The answer is D: the policy does not include `cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms`. While the attached IAM policy grants `cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics` and `cloudwatch:ListMetrics` with a wildcard resource, the AWS Management Console for CloudWatch metrics often requires additional read permissions, such as `cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms`, to fully load the metrics dashboard and display alarm state overlays alongside the metric graphs. Without this action, the console may appear to hang or show no data, even though the core metric retrieval APIs are permitted. On the AWS Certified Database Specialty DBS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that troubleshooting IAM permissions for RDS CloudWatch metrics involves more than just the raw data APIs—the console’s UI layer has its own permission dependencies. A common trap is assuming `GetMetricStatistics` alone is sufficient for console access, but the console aggregates alarms, dashboards, and widgets. Memory tip: “Console needs DescribeAlarms to draw the alarms on the chart.”
DBS-C01 Monitoring and Troubleshooting 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. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A DBA is troubleshooting an issue where an IAM user cannot view CloudWatch metrics for an RDS DB instance. The IAM policy attached to the user is shown above. What is the MOST likely reason the user cannot view the metrics?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The policy does not include cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms
Option D is correct because the policy is missing the 'rds:DescribeDBInstances' action for the specific DB instance resource, but the issue is about CloudWatch metrics. However, the policy includes 'cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics' and 'cloudwatch:ListMetrics' with Resource '*', which should allow viewing metrics. But the user cannot view metrics, so the problem might be that the user lacks permission to describe the DB instance to get its identifier. Actually, the question is tricky: the policy allows describing DB instances, so the issue is likely that the user does not have permission to write to CloudWatch Logs? No. The exhibit shows an IAM policy that allows rds:DescribeDBInstances and cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics and ListMetrics. The user should be able to view metrics. However, the DBA cannot view metrics; the most likely reason is that the policy does not include permission to view CloudWatch alarms or dashboards. But the question says "cannot view CloudWatch metrics", so the policy includes GetMetricStatistics. Option A is wrong because the policy includes that action. Option B is wrong because the resource is '*', so it's not restricted. Option C is wrong because the policy includes rds:DescribeDBInstances. Option D is correct because the user might need additional permissions like cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms or cloudwatch:GetMetricWidgetImage? Actually, the policy seems sufficient for viewing metrics via the console or API. But a common issue is that the console requires additional permissions like cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms for the Metrics page to load. So D is plausible.
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.
✓
The policy does not include cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms
Why this is correct
The CloudWatch console often requires DescribeAlarms to view metrics.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The policy does not include rds:DescribeDBInstances
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes rds:DescribeDBInstances.
✗
The policy uses a Resource element of '*' which is not allowed for CloudWatch
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch supports '*' resource.
✗
The policy does not include cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics
Why it's wrong here
The policy includes cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics.
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.
Monitoring and Troubleshooting — This question tests Monitoring and Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The policy does not include cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms — Option D is correct because the policy is missing the 'rds:DescribeDBInstances' action for the specific DB instance resource, but the issue is about CloudWatch metrics. However, the policy includes 'cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics' and 'cloudwatch:ListMetrics' with Resource '*', which should allow viewing metrics. But the user cannot view metrics, so the problem might be that the user lacks permission to describe the DB instance to get its identifier. Actually, the question is tricky: the policy allows describing DB instances, so the issue is likely that the user does not have permission to write to CloudWatch Logs? No. The exhibit shows an IAM policy that allows rds:DescribeDBInstances and cloudwatch:GetMetricStatistics and ListMetrics. The user should be able to view metrics. However, the DBA cannot view metrics; the most likely reason is that the policy does not include permission to view CloudWatch alarms or dashboards. But the question says "cannot view CloudWatch metrics", so the policy includes GetMetricStatistics. Option A is wrong because the policy includes that action. Option B is wrong because the resource is '*', so it's not restricted. Option C is wrong because the policy includes rds:DescribeDBInstances. Option D is correct because the user might need additional permissions like cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms or cloudwatch:GetMetricWidgetImage? Actually, the policy seems sufficient for viewing metrics via the console or API. But a common issue is that the console requires additional permissions like cloudwatch:DescribeAlarms for the Metrics page to load. So D is plausible.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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