- A
Switch to a db.r5.xlarge instance type.
Why wrong: Scaling up may help but doesn't address the replication overhead directly.
- B
Disable the Multi-AZ feature and use asynchronous replication with a read replica for failover.
Asynchronous replication reduces write latency; read replica can be promoted for failover.
- C
Enable the synchronous_commit parameter to 'off'.
Why wrong: Setting synchronous_commit to off risks data loss; not recommended for production.
- D
Enable Multi-AZ with two standby replicas.
Why wrong: Adding more standbys increases synchronous replication overhead, worsening latency.
Question 178 of 1,730
Reducing Write Latency in RDS Multi-AZ
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. 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 uses Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL with Multi-AZ deployment. They experience increased write latency during peak hours. The DB instance size is db.r5.large. Which action would MOST effectively reduce write latency?
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
✓
Disable the Multi-AZ feature and use asynchronous replication with a read replica for failover.
Multi-AZ deployments maintain a synchronous standby replica, which adds write latency because the primary must wait for the standby to acknowledge writes. Disabling Multi-AZ and using asynchronous replication to a read replica eliminates this synchronous overhead, allowing writes to complete faster. Option A increases instance size but doesn't address synchronous replication overhead; option C (synchronous_commit off) risks data loss and is not recommended; option D adds another standby, increasing overhead.
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.
- ✗
Switch to a db.r5.xlarge instance type.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling up may help but doesn't address the replication overhead directly.
- ✓
Disable the Multi-AZ feature and use asynchronous replication with a read replica for failover.
Why this is correct
Asynchronous replication reduces write latency; read replica can be promoted for failover.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable the synchronous_commit parameter to 'off'.
Why it's wrong here
Setting synchronous_commit to off risks data loss; not recommended for production.
- ✗
Enable Multi-AZ with two standby replicas.
Why it's wrong here
Adding more standbys increases synchronous replication overhead, worsening latency.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Visual reference
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.
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable the Multi-AZ feature and use asynchronous replication with a read replica for failover. — Multi-AZ deployments maintain a synchronous standby replica, which adds write latency because the primary must wait for the standby to acknowledge writes. Disabling Multi-AZ and using asynchronous replication to a read replica eliminates this synchronous overhead, allowing writes to complete faster. Option A increases instance size but doesn't address synchronous replication overhead; option C (synchronous_commit off) risks data loss and is not recommended; option D adds another standby, increasing overhead.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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