The correct answer is to use Spot Instances, AWS Instance Scheduler, and Reserved Instances, as these three actions directly target EC2 cost optimization for the described mixed workloads. Spot Instances let you tap into unused AWS capacity at steep discounts—ideal for fault-tolerant or stateless development tasks that can handle interruptions. The Instance Scheduler automates stopping and starting instances on a schedule, so development instances that only run during business hours don’t waste money overnight or on weekends. Reserved Instances provide a significant hourly discount in exchange for a one- or three-year commitment, making them perfect for steady-state production workloads that run continuously. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your ability to match cost-saving services to workload patterns—a common scenario where traps include confusing cost reduction with performance upgrades (like increasing instance size) or focusing on storage types like gp3 when the core issue is compute usage. Memory tip: think “Spot for spiky, Schedule for sleepy, Reserved for reliable.”
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 optimizing costs for an AWS account. The account has multiple EC2 instances running different workloads. Some instances are used for development and are only needed during business hours. Which THREE actions can the developer take to reduce costs? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Purchase Reserved Instances for the production instances.
Options A, B, and D are correct. Using Spot Instances (A) reduces costs for fault-tolerant workloads. Scheduling instances to stop during off-hours (B) saves money. Reserving instances (D) provides discounts for steady-state workloads. Option C (increasing instance size) increases costs. Option E (using EBS gp3) may reduce storage costs but is not specific to the described scenario.
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.
✓
Purchase Reserved Instances for the production instances.
Why this is correct
Reserved Instances provide a discount over On-Demand for steady-state usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Use Spot Instances for fault-tolerant workloads.
Why this is correct
Spot Instances offer significant discounts for interruptible workloads.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use EBS gp3 volumes instead of gp2 to save on storage costs.
Why it's wrong here
While gp3 can be cheaper, this is not directly addressing the EC2 cost issue.
✗
Increase the instance size to handle peak load more efficiently.
Why it's wrong here
Increasing size increases costs, not reduces.
✓
Use AWS Instance Scheduler to stop development instances during non-business hours.
Why this is correct
Stopping instances when not in use reduces running costs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Purchase Reserved Instances for the production instances. — Options A, B, and D are correct. Using Spot Instances (A) reduces costs for fault-tolerant workloads. Scheduling instances to stop during off-hours (B) saves money. Reserving instances (D) provides discounts for steady-state workloads. Option C (increasing instance size) increases costs. Option E (using EBS gp3) may reduce storage costs but is not specific to the described scenario.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.