The correct answer is the IAM policy statement that grants both `s3:GetObject` and `s3:ListBucket` actions on the bucket and its contents, as this combination provides the minimal permissions required for true read-only access. The `s3:ListBucket` action is needed at the bucket ARN (`arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket`) to allow listing objects, while `s3:GetObject` must target the wildcard object ARN (`arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*`) to retrieve individual files—a common point of confusion on the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam. This question tests your understanding of how S3 permissions separate bucket-level operations from object-level operations, and exam traps often include policies that grant `s3:GetObject` alone (which prevents listing) or incorrectly use `s3:GetObject*` (which is not a valid action). For a memory tip, remember the "bucket for list, star for get" rule: the bucket ARN handles listing, while the wildcard ARN handles reading objects.
DVA-C02 Security Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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 needs to grant an IAM user read-only access to an S3 bucket named 'my-bucket'. Which IAM policy statement should be attached?
Option B is correct because it grants read-only access by allowing the `s3:GetObject` action (to read objects) and the `s3:ListBucket` action (to list objects in the bucket). The resources are correctly specified: `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket` for the bucket-level `ListBucket` action and `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*` for the object-level `GetObject` action. This combination provides the minimal permissions needed for read-only access without allowing write or delete operations.
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.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget to include both the bucket ARN and the object ARN, or they mistakenly use a single ARN like `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*` for both actions, which would fail for `s3:ListBucket` because it requires the bucket-level ARN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, S3 actions are divided into bucket-level (e.g., `s3:ListBucket`) and object-level (e.g., `s3:GetObject`), requiring separate resource ARNs. The bucket ARN (`arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket`) applies to bucket-level operations, while the object ARN (`arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*`) applies to object-level operations. A common real-world scenario is granting read-only access to a data lake for analytics, where listing and reading objects is necessary but writing or deleting must be prevented.
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.
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: {"Effect":"Allow","Action":["s3:GetObject","s3:ListBucket"],"Resource":["arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket","arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*"]} — Option B is correct because it grants read-only access by allowing the `s3:GetObject` action (to read objects) and the `s3:ListBucket` action (to list objects in the bucket). The resources are correctly specified: `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket` for the bucket-level `ListBucket` action and `arn:aws:s3:::my-bucket/*` for the object-level `GetObject` action. This combination provides the minimal permissions needed for read-only access without allowing write or delete operations.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A developer needs to grant an IAM user access to list objects in an S3 bucket named 'app-data'. Which IAM policy statement should be used?
Why C: Option C is correct because the s3:ListBucket action is required to list the objects in an S3 bucket, and the resource ARN must specify the bucket itself (arn:aws:s3:::app-data) without a trailing /*. This grants permission to list the contents of the 'app-data' bucket, which is the exact requirement.
Variation 2. A developer needs to grant an IAM user access to an S3 bucket for read-only operations. Which IAM policy action should be used?
easy
A.s3:PutObject
B.s3:DeleteObject
C.s3:ListBucket
✓ D.s3:GetObject
Why D: Option B is correct because s3:GetObject allows reading objects from S3. Option A is wrong because s3:PutObject allows writing. Option C is wrong because s3:ListBucket allows listing but not reading object content. Option D is wrong because s3:DeleteObject allows deletion.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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.