- A
Use the point-in-time recovery feature to restore the database to a new DB instance at a time before the drop, then use pg_dump to export the table and import it into the production database.
PITR allows restore to any second within the backup retention period, minimizing data loss and downtime by restoring to a new instance.
- B
Restore the automated backup from S3 to a new EC2 instance running PostgreSQL, then export the table and import it into the production database.
Why wrong: RDS automated backups are not directly accessible as files; this is not a supported method and would be complex.
- C
Restore the database from the most recent manual snapshot to a new instance, then use pg_dump to extract the table and import it into the production database.
Why wrong: This is slower and not point-in-time; manual snapshots may not have the exact data before the drop.
- D
Create a read replica from the production database, stop replication, and use pg_dump to extract the table from the replica and import it into the production database.
Why wrong: A read replica may not have the exact data before the drop if replication lag exists, and this approach is not point-in-time.
DBS-C01 Management and Operations Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of management and operations. 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 runs a production Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL database with automated backups enabled. A database administrator accidentally dropped a critical table. The administrator wants to restore the table from a point in time before the drop. The database is 1 TB in size and the recovery point objective (RPO) is 5 minutes. Which approach minimizes downtime?
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
Use the point-in-time recovery feature to restore the database to a new DB instance at a time before the drop, then use pg_dump to export the table and import it into the production database.
Option A is correct because Amazon RDS Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) allows restoring to any second within the backup retention window, enabling a restore to just before the table was dropped. After restoring to a new DB instance, pg_dump can export the specific table, and then pg_restore or psql can import it into the production database. This minimizes downtime by avoiding a full database restore and only moving the single dropped table.
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 the point-in-time recovery feature to restore the database to a new DB instance at a time before the drop, then use pg_dump to export the table and import it into the production database.
Why this is correct
PITR allows restore to any second within the backup retention period, minimizing data loss and downtime by restoring to a new instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Restore the automated backup from S3 to a new EC2 instance running PostgreSQL, then export the table and import it into the production database.
Why it's wrong here
RDS automated backups are not directly accessible as files; this is not a supported method and would be complex.
- ✗
Restore the database from the most recent manual snapshot to a new instance, then use pg_dump to extract the table and import it into the production database.
Why it's wrong here
This is slower and not point-in-time; manual snapshots may not have the exact data before the drop.
- ✗
Create a read replica from the production database, stop replication, and use pg_dump to extract the table from the replica and import it into the production database.
Why it's wrong here
A read replica may not have the exact data before the drop if replication lag exists, and this approach is not point-in-time.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think a read replica or manual snapshot can recover a dropped table, but they fail to realize that the drop operation is replicated to the replica and that manual snapshots may not meet the required RPO.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon RDS PITR uses automated backups and transaction logs to replay database changes up to a specified time within the retention period. The restore creates a new DB instance, preserving the original production database untouched. Using pg_dump with the --table flag allows exporting only the needed table, reducing downtime compared to restoring the entire 1 TB database. The RPO of 5 minutes is achievable because PITR can target a time within seconds of the incident.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Management and Operations — This question tests Management and Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the point-in-time recovery feature to restore the database to a new DB instance at a time before the drop, then use pg_dump to export the table and import it into the production database. — Option A is correct because Amazon RDS Point-in-Time Recovery (PITR) allows restoring to any second within the backup retention window, enabling a restore to just before the table was dropped. After restoring to a new DB instance, pg_dump can export the specific table, and then pg_restore or psql can import it into the production database. This minimizes downtime by avoiding a full database restore and only moving the single dropped table.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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