The answer is resource exhaustion on the db.t3.micro instance, specifically running out of memory or CPU credits. The db.t3.micro is a burstable instance that relies on CPU credits to handle sustained loads; when a large SQL script creates tables and inserts 10,000 rows, the intensive processing can deplete these credits and saturate the limited memory, causing the PostgreSQL process to terminate the connection with a “connection reset” error. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of T3 instance limitations and the difference between storage, network, and compute bottlenecks—a common trap is to blame storage or security groups, but the small 20 GB gp2 volume and single connection rule those out. Remember the mnemonic: “T3 runs on credits, not on luck”—if the script exhausts CPU credits or memory, the connection drops before the data finishes loading.
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. 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.
A startup is deploying a new web application on AWS. The application uses Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL as its database. The developers need to create the initial schema and load test data. They have a SQL script file that creates tables and inserts 10,000 rows. The DB instance is a db.t3.micro with 20 GB gp2 storage. The developers connect to the RDS instance using pgAdmin from their local machine and run the script. The script fails with a 'connection reset' error after inserting 5,000 rows. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The DB instance ran out of memory or CPU credits due to the intensive script
Option A is correct because the db.t3.micro instance has limited memory and CPU credits; a large script can exhaust resources and cause a connection reset. Option B is wrong because the storage is 20 GB and 10,000 rows of test data are small. Option C is wrong because security group timeout is not typical for a connection reset. Option D is wrong because the default max_connections for db.t3.micro is typically sufficient for a single connection.
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.
✓
The DB instance ran out of memory or CPU credits due to the intensive script
Why this is correct
db.t3.micro has limited resources; the script may overwhelm it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The max_connections parameter was set too low
Why it's wrong here
Default max_connections for db.t3.micro is 45, which is sufficient.
✗
The storage volume reached its maximum capacity
Why it's wrong here
20 GB is more than enough for 10,000 rows of test data.
✗
The security group blocked the connection due to a timeout
Why it's wrong here
Security groups do not cause connection resets mid-query.
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.
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: The DB instance ran out of memory or CPU credits due to the intensive script — Option A is correct because the db.t3.micro instance has limited memory and CPU credits; a large script can exhaust resources and cause a connection reset. Option B is wrong because the storage is 20 GB and 10,000 rows of test data are small. Option C is wrong because security group timeout is not typical for a connection reset. Option D is wrong because the default max_connections for db.t3.micro is typically sufficient for a single connection.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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