The correct answer is to implement exponential backoff and retry in the application code because the ProvisionedThroughputExceededException is a transient throttling error that occurs when your request rate exceeds the DynamoDB table’s provisioned read or write capacity. Exponential backoff works by progressively increasing the wait time between retry attempts, which reduces request contention and allows the service to recover, making it the standard error-handling pattern for AWS SDKs. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of application-level resilience versus capacity planning—a common trap is confusing a temporary throttling error with a permanent capacity issue, leading you to incorrectly reduce capacity or switch to on-demand. Remember that exponential backoff is the best practice for handling transient failures, not changing the table’s throughput settings. A quick memory tip: think of it as “back off and try again, not change the plan.”
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. 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.
A developer is using Amazon DynamoDB with provisioned throughput. The application is receiving ProvisionedThroughputExceededException errors. What is the BEST way to handle this error?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement exponential backoff and retry in the application code.
Option D is correct because the best practice is to implement exponential backoff and retry logic. Option A is wrong because the error is transient, not a permanent issue. Option B is wrong because switching to on-demand would resolve the issue but is not the best way to handle the error; it's a capacity change, not an error handling strategy. Option C is wrong because reducing read capacity would make the problem worse.
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.
✗
Contact AWS Support to increase the DynamoDB service limits.
Why it's wrong here
Service limits are not the issue; the provisioned throughput is being exceeded.
✗
Reduce the read and write capacity units.
Why it's wrong here
Reducing capacity would increase the likelihood of throttling.
✓
Implement exponential backoff and retry in the application code.
Why this is correct
Exponential backoff allows the application to retry after a delay, reducing the chance of further throttling.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Switch the table to on-demand capacity mode.
Why it's wrong here
While on-demand mode would prevent the error, the question asks how to handle the error, not how to avoid it permanently.
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 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.
Identify which DVA-C02 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.
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement exponential backoff and retry in the application code. — Option D is correct because the best practice is to implement exponential backoff and retry logic. Option A is wrong because the error is transient, not a permanent issue. Option B is wrong because switching to on-demand would resolve the issue but is not the best way to handle the error; it's a capacity change, not an error handling strategy. Option C is wrong because reducing read capacity would make the problem worse.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DVA-C02 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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