- A
FreeStorageSpace
Why wrong: FreeStorageSpace is a storage metric, not CPU.
- B
DatabaseConnections
High connection count can lead to CPU contention.
- C
CPUUtilization
CPUUtilization is the direct measure of CPU usage.
- D
NetworkThroughput
Why wrong: NetworkThroughput measures network traffic, not CPU.
- E
ReadLatency
Why wrong: ReadLatency measures I/O performance, not CPU.
Question 573 of 1,616
RDS CPU Bottleneck Metrics
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 needs to monitor the performance of an Amazon RDS for MySQL database. Which TWO metrics should the developer monitor to detect a potential CPU bottleneck?
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
✓
DatabaseConnections
High CPUUtilization (Option C) directly indicates the CPU is under heavy load, which is the primary symptom of a CPU bottleneck. DatabaseConnections (Option B) is correct because an excessive number of concurrent connections can overwhelm the CPU as each connection requires context switching and query processing, leading to CPU saturation. Monitoring both metrics together helps distinguish between a CPU bottleneck caused by high query load versus one caused by connection overhead.
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.
- ✗
FreeStorageSpace
Why it's wrong here
FreeStorageSpace is a storage metric, not CPU.
- ✓
DatabaseConnections
Why this is correct
High connection count can lead to CPU contention.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
CPUUtilization
Why this is correct
CPUUtilization is the direct measure of CPU usage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
NetworkThroughput
Why it's wrong here
NetworkThroughput measures network traffic, not CPU.
- ✗
ReadLatency
Why it's wrong here
ReadLatency measures I/O performance, not CPU.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often focus solely on CPUUtilization and overlook DatabaseConnections, not realizing that a high number of connections can itself be the root cause of CPU saturation, especially in bursty connection scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, RDS for MySQL uses a fixed number of vCPUs based on the instance class; when CPUUtilization approaches 100%, the database may experience query queuing and increased query execution time. The DatabaseConnections metric is tied to the `max_connections` parameter (default based on instance memory), and each connection consumes CPU cycles for parsing, planning, and executing queries. In a real-world scenario, a sudden spike in DatabaseConnections from a misconfigured application can cause CPUUtilization to soar even if individual queries are simple, making both metrics essential for root cause analysis.
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.
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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: DatabaseConnections — High CPUUtilization (Option C) directly indicates the CPU is under heavy load, which is the primary symptom of a CPU bottleneck. DatabaseConnections (Option B) is correct because an excessive number of concurrent connections can overwhelm the CPU as each connection requires context switching and query processing, leading to CPU saturation. Monitoring both metrics together helps distinguish between a CPU bottleneck caused by high query load versus one caused by connection overhead.
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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