- A
Increase the Lambda function's memory
Why wrong: Increasing memory can improve CPU performance and may reduce execution time, but it is not a direct fix for a timeout. If the function is I/O bound, more memory may not help, and the timeout may still occur.
- B
Increase the Lambda function's timeout
The timeout error occurs because the function exceeds the configured 30-second limit. Increasing the timeout allows large files more time to complete processing, directly resolving the error without code changes.
- C
Increase the S3 event notification batch size
Why wrong: S3 event notifications are sent one per object; there is no batch size setting for S3 events. This option is not applicable and does not affect timeout.
- D
Enable Lambda function reserved concurrency
Why wrong: Reserved concurrency limits the number of concurrent executions but does not affect the function's execution timeout. It might help with throttling but not with timeout errors.
DVA-C02 Troubleshooting and Optimization Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. 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 troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that processes files uploaded to an Amazon S3 bucket. The function sometimes times out when processing large files. CloudWatch Logs show that the function's execution time correlates with file size. The function is configured with 128 MB memory and a timeout of 30 seconds. Which action should the developer take to resolve the timeout for large files without refactoring the code?
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 Lambda function's timeout
The Lambda function times out because processing large files exceeds the 30-second timeout. Since the execution time correlates with file size and the code cannot be refactored, the only way to resolve the timeout is to increase the function's timeout setting. This directly extends the maximum allowed execution duration, allowing large files to complete processing without code changes.
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's memory
Why it's wrong here
Increasing memory can improve CPU performance and may reduce execution time, but it is not a direct fix for a timeout. If the function is I/O bound, more memory may not help, and the timeout may still occur.
- ✓
Increase the Lambda function's timeout
Why this is correct
The timeout error occurs because the function exceeds the configured 30-second limit. Increasing the timeout allows large files more time to complete processing, directly resolving the error without code changes.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the S3 event notification batch size
Why it's wrong here
S3 event notifications are sent one per object; there is no batch size setting for S3 events. This option is not applicable and does not affect timeout.
- ✗
Enable Lambda function reserved concurrency
Why it's wrong here
Reserved concurrency limits the number of concurrent executions but does not affect the function's execution timeout. It might help with throttling but not with timeout errors.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume increasing memory will always solve performance issues, but when the root cause is a hard timeout limit, only increasing the timeout setting directly addresses the timeout error without code changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Lambda timeout is a hard limit; if execution exceeds it, the function is forcibly terminated and an error is logged. The maximum timeout for synchronous invocations is 900 seconds (15 minutes), so increasing it to accommodate large files is valid. Memory allocation in Lambda also proportionally allocates vCPU—doubling memory roughly doubles CPU—but this only reduces processing time, not the timeout ceiling, and may not be sufficient if the file is extremely large.
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.
Visual reference
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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?
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: Increase the Lambda function's timeout — The Lambda function times out because processing large files exceeds the 30-second timeout. Since the execution time correlates with file size and the code cannot be refactored, the only way to resolve the timeout is to increase the function's timeout setting. This directly extends the maximum allowed execution duration, allowing large files to complete processing without code changes.
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: Jun 11, 2026
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