The correct answer is to implement caching with Amazon ElastiCache for frequently accessed data and to use Amazon RDS Proxy to manage database connections. RDS Proxy reduces CPU load by efficiently pooling and reusing established connections to the MySQL database, eliminating the overhead of repeatedly creating new connections under high concurrency. ElastiCache offloads read-heavy queries from the database, directly lowering CPU utilization caused by processing repeated requests. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of targeted architectural solutions versus brute-force scaling—a common trap is choosing larger instance sizes or read replicas, which do not address connection-induced CPU spikes. Remember the mnemonic “Proxy for pooling, Cache for queries” to quickly recall that RDS Proxy handles connection overhead while ElastiCache reduces read pressure, together forming a precise, cost-effective approach to reduce CPU load on RDS MySQL.
DBS-C01 Workload-Specific Database Design Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of workload-specific database design. 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 web application that uses Amazon RDS for MySQL. The database frequently experiences high CPU utilization due to many concurrent connections. The application uses connection pooling at the application layer. Which TWO approaches can reduce CPU load on the database?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Amazon RDS Proxy to manage database connections.
Option A is correct because RDS Proxy manages connection pooling, reducing the overhead of establishing connections. Option D is correct because caching frequent read queries with ElastiCache reduces database load. Option B is wrong because increasing instance size may help but is not the most targeted solution. Option C is wrong because read replicas help with read scaling, not CPU due to connections. Option E is wrong because Multi-AZ does not reduce CPU load.
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 Amazon RDS Proxy to manage database connections.
Why this is correct
Reduces connection overhead.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Multi-AZ to distribute the load.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-AZ does not distribute load.
✗
Create read replicas to offload read traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Does not address CPU due to connections.
✗
Increase the DB instance size to a larger instance type.
Why it's wrong here
May help but is not the most cost-effective.
✓
Implement caching with Amazon ElastiCache for frequently accessed data.
Why this is correct
Reduces database queries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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.
Workload-Specific Database Design — This question tests Workload-Specific Database Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Amazon RDS Proxy to manage database connections. — Option A is correct because RDS Proxy manages connection pooling, reducing the overhead of establishing connections. Option D is correct because caching frequent read queries with ElastiCache reduces database load. Option B is wrong because increasing instance size may help but is not the most targeted solution. Option C is wrong because read replicas help with read scaling, not CPU due to connections. Option E is wrong because Multi-AZ does not reduce CPU load.
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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Question Discussion
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