- A
Increase the instance size of the RDS instance.
Increasing instance size directly addresses high CPU by providing more computational resources.
- B
Create a read replica and redirect read traffic to it.
Why wrong: Read replicas handle only read queries, not writes, so they do not reduce write load on the primary.
- C
Enable Multi-AZ deployment to distribute writes.
Why wrong: Multi-AZ provides a standby for failover but does not distribute write load; writes still go to primary.
- D
Use Amazon ElastiCache to cache frequent writes.
Why wrong: ElastiCache is used for caching read-heavy workloads, not for reducing write load.
Question 1,234 of 1,730
DBS-C01 RDS instance scaling 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. A key principle to apply: rDS instance scaling. 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's Amazon RDS for MySQL instance is experiencing high CPU utilization. The company's application is write-heavy. The database administrator wants to reduce the load on the primary instance. Which solution is MOST effective?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
Increase the instance size of the RDS instance.
Increasing the instance size (Option A) provides more CPU and IO capacity to handle the write-heavy workload, thereby reducing CPU utilization. Read replicas (B) can offload read traffic but not write load. Multi-AZ (C) enhances availability but does not distribute writes; writes continue on the primary. ElastiCache (D) caches reads, not writes, so it does not reduce write-related CPU load.
Key principle: RDS instance scaling
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Increase the instance size of the RDS instance.
Why this is correct
Increasing instance size directly addresses high CPU by providing more computational resources.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
RDS instance scaling
- ✗
Create a read replica and redirect read traffic to it.
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas handle only read queries, not writes, so they do not reduce write load on the primary.
- ✗
Enable Multi-AZ deployment to distribute writes.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ provides a standby for failover but does not distribute write load; writes still go to primary.
- ✗
Use Amazon ElastiCache to cache frequent writes.
Why it's wrong here
ElastiCache is used for caching read-heavy workloads, not for reducing write load.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates may think that read replicas can offload writes or that ElastiCache can cache writes, but these are incorrect. The only way to reduce CPU from write-heavy load is to scale the instance size.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis supports write-behind caching patterns where application writes are first stored in the cache and asynchronously persisted to RDS, reducing the write pressure on the database. In a write-heavy scenario, caching frequent writes (e.g., user sessions, leaderboard updates, or transient data) can cut database write I/O by over 90%, directly lowering CPU usage on the primary instance. This approach is especially effective when the application can tolerate eventual consistency for cached data.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- RDS instance scaling
- Write-heavy workload optimization
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
RDS instance scaling
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review rDS instance scaling, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — RDS instance scaling.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the instance size of the RDS instance. — Increasing the instance size (Option A) provides more CPU and IO capacity to handle the write-heavy workload, thereby reducing CPU utilization. Read replicas (B) can offload read traffic but not write load. Multi-AZ (C) enhances availability but does not distribute writes; writes continue on the primary. ElastiCache (D) caches reads, not writes, so it does not reduce write-related CPU load.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review rDS instance scaling, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
RDS instance scaling
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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