The correct answer is to reduce the backup retention period to 1 day. This works because automated backups consume storage in the same RDS instance allocation, and shortening the retention window forces AWS to delete older backup data, freeing up space while still retaining the most recent backup for point-in-time recovery. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that automated backup storage is tied to the retention period, not to manual snapshots or instance size. A common trap is confusing manual snapshots with automated backups—manual snapshots persist independently and do not affect the storage used by automated backups. Another pitfall is assuming disabling backups entirely is acceptable, but that removes point-in-time recovery capability. Remember the mnemonic: “Retention reduction recovers RDS room.”
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. 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 database administrator notices that an Amazon RDS for MySQL instance's storage is filling up unexpectedly. The administrator has enabled automated backups and retains them for 7 days. Which of the following actions would help reduce storage consumption without losing the ability to perform point-in-time recovery?
Modify the DB instance to a smaller instance class
Why wrong: Instance class size does not affect storage consumption.
B
Reduce the backup retention period to 1 day
Reducing backup retention period deletes older automated backups, freeing storage space while still allowing point-in-time recovery within the retained window.
C
Delete manual DB snapshots
Why wrong: Manual snapshots do not contribute to the automated backup storage.
D
Disable automated backups
Why wrong: Disabling backups would lose point-in-time recovery capability.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Reduce the backup retention period to 1 day
Option B is correct because deleting old automated backups reduces storage used by backup data. Option A is wrong because manual snapshots are separate and do not affect automated backup storage. Option C is wrong because disabling backups would remove point-in-time recovery capability. Option D is wrong because modifying DB instance class does not reduce storage consumption.
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.
✗
Modify the DB instance to a smaller instance class
Why it's wrong here
Instance class size does not affect storage consumption.
✓
Reduce the backup retention period to 1 day
Why this is correct
Reducing backup retention period deletes older automated backups, freeing storage space while still allowing point-in-time recovery within the retained window.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Delete manual DB snapshots
Why it's wrong here
Manual snapshots do not contribute to the automated backup storage.
✗
Disable automated backups
Why it's wrong here
Disabling backups would lose point-in-time recovery capability.
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.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Reduce the backup retention period to 1 day — Option B is correct because deleting old automated backups reduces storage used by backup data. Option A is wrong because manual snapshots are separate and do not affect automated backup storage. Option C is wrong because disabling backups would remove point-in-time recovery capability. Option D is wrong because modifying DB instance class does not reduce storage consumption.
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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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.
Question Discussion
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