The answer is to switch to on-demand capacity mode or configure auto scaling with scheduled scaling for the table. This is correct because the ProvisionedThroughputExceededException occurs when read/write capacity is exhausted during predictable peaks, and since the workload is not cacheable, you must address the capacity shortfall directly rather than reducing demand. On-demand mode instantly absorbs traffic spikes without capacity planning, while scheduled scaling pre-provisions capacity to match the known peak window. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of DynamoDB capacity modes and scaling strategies—a common trap is to suggest adding a cache (like DAX) when the question explicitly states the workload is not cacheable. Remember the memory tip: “Peaks predictable? Schedule it. Peaks unpredictable? On-demand is suitable.”
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 DynamoDB application receives ProvisionedThroughputExceededException during predictable daily peaks. The workload is not cacheable. What should be changed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use on-demand capacity or configure autoscaling/scheduled scaling for the table
The ProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates that the table's read/write capacity is insufficient during peak loads. Since the workload is predictable but not cacheable, the correct solution is to either switch to on-demand capacity mode, which automatically scales to handle any traffic level, or configure auto scaling with scheduled scaling to match the predictable peaks. This directly addresses the capacity shortfall without requiring application changes.
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.
✗
Enable S3 Transfer Acceleration
Why it's wrong here
This does not meet the stated requirement as directly as the correct option.
✓
Use on-demand capacity or configure autoscaling/scheduled scaling for the table
Why this is correct
Correct for the stated requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable CloudWatch metrics
Why it's wrong here
This does not meet the stated requirement as directly as the correct option.
✗
Move all reads to strongly consistent mode
Why it's wrong here
This does not meet the stated requirement as directly as the correct option.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think disabling CloudWatch metrics reduces overhead or that strongly consistent reads improve reliability, but both actions either remove monitoring or increase capacity consumption, making the throttling worse.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DynamoDB auto scaling uses the AWS Application Auto Scaling service to adjust provisioned throughput based on target utilization (e.g., 70% of consumed capacity), while scheduled scaling allows you to define specific time-based adjustments for predictable peaks. On-demand mode eliminates the need for capacity planning entirely, but costs more per request; it's ideal for unpredictable or spiky workloads where provisioning is difficult.
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.
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: Use on-demand capacity or configure autoscaling/scheduled scaling for the table — The ProvisionedThroughputExceededException indicates that the table's read/write capacity is insufficient during peak loads. Since the workload is predictable but not cacheable, the correct solution is to either switch to on-demand capacity mode, which automatically scales to handle any traffic level, or configure auto scaling with scheduled scaling to match the predictable peaks. This directly addresses the capacity shortfall without requiring application changes.
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.
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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