B: Application-level compression would not significantly reduce RCU consumption because items are already under the 4 KB RCU threshold. Option C: Adding DAX introduces additional cost and primarily improves latency, not read cost, as DAX still charges for reads from DynamoDB.
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 table to provisioned capacity mode with auto scaling
Why it's wrong here
On-demand is already cost-effective for unpredictable traffic; provisioned may not save money.
- ✗
Compress the items using application-level compression
Why it's wrong here
Compression is not supported by DynamoDB; items are stored as-is.
- ✗
Use DAX to cache the read results
Why it's wrong here
DAX adds cost and does not reduce RCU consumption for cached reads.
- ✓
Switch to eventually consistent reads for GetItem operations
Why this is correct
Eventually consistent reads consume half the RCU of strongly consistent reads.
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.
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Monitoring and Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Switch to eventually consistent reads for GetItem operations — Option D is the most cost-effective because eventually consistent reads consume half the read capacity units (0.5 RCU for items up to 4 KB) compared to strongly consistent reads (1 RCU). Since items are small (1 KB) and the table uses on-demand capacity, halving RCU consumption directly reduces read costs. Option A: Switching to provisioned capacity with auto scaling adds complexity and may not reduce costs if traffic is unpredictable; on-demand is already suitable for variable workloads. Option B: Application-level compression would not significantly reduce RCU consumption because items are already under the 4 KB RCU threshold. Option C: Adding DAX introduces additional cost and primarily improves latency, not read cost, as DAX still charges for reads from DynamoDB.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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