The answer is to implement lazy loading and increase the TTL. Lazy loading populates the cache only when a read request misses, ensuring that frequently accessed data gradually fills the cache, which directly improves the cache hit ratio over time as the working set stabilizes. Increasing the TTL keeps cached data valid for longer, reducing the frequency of evictions and stale entries that cause misses. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of cache optimization strategies for ElastiCache Redis, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse read replicas or persistence with hit ratio improvements. Remember, read replicas boost throughput, not hit ratio, and decreasing TTL accelerates misses. A simple memory tip: “Lazy loads and long TTLs keep the cache full and the hits rolling.”
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 is using Amazon ElastiCache for Redis to cache database query results. The cache cluster is a single node. The application experiences increased latency when the cache misses. Which TWO actions can improve the cache hit ratio?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the Time-to-Live (TTL) for cached items.
Options A and E are correct. Option A: Increasing the TTL keeps data in cache longer, reducing misses. Option E: Using lazy loading caches data on demand, which can improve hit ratio over time. Option B is wrong because decreasing TTL would increase misses. Option C is wrong because more read replicas do not improve hit ratio; they improve read throughput. Option D is wrong because disabling persistence does not affect hit ratio.
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.
✓
Increase the Time-to-Live (TTL) for cached items.
Why this is correct
Longer TTL reduces cache misses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable persistence to free memory.
Why it's wrong here
Does not affect hit ratio.
✗
Decrease the Time-to-Live (TTL) for cached items.
Why it's wrong here
Shorter TTL increases misses.
✗
Add read replicas to the ElastiCache cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas increase availability, not hit ratio.
✓
Implement lazy loading to populate the cache on read requests.
Why this is correct
Lazy loading ensures data is cached when accessed.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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.
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the Time-to-Live (TTL) for cached items. — Options A and E are correct. Option A: Increasing the TTL keeps data in cache longer, reducing misses. Option E: Using lazy loading caches data on demand, which can improve hit ratio over time. Option B is wrong because decreasing TTL would increase misses. Option C is wrong because more read replicas do not improve hit ratio; they improve read throughput. Option D is wrong because disabling persistence does not affect hit ratio.
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.
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Question Discussion
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