- A
Increase the Lambda function timeout.
Why wrong: Timeout affects execution duration, not concurrency limits.
- B
Increase the DynamoDB read capacity units.
Why wrong: This addresses database performance, not Lambda throttling.
- C
Configure reserved concurrency on the Lambda function.
Reserved concurrency guarantees a set number of concurrent executions, reducing throttling.
- D
Enable API Gateway caching.
Why wrong: Caching reduces API calls but does not prevent Lambda throttling.
Question 15 of 1,616
How to Fix Lambda Throttling Errors with Reserved Concurrency
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. 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 designing a serverless application using AWS Lambda, Amazon API Gateway, and Amazon DynamoDB. The application experiences occasional throttling on the Lambda function during peak traffic. The developer needs to reduce the number of throttling errors without changing the Lambda function code. Which solution should the developer implement?
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
✓
Configure reserved concurrency on the Lambda function.
Option C is correct because configuring reserved concurrency on the Lambda function guarantees a set number of concurrent executions for that function, preventing it from being throttled by the account-level concurrency limit during peak traffic. This directly addresses throttling errors without requiring any code changes, as throttling occurs when the function's burst concurrency exceeds the available pool in the AWS Region.
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.
- ✗
Increase the Lambda function timeout.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout affects execution duration, not concurrency limits.
- ✗
Increase the DynamoDB read capacity units.
Why it's wrong here
This addresses database performance, not Lambda throttling.
- ✓
Configure reserved concurrency on the Lambda function.
Why this is correct
Reserved concurrency guarantees a set number of concurrent executions, reducing throttling.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable API Gateway caching.
Why it's wrong here
Caching reduces API calls but does not prevent Lambda throttling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse throttling (caused by Lambda concurrency limits) with performance issues (e.g., timeouts or database throughput), leading them to pick options like increasing timeout or DynamoDB capacity, which do not address the root cause of concurrency exhaustion.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lambda throttling occurs when the function's burst concurrency (e.g., 500-3000 per Region) is exhausted, and the account-level concurrency limit (default 1000) is reached. Reserved concurrency sets a hard cap on the function's concurrent executions, ensuring it always has a dedicated pool of concurrency from the account limit, but it also means unused reserved concurrency cannot be shared with other functions. In practice, for a serverless API, combining reserved concurrency with a provisioned concurrency strategy can further reduce cold starts and throttling during traffic spikes.
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: Configure reserved concurrency on the Lambda function. — Option C is correct because configuring reserved concurrency on the Lambda function guarantees a set number of concurrent executions for that function, preventing it from being throttled by the account-level concurrency limit during peak traffic. This directly addresses throttling errors without requiring any code changes, as throttling occurs when the function's burst concurrency exceeds the available pool in the AWS Region.
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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