- A
Set the Lambda function's retry policy to Maximum retries: 3 and configure a DLQ on the Lambda function.
Why wrong: Lambda function retry policy is for async invocations, not SQS.
- B
Set the Lambda function's DLQ to an SQS queue and configure the event source mapping to use that DLQ after 3 retries.
Why wrong: Lambda function DLQ is for async invocations, not SQS event source.
- C
Configure the SQS queue's redrive policy with maxReceiveCount: 3 and a dead-letter queue.
SQS redrive policy handles retries and DLQ for messages that fail processing.
- D
Create an AWS Step Functions workflow that polls the SQS queue, processes messages, and retries failures up to 3 times before moving to a DLQ.
Why wrong: Step Functions add unnecessary complexity for simple retry logic.
Quick Answer
The correct configuration is to set the SQS queue's redrive policy with a maxReceiveCount of 3 and a dead-letter queue. This works because the SQS redrive policy directly controls how many times a message can be received before being moved to the dead-letter queue, and Lambda’s event source mapping automatically retries failed processing attempts, incrementing the receive count each time. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of how SQS and Lambda interact at the queue level, not the function level—a common trap is confusing Lambda’s asynchronous invocation retry policy (which uses a function-level DLQ) with SQS’s built-in redrive mechanism. Remember: for SQS-triggered Lambda, the retry logic lives on the queue, not the function. Memory tip: “Queue controls retries; function controls async only.”
DOP-C02 Resilient Cloud Solutions Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of resilient cloud solutions. 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 company has a serverless application using AWS Lambda functions that process messages from an Amazon SQS queue. The Lambda function sometimes fails due to transient errors. The company wants to ensure that failed messages are retried and eventually processed or sent to a dead-letter queue after 3 retries. What is the correct configuration?
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 the SQS queue's redrive policy with maxReceiveCount: 3 and a dead-letter queue.
Option B is correct because the SQS queue's redrive policy specifies the max receive count and dead-letter queue, and Lambda's event source mapping handles retries. Option A is wrong because Lambda's retry policy with max retries=3 is for asynchronous invocations, not SQS. Option C is wrong because Step Functions add unnecessary complexity. Option D is wrong because DLQ on Lambda function is for async invocations, not SQS.
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.
- ✗
Set the Lambda function's retry policy to Maximum retries: 3 and configure a DLQ on the Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda function retry policy is for async invocations, not SQS.
- ✗
Set the Lambda function's DLQ to an SQS queue and configure the event source mapping to use that DLQ after 3 retries.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda function DLQ is for async invocations, not SQS event source.
- ✓
Configure the SQS queue's redrive policy with maxReceiveCount: 3 and a dead-letter queue.
Why this is correct
SQS redrive policy handles retries and DLQ for messages that fail processing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create an AWS Step Functions workflow that polls the SQS queue, processes messages, and retries failures up to 3 times before moving to a DLQ.
Why it's wrong here
Step Functions add unnecessary complexity for simple retry logic.
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 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 DOP-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.
- →
Resilient Cloud Solutions — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Resilient Cloud Solutions practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All DOP-C02 questions
1,740 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
DOP-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related DOP-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Configuration Management and IaC practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Configuration Management and IaC.
Resilient Cloud Solutions practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Resilient Cloud Solutions.
Monitoring and Logging practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Monitoring and Logging.
Incident and Event Response practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Incident and Event Response.
Security and Compliance practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
SDLC Automation practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to SDLC Automation.
DOP-C02 fundamentals practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 fundamentals.
DOP-C02 scenario practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 scenario.
DOP-C02 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise DOP-C02 questions linked to DOP-C02 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free DOP-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Resilient Cloud Solutions — This question tests Resilient Cloud Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the SQS queue's redrive policy with maxReceiveCount: 3 and a dead-letter queue. — Option B is correct because the SQS queue's redrive policy specifies the max receive count and dead-letter queue, and Lambda's event source mapping handles retries. Option A is wrong because Lambda's retry policy with max retries=3 is for asynchronous invocations, not SQS. Option C is wrong because Step Functions add unnecessary complexity. Option D is wrong because DLQ on Lambda function is for async invocations, not SQS.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This DOP-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 DOP-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.