Question 1,187 of 724
DVA-C02 Development with AWS Services Practice Question
A developer wants to store session state for a web application running on multiple EC2 instances. Which AWS service provides a fully managed, in-memory data store that is ideal for this use case?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently choose DynamoDB because it is fully managed and supports TTL, but they overlook the fact that the question specifically asks for an 'in-memory data store,' which DynamoDB is not—it uses SSD storage and has higher latency than an in-memory cache like Redis.
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
✓
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis is the correct choice because it provides a fully managed, in-memory data store that is ideal for storing session state across multiple EC2 instances. Redis supports atomic operations, TTL-based key expiration, and high-speed reads/writes, making it perfect for session management where low-latency access and automatic data eviction are critical. Unlike disk-based stores, ElastiCache for Redis keeps session data in memory, ensuring sub-millisecond response times and seamless scaling as the web application grows.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis
Why this is correct
Amazon ElastiCache for Redis is an excellent choice for storing web application session state due to its in-memory, high-performance nature. It provides extremely low-latency read and write operations, essential for a responsive user experience. As a fully managed service, it simplifies deployment and scaling, offering robust support for various data structures that efficiently manage session attributes and expiration.
- ✗
Amazon S3
Why it's wrong here
Amazon S3 is fundamentally an object storage service designed for durable, highly available storage of large, static files and objects. It is not suitable for dynamic, frequently updated session state because its API model and inherent latency are optimized for object retrieval and storage, not for the rapid, low-latency read/write operations required for real-time session management. Using S3 for session state would introduce unacceptable performance bottlenecks and complexity.
- ✗
Amazon DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
Amazon DynamoDB is a fast, scalable NoSQL database service, but it is a persistent, disk-backed database rather primarily than an in-memory cache. While it offers low-latency access, its design and cost structure are optimized for durable data storage with high throughput, not for the ephemeral, extremely low-latency requirements of session state. An in-memory solution like ElastiCache provides superior performance and cost-efficiency for temporary session data.
- ✗
Amazon RDS for MySQL
Why it's wrong here
Amazon RDS for MySQL is a relational database service primarily designed for structured, transactional data requiring strong consistency and durability. Its disk-backed storage and the overhead associated with ACID compliance introduce higher latency compared to an in-memory cache. While technically capable of storing session data, it is not optimized for the high-volume, low-latency, and often ephemeral read/write patterns characteristic of web application session state, making it less performant and more costly.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This DVA-C02 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 DVA-C02 exam.
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