- A
Failover to the standby instance
Why wrong: Failover to the standby instance switches the standby to primary but does not reduce CPU load because the standby was not handling reads; the new primary will still have high CPU.
- B
Increase the DB instance size
Why wrong: Increasing the DB instance size would reduce CPU utilization but is more expensive and may cause downtime; it is not the best first step compared to using a read replica.
- C
Convert the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby
Why wrong: Converting the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby makes it a synchronous replica for failover, not for reading; it does not offload read traffic and thus does not reduce CPU on the primary.
- D
Offload SELECT queries to the read replica
Offloading SELECT queries to the read replica directly reduces CPU utilization on the primary because read replicas can handle read-only traffic, leaving the primary to process write operations.
DBS-C01 Multi-AZ deployment Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of monitoring and troubleshooting. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: multi-AZ deployment. 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 running an Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL DB instance with Multi-AZ deployment. They notice that the primary DB instance is experiencing high CPU utilization. The read replica shows normal CPU. Which action should the DBA take to reduce the load on the primary instance?
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
Offload SELECT queries to the read replica
The correct answer is D. Offloading SELECT queries to the read replica reduces CPU utilization on the primary instance because read replicas can handle read traffic independently. Option A is incorrect: failing over to the standby instance does not reduce CPU load—the standby is only for high availability and becomes the new primary, still handling the same workload. Option B is incorrect: increasing the DB instance size would help but is not the best first step; it involves scaling costs and potential downtime, whereas using a read replica is more efficient and cost-effective for read-heavy workloads. Option C is incorrect: converting the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby would make it a synchronous replica for failover, not for offloading reads, so it would not reduce CPU on the primary.
Key principle: Multi-AZ deployment
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Failover to the standby instance
Why it's wrong here
Failover to the standby instance switches the standby to primary but does not reduce CPU load because the standby was not handling reads; the new primary will still have high CPU.
- ✗
Increase the DB instance size
Why it's wrong here
Increasing the DB instance size would reduce CPU utilization but is more expensive and may cause downtime; it is not the best first step compared to using a read replica.
- ✗
Convert the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby
Why it's wrong here
Converting the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby makes it a synchronous replica for failover, not for reading; it does not offload read traffic and thus does not reduce CPU on the primary.
- ✓
Offload SELECT queries to the read replica
Why this is correct
Offloading SELECT queries to the read replica directly reduces CPU utilization on the primary because read replicas can handle read-only traffic, leaving the primary to process write operations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Multi-AZ deployment
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse Multi-AZ standby with read replicas. The standby is only for high availability and does not serve read traffic, so failing over does not reduce CPU load.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Multi-AZ deployment
- Read replica
- Read offloading
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
Multi-AZ deployment
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.
Review multi-AZ deployment, then practise related DBS-C01 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Monitoring and Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Multi-AZ deployment.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Offload SELECT queries to the read replica — The correct answer is D. Offloading SELECT queries to the read replica reduces CPU utilization on the primary instance because read replicas can handle read traffic independently. Option A is incorrect: failing over to the standby instance does not reduce CPU load—the standby is only for high availability and becomes the new primary, still handling the same workload. Option B is incorrect: increasing the DB instance size would help but is not the best first step; it involves scaling costs and potential downtime, whereas using a read replica is more efficient and cost-effective for read-heavy workloads. Option C is incorrect: converting the read replica to a Multi-AZ standby would make it a synchronous replica for failover, not for offloading reads, so it would not reduce CPU on the primary.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Review multi-AZ deployment, 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?
Multi-AZ deployment
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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