Quick Answer
The answer is to scale up the DB instance to db.r5.xlarge. This directly reduces RDS MySQL CPU utilization without code changes by providing more vCPUs and compute capacity to handle the complex queries, effectively distributing the processing load across stronger hardware. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that vertical scaling (scaling up) is the immediate fix for CPU bottlenecks when you cannot modify application logic, while options like read replicas or storage type changes address different pain points—replicas offload read traffic but do not reduce CPU on the writer, and gp3 storage only improves I/O performance, not compute. A common trap is assuming a read replica will lower CPU on the primary instance, but it only helps with read scaling. Memory tip: “CPU crunch? Scale up the punch.”
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 company's Amazon RDS for MySQL DB instance is experiencing high CPU utilization. The DB instance is a db.r5.large with 200 GB of General Purpose SSD (gp2) storage. The application is performing many complex queries. Which action would BEST reduce CPU utilization without changing the application code?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Create a read replica and route write queries to it
Why wrong: Read replicas are for read traffic, not writes.
Modify the storage type to gp3
Why wrong: Storage type does not affect CPU.
Scale up the DB instance to db.r5.xlarge
More CPU cores/vCPUs reduce utilization.
Enable the query cache parameter
Why wrong: Query cache may have limited effect and is deprecated in newer MySQL versions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Scale up the DB instance to db.r5.xlarge
Option A is correct because scaling up the instance provides more CPU capacity. Option B is wrong because read replicas help with read scaling but not CPU on the writer. Option C is wrong because gp3 storage does not affect CPU. Option D is wrong because changing the query cache is unlikely to significantly reduce CPU.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Create a read replica and route write queries to it
Why it's wrong here
Read replicas are for read traffic, not writes.
Modify the storage type to gp3
Why it's wrong here
Storage type does not affect CPU.
Scale up the DB instance to db.r5.xlarge
Why this is correct
More CPU cores/vCPUs reduce utilization.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable the query cache parameter
Why it's wrong here
Query cache may have limited effect and is deprecated in newer MySQL versions.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Scale up the DB instance to db.r5.xlarge — Option A is correct because scaling up the instance provides more CPU capacity. Option B is wrong because read replicas help with read scaling but not CPU on the writer. Option C is wrong because gp3 storage does not affect CPU. Option D is wrong because changing the query cache is unlikely to significantly reduce CPU.
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.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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.
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