- A
Add a random suffix to the partition key to distribute writes more evenly
Randomizing the partition key helps distribute write load across partitions, reducing throttling.
- B
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache writes
Why wrong: DAX is a read cache and does not handle write requests.
- C
Increase the write capacity units to allow more throughput
Increasing WCU can increase the number of partitions, distributing the load.
- D
Enable Global Tables to replicate writes across regions
Why wrong: Global Tables add more writes and could increase throttling.
- E
Remove the sort key and use only a partition key
Why wrong: Removing the sort key does not affect partition distribution.
Question 388 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Hot partition Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: hot partition. 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 is troubleshooting an Amazon DynamoDB table that is throttling write requests. The table has a partition key ('userId') and a sort key ('timestamp'). The 'WriteCapacityUnits' is set to 1000. CloudWatch shows 'ThrottledWriteRequests' but the 'ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits' is only 500. Which TWO actions could resolve the 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
✓
Add a random suffix to the partition key to distribute writes more evenly
The issue is throttling on write requests despite consumed capacity below provisioned. This indicates a hot partition where one partition receives more writes than its limit (1000 WCU per partition). Option A (add random suffix to partition key) distributes writes across partitions, preventing any single partition from exceeding its limit. Option C (increase write capacity units) can increase the number of partitions, thereby distributing the load and potentially raising the per-partition limit. Option B is incorrect because DAX is a read cache and does not affect write throughput. Option D (Global Tables) does not resolve throttling and may add latency. Option E (removing sort key) does not address partition hotness.
Key principle: Hot partition
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Add a random suffix to the partition key to distribute writes more evenly
Why this is correct
Randomizing the partition key helps distribute write load across partitions, reducing throttling.
Related concept
Hot partition
- ✗
Enable DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) to cache writes
Why it's wrong here
DAX is a read cache and does not handle write requests.
- ✓
Increase the write capacity units to allow more throughput
Why this is correct
Increasing WCU can increase the number of partitions, distributing the load.
Related concept
Hot partition
- ✗
Enable Global Tables to replicate writes across regions
Why it's wrong here
Global Tables add more writes and could increase throttling.
- ✗
Remove the sort key and use only a partition key
Why it's wrong here
Removing the sort key does not affect partition distribution.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse throttling due to hot partitions with overall capacity shortage. They may think increasing capacity is unnecessary when consumed capacity is low, but it can help by increasing partitions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Hot partition
- Partition key design
- Write capacity unit (WCU)
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
Hot partition
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Hot partition Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review hot partition, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Hot partition.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a random suffix to the partition key to distribute writes more evenly — The issue is throttling on write requests despite consumed capacity below provisioned. This indicates a hot partition where one partition receives more writes than its limit (1000 WCU per partition). Option A (add random suffix to partition key) distributes writes across partitions, preventing any single partition from exceeding its limit. Option C (increase write capacity units) can increase the number of partitions, thereby distributing the load and potentially raising the per-partition limit. Option B is incorrect because DAX is a read cache and does not affect write throughput. Option D (Global Tables) does not resolve throttling and may add latency. Option E (removing sort key) does not address partition hotness.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review hot partition, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Hot partition
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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