- A
Increase the ElastiCache cluster size to accommodate more data.
Why wrong: Cache size may not address latency from database reads.
- B
Enable Multi-AZ on the ElastiCache cluster and use read replicas.
Why wrong: ElastiCache already provides replicas; the bottleneck is likely the database.
- C
Use Aurora Replicas to offload read traffic from the primary instance.
Aurora Replicas can handle read queries and reduce latency.
- D
Implement Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) in front of Aurora.
Why wrong: DAX is for DynamoDB, not Aurora.
Question 367 of 1,730
Enhancing Read Performance Using Aurora Replicas with ElastiCache
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 as a caching layer in front of an Amazon Aurora MySQL database. The application is experiencing higher latency than expected. Which database design pattern should the specialist recommend to improve read performance?
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
✓
Use Aurora Replicas to offload read traffic from the primary instance.
The correct answer is C because the application is experiencing higher latency than expected despite using ElastiCache for Redis. This indicates that the cache is not effectively absorbing read traffic, likely due to cache misses or insufficient cache hit ratio. By using Aurora Replicas, read traffic can be offloaded from the primary Aurora instance, reducing load and improving read performance directly at the database layer, which complements the caching layer.
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 ElastiCache cluster size to accommodate more data.
Why it's wrong here
Cache size may not address latency from database reads.
- ✗
Enable Multi-AZ on the ElastiCache cluster and use read replicas.
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache already provides replicas; the bottleneck is likely the database.
- ✓
Use Aurora Replicas to offload read traffic from the primary instance.
Why this is correct
Aurora Replicas can handle read queries and reduce latency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement Amazon DynamoDB Accelerator (DAX) in front of Aurora.
Why it's wrong here
DAX is for DynamoDB, not Aurora.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume that increasing cache capacity (Option A) or adding cache replicas (Option B) will solve read performance issues, but the real problem is that the cache is not effectively reducing database load, so the solution must address the database read path directly with Aurora Replicas.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Aurora Replicas share the same underlying storage volume as the primary instance, so they can serve read traffic with minimal replication lag (typically under 100ms). This allows read-heavy workloads to scale horizontally without the overhead of traditional MySQL replication. In contrast, ElastiCache for Redis is best for hot data caching, but if the working set exceeds cache capacity or the application has a low cache hit ratio, the database still bears the full read load, leading to higher latency.
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 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Use Aurora Replicas to offload read traffic from the primary instance. — The correct answer is C because the application is experiencing higher latency than expected despite using ElastiCache for Redis. This indicates that the cache is not effectively absorbing read traffic, likely due to cache misses or insufficient cache hit ratio. By using Aurora Replicas, read traffic can be offloaded from the primary Aurora instance, reducing load and improving read performance directly at the database layer, which complements the caching layer.
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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