The answer is to create an Amazon RDS read replica and configure the application to use it for read traffic, as this is the most cost-effective solution for read scaling with unpredictable spikes. A read replica offloads SELECT queries from the primary database instance, reducing read latency without requiring expensive vertical scaling or architectural overhauls, and you can manually scale the number of replicas or implement a custom auto-scaling solution to match demand. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between high availability and read scaling—a common trap is confusing Multi-AZ (which only provides failover, not read offloading) with read replicas. Remember that RDS Proxy handles connection pooling, not throughput, and ElastiCache adds cost and application complexity. Memory tip: “Replicas read, Multi-AZ bleeds”—if you need to scale reads, think replicas; if you need failover, think Multi-AZ.
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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 deploying a new web application that uses Amazon RDS for MySQL. The application has unpredictable read traffic spikes. The company wants to minimize read latency and automatically scale read capacity. What is the MOST cost-effective solution?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an Amazon RDS read replica and configure the application to use it for read traffic
A Multi-AZ deployment provides high availability but does not offload reads. Read replicas offload read traffic and can be scaled manually or via auto-scaling with a custom solution. RDS Proxy is for connection management, not read scaling. ElastiCache is a caching layer but requires application changes and adds cost. Read replicas are the most cost-effective for read scaling.
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.
✗
Use Amazon ElastiCache as a caching layer
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache requires application changes and may be less cost-efficient than read replicas for this scenario.
✗
Use Amazon RDS Proxy to manage connections
Why it's wrong here
RDS Proxy manages connections but does not scale read capacity.
✗
Deploy the RDS instance in a Multi-AZ configuration
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ provides failover, not read scaling.
✓
Create an Amazon RDS read replica and configure the application to use it for read traffic
Why this is correct
Read replicas offload read traffic and can be scaled manually; they are cost-effective.
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.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
ElastiCache requires application changes and may be less cost-efficient than read replicas for this scenario.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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.
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an Amazon RDS read replica and configure the application to use it for read traffic — A Multi-AZ deployment provides high availability but does not offload reads. Read replicas offload read traffic and can be scaled manually or via auto-scaling with a custom solution. RDS Proxy is for connection management, not read scaling. ElastiCache is a caching layer but requires application changes and adds cost. Read replicas are the most cost-effective for read scaling.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. A company is deploying a new web application on AWS. The application uses Amazon RDS for MySQL with a Multi-AZ deployment. The application team wants to reduce latency for read-heavy workloads. Which action should be taken?
hard
A.Enable Multi-AZ on the existing RDS instance
B.Increase the instance size of the primary RDS instance
✓ C.Add a read replica in the same Region
D.Switch from RDS to Amazon DynamoDB with DAX
Why C: Adding read replicas offloads read traffic from the primary instance, reducing latency. Option A is incorrect because increasing instance size may not significantly reduce read latency. Option B is incorrect because enabling Multi-AZ does not improve read performance. Option D is incorrect because switching to DynamoDB is a different database paradigm and may require application changes.
Variation 2. A company is deploying a new web application using Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. The application requires read-heavy workloads and automatic failover. Which configuration should be used?
hard
A.Multi-AZ deployment without Read Replicas
B.Single-AZ with a Read Replica in the same region
C.Multiple Read Replicas in different regions
✓ D.Multi-AZ deployment with one or more Read Replicas
Why D: Multi-AZ deployment provides automatic failover, and Read Replicas offload read traffic. Option D is correct. Option A (Single-AZ) no HA. Option B (Multi-AZ) gives HA but no read scaling. Option C (Read Replicas only) no automatic failover.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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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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