The answer is to use Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog per task. This solution is correct because it dynamically adjusts the number of Fargate tasks to match the processing demand: the backlog metric (ApproximateNumberOfMessages) is divided by the number of running tasks, and the scaling policy maintains a target value for that ratio, ensuring the service scales up when messages accumulate and scales down when the queue drains. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to integrate Amazon ECS with SQS for event-driven, cost-efficient scaling, often contrasting it with scheduled scaling (which is static) or Lambda reserved concurrency (which limits concurrency but doesn’t scale ECS tasks). A common trap is confusing Application Auto Scaling’s scheduled policies with the dynamic, metric-based target tracking approach. Memory tip: think “backlog per task” as the key—divide queue depth by task count to get the true scaling signal.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. 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 company is deploying a microservices application on Amazon ECS using the Fargate launch type. The application includes a service that must process messages from an Amazon SQS queue. The developer wants to ensure that the service scales based on the number of messages in the queue. Which scaling solution should the developer implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog per task.
Option C is correct because Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog can automatically adjust the number of tasks. Option A is wrong because Application Auto Scaling with a scheduled scaling policy is not dynamic. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB auto scaling is for database throughput, not ECS tasks. Option D is wrong because Lambda reserved concurrency limits the number of concurrent executions but does not scale ECS tasks.
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.
✗
Configure DynamoDB auto scaling to adjust read capacity based on queue depth.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB auto scaling is unrelated to ECS task scaling.
✓
Use Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog per task.
Why this is correct
This allows dynamic scaling based on queue depth.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure AWS Lambda with reserved concurrency and trigger it from the SQS queue.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda reserved concurrency does not scale ECS tasks.
✗
Use Application Auto Scaling with a scheduled scaling policy to increase the number of tasks during peak hours.
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled scaling does not respond to real-time queue depth changes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Deployment — This question tests Deployment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog per task. — Option C is correct because Amazon ECS Service Auto Scaling with a target tracking scaling policy based on the SQS queue backlog can automatically adjust the number of tasks. Option A is wrong because Application Auto Scaling with a scheduled scaling policy is not dynamic. Option B is wrong because DynamoDB auto scaling is for database throughput, not ECS tasks. Option D is wrong because Lambda reserved concurrency limits the number of concurrent executions but does not scale ECS tasks.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DVA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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 →
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.