The answer is to add a test stage that uses an AWS CodeBuild project configured to run unit tests. This is correct because CodePipeline allows you to insert a test stage between the source and deploy stages, and CodeBuild can execute any commands defined in a buildspec.yml file, including unit test runners. By placing CodeBuild here, the pipeline automatically runs tests on code pulled from CodeCommit before it ever reaches the Elastic Beanstalk deploy stage, ensuring only passing code is deployed. On the AWS Certified Developer Associate DVA-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of pipeline stage sequencing and the role of CodeBuild as a flexible test runner, not just a build tool. A common trap is thinking you need a separate Lambda function or a manual approval step, but CodeBuild is the native, integrated service for this task. Memory tip: think "Test before Deploy" — CodeBuild is the gatekeeper that validates your code before Elastic Beanstalk hosts it.
DVA-C02 Deployment Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 using AWS CodePipeline to deploy a web application. The pipeline has a source stage that pulls from CodeCommit and a deploy stage that uses AWS Elastic Beanstalk. The developer wants to run unit tests automatically before deploying to Elastic Beanstalk. Which action should the developer add to the pipeline?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a test stage that uses an AWS CodeBuild project configured to run unit tests
Option A is correct because AWS CodeBuild can be integrated as a test stage in CodePipeline to run unit tests automatically. By adding a CodeBuild project configured with a buildspec.yml file that executes unit tests, the pipeline will run tests after the source stage and before the deploy stage, ensuring only code that passes tests is deployed to Elastic Beanstalk.
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.
✓
Add a test stage that uses an AWS CodeBuild project configured to run unit tests
Why this is correct
Correct. CodeBuild can execute tests as part of the pipeline before deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Add a manual approval step before the deploy stage
Why it's wrong here
A manual approval step only requires a person to approve; it does not execute tests.
✗
Configure Elastic Beanstalk health checks to run tests
Why it's wrong here
Elastic Beanstalk health checks monitor the application after deployment, they do not run tests.
✗
Replace Elastic Beanstalk with AWS CodeDeploy
Why it's wrong here
Changing the deployment service does not add testing capability to the pipeline.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse health checks (which monitor runtime health) with unit tests (which validate code logic), or think a manual approval step can substitute for automated testing, but AWS specifically tests the understanding that CodeBuild is the service designed for running custom build and test commands in a pipeline.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, CodePipeline invokes CodeBuild via an action configuration that specifies the project name and optional environment variables. The buildspec.yml file can include phases like 'pre_build' for dependency installation and 'build' for running test commands (e.g., 'npm test' or 'mvn test'). If tests fail (non-zero exit code), CodeBuild marks the action as failed, and CodePipeline stops the execution, preventing deployment of broken code. This is a common pattern in CI/CD pipelines to enforce quality gates.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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: Add a test stage that uses an AWS CodeBuild project configured to run unit tests — Option A is correct because AWS CodeBuild can be integrated as a test stage in CodePipeline to run unit tests automatically. By adding a CodeBuild project configured with a buildspec.yml file that executes unit tests, the pipeline will run tests after the source stage and before the deploy stage, ensuring only code that passes tests is deployed to Elastic Beanstalk.
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.
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.