- A
Enable caching in the Lambda function code
Why wrong: Caching is managed by API Gateway, not Lambda.
- B
Set the TTL in the API Gateway method request integration
Why wrong: TTL is set in the cache settings, not in method request.
- C
Create a cache cluster in API Gateway for the stage
You must enable caching at the API Gateway stage level and specify cache size.
- D
Use Amazon ElastiCache and modify the Lambda function to check cache
Why wrong: This adds complexity; API Gateway native caching is simpler.
Question 278 of 1,616
Enabling API Gateway Caching with a Cache Cluster | AWS Developer Associate Explained
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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 building a serverless application using AWS Lambda and Amazon API Gateway. The developer wants to enable caching for API responses to reduce latency and cost. Which step is REQUIRED to enable caching?
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 a cache cluster in API Gateway for the stage
Option C is correct because API Gateway caching requires a dedicated cache cluster to be enabled and configured at the stage level. This cluster stores API responses and serves them directly from the cache for identical requests, reducing the number of calls to the backend Lambda function and lowering latency. Without creating and enabling this cache cluster in the API Gateway stage settings, caching cannot function.
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 caching in the Lambda function code
Why it's wrong here
Caching is managed by API Gateway, not Lambda.
- ✗
Set the TTL in the API Gateway method request integration
Why it's wrong here
TTL is set in the cache settings, not in method request.
- ✓
Create a cache cluster in API Gateway for the stage
Why this is correct
You must enable caching at the API Gateway stage level and specify cache size.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Amazon ElastiCache and modify the Lambda function to check cache
Why it's wrong here
This adds complexity; API Gateway native caching is simpler.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse API Gateway's built-in caching with external caching solutions like ElastiCache or assume that caching can be enabled solely by modifying Lambda code or integration settings, when in fact a dedicated cache cluster must be explicitly created and enabled at the API Gateway stage level.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
API Gateway caching works by storing responses in an in-memory cache cluster that is provisioned per stage. When caching is enabled, API Gateway checks the cache key (typically the request parameters and headers) before invoking the backend; if a valid cached response exists, it returns it directly, bypassing the Lambda function. The cache cluster size and TTL (default 300 seconds) can be adjusted in the stage settings, and cache invalidation can be controlled via the `Cache-Control` header or the `InvalidateCache` method.
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 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.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
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 a cache cluster in API Gateway for the stage — Option C is correct because API Gateway caching requires a dedicated cache cluster to be enabled and configured at the stage level. This cluster stores API responses and serves them directly from the cache for identical requests, reducing the number of calls to the backend Lambda function and lowering latency. Without creating and enabling this cache cluster in the API Gateway stage settings, caching cannot function.
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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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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