- A
Increase the Lambda function's timeout to 10 minutes.
Why wrong: This would allow the function to run longer but does not address the DynamoDB throttling. The function will likely still time out due to repeated retries.
- B
Increase the write capacity units (WCUs) on the DynamoDB table.
The DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates the table's write capacity is exhausted. Increasing WCUs reduces throttling and speeds up writes, reducing the Lambda function's execution time.
- C
Increase the Lambda function's memory allocation to 3008 MB.
Why wrong: More memory can improve CPU performance but does not resolve DynamoDB throttling. The bottleneck is the write capacity, not compute power.
- D
Use an Amazon SQS FIFO queue instead of a standard queue for the Lambda trigger.
Why wrong: Changing the queue type does not address the DynamoDB throttling. It may affect ordering but not throughput to DynamoDB.
Quick Answer
Increasing the write capacity units (WCUs) on the DynamoDB table is the correct action because the Lambda timeout is a direct symptom of DynamoDB throttling. When the function’s writes exceed the provisioned 5 WCUs, DynamoDB returns ProvisionedThroughputExceeded errors, forcing the Lambda function to retry repeatedly—each retry consumes execution time, eventually hitting the 5-minute timeout. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how DynamoDB throttling cascades into Lambda timeouts, especially when the function code hasn’t changed but workload volume has increased. A common trap is to assume the issue lies in the Lambda code or SQS configuration, but the root cause is always capacity starvation at the database layer. Remember: when Lambda timeouts coincide with DynamoDB throttling errors, always check WCUs first—think “throttle equals timeout.”
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. A key principle to apply: dynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.. 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 developer monitors an AWS Lambda function that processes records from an Amazon SQS queue and writes results to an Amazon DynamoDB table. CloudWatch Logs show that execution time has increased over the past week, and the function frequently times out at the 5-minute timeout. The function's code has not been changed recently. CloudWatch metrics show a high rate of DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException errors. The DynamoDB table has 5 write capacity units (WCUs). What action will MOST effectively reduce the function's execution time?
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
Increase the write capacity units (WCUs) on the DynamoDB table.
The high rate of DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException errors indicates that the Lambda function is being throttled by DynamoDB due to insufficient write capacity. When writes are throttled, the Lambda function must retry, which increases execution time and can lead to timeouts. Increasing the WCUs on the DynamoDB table directly addresses the root cause by allowing the function to write without throttling, thereby reducing execution time.
Key principle: DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Increase the Lambda function's timeout to 10 minutes.
Why it's wrong here
This would allow the function to run longer but does not address the DynamoDB throttling. The function will likely still time out due to repeated retries.
- ✓
Increase the write capacity units (WCUs) on the DynamoDB table.
Why this is correct
The DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates the table's write capacity is exhausted. Increasing WCUs reduces throttling and speeds up writes, reducing the Lambda function's execution time.
Related concept
DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.
- ✗
Increase the Lambda function's memory allocation to 3008 MB.
Why it's wrong here
More memory can improve CPU performance but does not resolve DynamoDB throttling. The bottleneck is the write capacity, not compute power.
- ✗
Use an Amazon SQS FIFO queue instead of a standard queue for the Lambda trigger.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the queue type does not address the DynamoDB throttling. It may affect ordering but not throughput to DynamoDB.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume increasing Lambda timeout or memory will fix performance issues, but the real bottleneck is the DynamoDB write capacity, which directly causes the throttling errors and increased execution time.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB throttles write requests when they exceed the provisioned WCUs, returning a ProvisionedThroughputExceededException. The AWS SDK for Lambda automatically retries throttled requests with exponential backoff, but each retry adds latency, causing the function to accumulate execution time. In a real-world scenario, if the function processes a batch of SQS messages, a single throttled write can delay the entire batch, leading to cascading timeouts. Monitoring the DynamoDB throttled write events metric alongside Lambda duration is critical for diagnosing this issue.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.
- Increasing WCUs allows DynamoDB to handle more write operations per second.
- Throttling causes increased latency and retries for Lambda functions interacting with DynamoDB.
- WCUs can be scaled up or down on demand for DynamoDB tables.
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
DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.
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. DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review dynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Increase the write capacity units (WCUs) on the DynamoDB table. — The high rate of DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException errors indicates that the Lambda function is being throttled by DynamoDB due to insufficient write capacity. When writes are throttled, the Lambda function must retry, which increases execution time and can lead to timeouts. Increasing the WCUs on the DynamoDB table directly addresses the root cause by allowing the function to write without throttling, thereby reducing execution time.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review dynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs., then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
DynamoDBProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates insufficient WCUs or RCUs.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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