The correct answer is to create an Amazon RDS read replica for analytical queries and use Amazon Redshift to offload complex workloads. A read replica provides a separate, read-only endpoint that can handle SELECT statements without adding load to the primary RDS MySQL instance, while Redshift is a columnar data warehouse purpose-built for high-performance analytics on large datasets. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of separating OLTP and OLAP traffic—a common trap is confusing Multi-AZ (which only provides failover, not a read endpoint) with read replicas. Remember that Redshift excels at aggregations and joins over millions of rows, whereas DynamoDB and S3 alone lack the query engine for complex analytics. Memory tip: “Read replica for reads, Redshift for deep dives.”
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An e-commerce company uses Amazon RDS for MySQL to store order data. They need to run complex analytical queries on the data without impacting the performance of the transactional workload. Which TWO solutions should they implement? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Amazon Redshift for analytics and load data via AWS DMS
Creating a read replica offloads read queries from the primary database. Amazon Redshift is a data warehouse optimized for analytics; data can be loaded from RDS. Option B is wrong because enabling Multi-AZ does not provide a separate read-only endpoint. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB is not suitable for complex analytical queries. Option D is wrong because S3 alone cannot run analytical queries.
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.
✗
Migrate the transaction table to Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not support complex JOINs or analytical queries.
✓
Use Amazon Redshift for analytics and load data via AWS DMS
Why this is correct
Redshift is purpose-built for analytics; DMS can replicate data from RDS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store order data in Amazon S3 and query with Amazon Athena
Why it's wrong here
While possible, it is not a direct solution without additional ETL.
✗
Enable Multi-AZ to use the standby for queries
Why it's wrong here
The standby is not accessible for read queries.
✓
Create an Amazon RDS read replica for analytical queries
Why this is correct
Read replicas can handle SELECT queries without affecting the primary.
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 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 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.
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: Use Amazon Redshift for analytics and load data via AWS DMS — Creating a read replica offloads read queries from the primary database. Amazon Redshift is a data warehouse optimized for analytics; data can be loaded from RDS. Option B is wrong because enabling Multi-AZ does not provide a separate read-only endpoint. Option C is wrong because DynamoDB is not suitable for complex analytical queries. Option D is wrong because S3 alone cannot run analytical queries.
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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