- A
Partition data using a high-cardinality partition key
Correct. Partitioning with a high-cardinality key spreads writes evenly, avoiding hot partitions and improving throughput.
- B
Use DynamoDB adaptive capacity to handle uneven access patterns
Correct. Adaptive capacity handles bursty write patterns by dynamically adjusting partition throughput, reducing throttling.
- C
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache write operations
Why wrong: Incorrect. DAX is a read cache; it does not improve write performance and may add write latency.
- D
Enable DynamoDB global tables to distribute writes across regions
Why wrong: Incorrect. Global tables replicate data across regions but do not directly improve write performance; they serve disaster recovery and low-latency reads.
- E
Implement TTL to automatically delete old items
Why wrong: Incorrect. TTL automates deletion of old items but does not improve write performance.
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.
Which THREE design patterns are appropriate for improving write performance in Amazon DynamoDB? (Choose 3.)
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
Partition data using a high-cardinality partition key
A high-cardinality partition key distributes write operations evenly across DynamoDB partitions, preventing hot partitions and maximizing write throughput. DynamoDB adaptive capacity automatically adjusts partition throughput to handle uneven or bursty write patterns, reducing throttling. In contrast, DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is a read cache that does not improve write performance; it can add latency to writes. Therefore, only options A and B are appropriate for improving write performance.
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.
- ✓
Partition data using a high-cardinality partition key
Why this is correct
Correct. Partitioning with a high-cardinality key spreads writes evenly, avoiding hot partitions and improving throughput.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use DynamoDB adaptive capacity to handle uneven access patterns
Why this is correct
Correct. Adaptive capacity handles bursty write patterns by dynamically adjusting partition throughput, reducing throttling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache write operations
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. DAX is a read cache; it does not improve write performance and may add write latency.
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB global tables to distribute writes across regions
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Global tables replicate data across regions but do not directly improve write performance; they serve disaster recovery and low-latency reads.
- ✗
Implement TTL to automatically delete old items
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. TTL automates deletion of old items but does not improve write performance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing DAX's read caching with write performance improvement, and assuming global tables or TTL directly boost write throughput when they serve different purposes (replication and lifecycle management).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB partitions data based on the partition key's hash value; a high-cardinality key (e.g., UUID, timestamp with random suffix) ensures uniform distribution across partitions, each of which has a fixed write capacity (1,000 WCU per partition). Adaptive capacity temporarily absorbs uneven access patterns by borrowing from unused capacity, but it is not a design pattern for improving write performance—it is a mitigation for traffic spikes. DAX caches read operations, not writes; it improves read latency but does not enhance write throughput.
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.
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?
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: Partition data using a high-cardinality partition key — A high-cardinality partition key distributes write operations evenly across DynamoDB partitions, preventing hot partitions and maximizing write throughput. DynamoDB adaptive capacity automatically adjusts partition throughput to handle uneven or bursty write patterns, reducing throttling. In contrast, DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) is a read cache that does not improve write performance; it can add latency to writes. Therefore, only options A and B are appropriate for improving write performance.
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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