Quick Answer
The answer is to use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from MongoDB to DocumentDB, as this approach minimizes application downtime by enabling a live migration. AWS DMS performs a full data load initially, then continuously captures and applies changes from the source MongoDB to the target DocumentDB, allowing you to cut over with only a brief pause. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of migration strategies for minimizing disruption, often appearing as a question where you must differentiate between offline methods like snapshot restore and real-time replication. A common trap is choosing AWS DataSync, which is designed for file or object storage, not database migrations. Remember the mnemonic “DMS for DBMS” to recall that AWS DMS is the go-to service for database migrations with minimal downtime.
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 developer needs to migrate a 500 GB MongoDB database to Amazon DocumentDB. Which approach will minimize application downtime?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Write a custom script to migrate data in batches
Why wrong: Complex and error-prone.
Export data from MongoDB, upload to S3, and import into DocumentDB
Why wrong: Significant downtime.
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from MongoDB to DocumentDB
Minimal downtime with live migration.
Use AWS DataSync to transfer data files
Why wrong: Not suitable for database migration.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from MongoDB to DocumentDB
AWS DMS can perform a live migration with ongoing replication to minimize downtime. Option B is correct. Option A (Snapshot and restore) involves downtime. Option C (Application-level migration) is manual and error-prone. Option D (AWS DataSync) is not for database migration.
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.
Write a custom script to migrate data in batches
Why it's wrong here
Complex and error-prone.
Export data from MongoDB, upload to S3, and import into DocumentDB
Why it's wrong here
Significant downtime.
Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from MongoDB to DocumentDB
Why this is correct
Minimal downtime with live migration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Use AWS DataSync to transfer data files
Why it's wrong here
Not suitable for database migration.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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.
Deployment and Migration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use AWS DMS with ongoing replication from MongoDB to DocumentDB — AWS DMS can perform a live migration with ongoing replication to minimize downtime. Option B is correct. Option A (Snapshot and restore) involves downtime. Option C (Application-level migration) is manual and error-prone. Option D (AWS DataSync) is not for database migration.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO AWS services can be used to migrate a MongoDB database to Amazon DocumentDB? (Choose 2.)
easyWhy B: AWS DMS supports migration from MongoDB to DocumentDB, and MongoDB's native mongodump and mongorestore can be used. Option C (S3) is not directly used. Option D (DataSync) is for file data. Option E (Kinesis) is for streaming data.
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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