Quick Answer
Amazon Neptune is the correct choice because it is a purpose-built graph database designed specifically to store and query highly connected data like nodes and edges in a social network, enabling low-latency traversals that relational or key-value stores cannot efficiently handle. Neptune uses a property graph model and supports both Apache TinkerPop Gremlin and SPARQL query languages, making it ideal for real-time friend-of-friend recommendations and relationship analysis. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to match workload patterns to the right database service—a common trap is confusing DynamoDB’s adjacency list pattern with a true graph database, or assuming ElastiCache can serve as a persistent graph store. Remember the mnemonic “Neptune for Nodes and Edges” to instantly recall that graph data requires a graph database, not a relational, key-value, or cache service.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 needs to store and query graph data (nodes and edges) for a social network. They require low-latency traversals. Which AWS database is best suited?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Amazon Neptune
Purpose-built graph database for low-latency traversals.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why wrong: Relational database, not optimized for graph traversals.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why wrong: In-memory cache, not a graph database.
Amazon DynamoDB
Why wrong: Key-value store, not suitable for graph queries.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Amazon Neptune
Option B is correct because Neptune is a purpose-built graph database. Option A is wrong because RDS is relational. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB is key-value. Option D is wrong because ElastiCache is in-memory cache, not a graph database.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Amazon Neptune
Why this is correct
Purpose-built graph database for low-latency traversals.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
Relational database, not optimized for graph traversals.
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why it's wrong here
In-memory cache, not a graph database.
Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
Key-value store, not suitable for graph queries.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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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FAQ
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Amazon Neptune — Option B is correct because Neptune is a purpose-built graph database. Option A is wrong because RDS is relational. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB is key-value. Option D is wrong because ElastiCache is in-memory cache, not a graph database.
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.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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