- A
Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables
DynamoDB Global Tables replicate data across regions and support strong consistency.
- B
Amazon S3 with cross-region replication
Why wrong: S3 is object storage, not a low-latency key-value database.
- C
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with global datastore
Why wrong: ElastiCache is an in-memory cache, not a primary database.
- D
Amazon Aurora Global Database
Aurora Global Database allows low-latency global reads and disaster recovery.
- E
Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with cross-region read replicas
Why wrong: Read replicas are read-only; cannot write in secondary region.
Question 1,404 of 1,730
Multi-Region Database with Strong Consistency: DynamoDB Global Tables vs Aurora Global Database
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 is designing a database for a global application that requires low-latency reads and writes across multiple AWS regions. The application data is key-value and does not require complex queries. The team needs strong consistency for critical data. Which TWO services should they consider? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables
Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables is correct because it provides a fully managed, multi-region, multi-active database solution that replicates data across AWS Regions with low-latency reads and writes. It supports strongly consistent reads for critical data when using the `ConsistentRead` parameter, which returns the most up-to-date data from the source region. This makes it ideal for key-value workloads requiring global scalability and strong consistency.
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.
- ✓
Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables
Why this is correct
DynamoDB Global Tables replicate data across regions and support strong consistency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon S3 with cross-region replication
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not a low-latency key-value database.
- ✗
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis with global datastore
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is an in-memory cache, not a primary database.
- ✓
Amazon Aurora Global Database
Why this is correct
Aurora Global Database allows low-latency global reads and disaster recovery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with cross-region read replicas
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are read-only; cannot write in secondary region.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'global datastore' (ElastiCache for Redis) with a fully managed multi-region database, not realizing it provides only eventual consistency and is not designed for durable, strongly consistent critical data.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB Global Tables uses a last-writer-wins (LWW) conflict resolution mechanism based on the timestamp of each update, which can lead to data loss if concurrent writes occur in different regions. For strong consistency, you must use `ConsistentRead` in the same region as the write, but cross-region reads are eventually consistent by default. Aurora Global Database uses a single primary region for writes and up to five secondary read-only regions with replication latency typically under one second, but it does not support multi-region writes, making it unsuitable for global write-heavy workloads.
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 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
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?
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables — Amazon DynamoDB Global Tables is correct because it provides a fully managed, multi-region, multi-active database solution that replicates data across AWS Regions with low-latency reads and writes. It supports strongly consistent reads for critical data when using the `ConsistentRead` parameter, which returns the most up-to-date data from the source region. This makes it ideal for key-value workloads requiring global scalability and strong consistency.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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