Question 916 of 724
How to Reduce Lambda Cold Start Times: Memory Increase and Scheduled Invocations
Which TWO actions can help reduce the cold start time for an AWS Lambda function? (Choose 2)
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to increase the function’s memory allocation and to implement a scheduled CloudWatch Event that invokes the function every five minutes. Increasing memory proportionally boosts CPU performance, which directly reduces the time required for runtime initialization and dependency loading, while a scheduled invocation keeps the execution environment warm by preventing the container from being reclaimed by the Lambda service. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of cold start mechanics versus elimination strategies—a common trap is confusing provisioned concurrency (which eliminates cold starts entirely) with reduction techniques, or assuming VPCs and smaller deployment packages help, when in fact VPCs add ENI creation latency and larger packages increase download time. Remember the mnemonic “Warm and Fast”: keep it warm with a schedule, make it fast with more memory.
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
✓
Increase the function's memory allocation
Options B and D are correct. Increasing the function's memory allocation also increases CPU and network throughput, which can speed up initialization and reduce cold start time. Implementing a scheduled CloudWatch Event to invoke the function every 5 minutes keeps the function warm by preventing the container from being reclaimed, minimizing cold starts. Option A is incorrect because placing the function in a VPC adds latency due to ENI creation, increasing cold start time. Option C is incorrect because a larger deployment package increases download time, worsening cold starts. Option E is incorrect because provisioned concurrency eliminates cold starts entirely, but it's a different solution that requires additional cost; the question asks for actions that reduce cold start time, and provisioned concurrency is a separate feature.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Place the Lambda function in a VPC
Why it's wrong here
VPC functions have longer cold starts due to ENI creation.
- ✓
Increase the function's memory allocation
Why this is correct
More memory provides more CPU, reducing initialization time.
- ✗
Use a larger deployment package with all dependencies included
Why it's wrong here
Larger packages increase download and extraction time during cold start.
- ✓
Implement a scheduled CloudWatch Event to invoke the function every 5 minutes
Why this is correct
Regular invocations keep the function warm and reduce cold start frequency.
- ✗
Use provisioned concurrency to pre-warm the function
Why it's wrong here
Provisioned concurrency eliminates cold starts but is not an action to reduce cold start time; it's a separate feature.
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 |
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DVA-C02
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. Which TWO actions can help reduce Lambda cold start times? (Choose two.)
easy- A.Increase the deployment package size.
- ✓ B.Increase the memory allocated to the function.
- ✓ C.Use Provisioned Concurrency.
- D.Place the function in a VPC.
- E.Reduce the function timeout.
Why B: Increasing memory also increases CPU, which speeds up initialization. Option C is correct because using Provisioned Concurrency keeps environments warm. Option A is incorrect because larger deployment packages increase cold start. Option D is incorrect because VPC adds network overhead, increasing cold start. Option E is incorrect because reducing the function timeout does not affect cold start time; timeout limits execution duration, not initialization.
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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