- A
Create an Amazon RDS read replica in the same region.
A read replica can handle read traffic, reducing load on the primary.
- B
Add another primary instance and configure replication.
Why wrong: RDS does not support multiple primary instances; Multi-AZ has only one primary.
- C
Modify the application to use the read replica endpoint for SELECT queries.
Directing read queries to the read replica offloads the primary.
- D
Use the Multi-AZ secondary instance endpoint for read queries.
Why wrong: The secondary in Multi-AZ is a standby and cannot serve traffic; it's only for failover.
- E
Enable Amazon RDS Proxy to distribute read queries across instances.
Why wrong: RDS Proxy manages connections, not read distribution; it doesn't create a read endpoint.
Question 519 of 1,616
Amazon RDS Read Replicas for Read Scaling: Offload Read Traffic from Primary Instance
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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 is using Amazon RDS for MySQL with Multi-AZ deployment. The application writes to the database using the primary endpoint. The company wants to improve read performance and offload read traffic from the primary instance. Which TWO actions should the company take? (Choose TWO.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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
✓
Create an Amazon RDS read replica in the same region.
Option A is correct because Amazon RDS read replicas are designed to offload read traffic from the primary DB instance. A read replica is an asynchronous copy of the primary that can serve SELECT queries, improving read performance without impacting write operations on the primary. Option C is correct because the application must explicitly use the read replica's endpoint for read queries; the replica does not automatically balance traffic. Together, creating a read replica and modifying the application to direct SELECT queries to its endpoint achieves the goal of improving read performance and offloading the primary.
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.
- ✓
Create an Amazon RDS read replica in the same region.
Why this is correct
A read replica can handle read traffic, reducing load on the primary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add another primary instance and configure replication.
Why it's wrong here
RDS does not support multiple primary instances; Multi-AZ has only one primary.
- ✓
Modify the application to use the read replica endpoint for SELECT queries.
Why this is correct
Directing read queries to the read replica offloads the primary.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the Multi-AZ secondary instance endpoint for read queries.
Why it's wrong here
The secondary in Multi-AZ is a standby and cannot serve traffic; it's only for failover.
- ✗
Enable Amazon RDS Proxy to distribute read queries across instances.
Why it's wrong here
RDS Proxy manages connections, not read distribution; it doesn't create a read endpoint.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing Multi-AZ standby instances with read replicas—candidates often think the standby can serve reads, but it is a passive replica that only becomes active during failover and has no accessible endpoint for read queries.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon RDS read replicas use MySQL's native asynchronous replication (based on binary log coordinates) to maintain a near-real-time copy of the primary. The read replica can be promoted to a primary in case of failure, but during normal operation it only handles read traffic. Under the hood, the replica's endpoint is a DNS name that resolves to the replica's instance, and the application must be coded to use this endpoint for SELECT statements. A common real-world scenario is using read replicas for reporting or analytics workloads that would otherwise degrade the primary's write performance.
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 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Development with AWS Services — This question tests Development with AWS Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an Amazon RDS read replica in the same region. — Option A is correct because Amazon RDS read replicas are designed to offload read traffic from the primary DB instance. A read replica is an asynchronous copy of the primary that can serve SELECT queries, improving read performance without impacting write operations on the primary. Option C is correct because the application must explicitly use the read replica's endpoint for read queries; the replica does not automatically balance traffic. Together, creating a read replica and modifying the application to direct SELECT queries to its endpoint achieves the goal of improving read performance and offloading the primary.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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