- A
Aurora automatically fails over to a read replica in case of primary failure.
Why wrong: Standard RDS Multi-AZ also provides automatic failover.
- B
Aurora is compatible with PostgreSQL, so you can migrate from SQL Server easily.
Why wrong: Aurora has a PostgreSQL-compatible edition, but migration from SQL Server is not straightforward.
- C
Aurora can deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL on the same hardware.
Aurora's architecture provides significant performance improvements.
- D
Aurora supports up to 15 read replicas, while RDS for MySQL only supports 5.
Why wrong: Standard RDS for MySQL also supports up to 15 read replicas.
- E
Aurora provides higher durability with 6 copies of data across 3 AZs.
Aurora automatically replicates data across multiple AZs and storage nodes.
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.
Which TWO of the following are advantages of using Amazon Aurora over standard RDS for MySQL?
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
Aurora can deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL on the same hardware.
Option C is correct because Amazon Aurora uses a distributed, SSD-backed storage subsystem that separates compute from storage, enabling it to deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL running on the same hardware. This performance gain comes from the Aurora storage engine's ability to reduce I/O operations and parallelize writes across multiple storage nodes.
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.
- ✗
Aurora automatically fails over to a read replica in case of primary failure.
Why it's wrong here
Standard RDS Multi-AZ also provides automatic failover.
- ✗
Aurora is compatible with PostgreSQL, so you can migrate from SQL Server easily.
Why it's wrong here
Aurora has a PostgreSQL-compatible edition, but migration from SQL Server is not straightforward.
- ✓
Aurora can deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL on the same hardware.
Why this is correct
Aurora's architecture provides significant performance improvements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Aurora supports up to 15 read replicas, while RDS for MySQL only supports 5.
Why it's wrong here
Standard RDS for MySQL also supports up to 15 read replicas.
- ✓
Aurora provides higher durability with 6 copies of data across 3 AZs.
Why this is correct
Aurora automatically replicates data across multiple AZs and storage nodes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the number of read replicas supported by RDS for MySQL (which is 15, not 5) and assume Aurora's higher replica count is a unique advantage, while in fact both services support the same limit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Aurora's throughput advantage stems from its quorum-based write model, where writes are sent to all 6 storage nodes across 3 AZs, and the system only needs a write quorum of 4 nodes to confirm a write, reducing latency. Additionally, the Aurora storage system automatically stripes data across multiple volumes and uses a log-structured merge-tree approach to minimize random I/O, which is a key differentiator from standard MySQL's InnoDB engine. In real-world scenarios, this allows Aurora to handle high-traffic OLTP workloads with consistent performance, even under heavy write loads.
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.
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
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
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: Aurora can deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL on the same hardware. — Option C is correct because Amazon Aurora uses a distributed, SSD-backed storage subsystem that separates compute from storage, enabling it to deliver up to 5x the throughput of standard MySQL running on the same hardware. This performance gain comes from the Aurora storage engine's ability to reduce I/O operations and parallelize writes across multiple storage nodes.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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