- A
Use Amazon FSx for Lustre as a high-performance file system linked to the S3 bucket, and mount it on the training instances.
Why wrong: FSx for Lustre is not integrated with SageMaker as a native input mode.
- B
Use SageMaker File mode with Amazon EFS, which allows multiple training instances to share the same file system and caches data from S3.
File mode with EFS enables caching and sharing, reducing repeated S3 downloads.
- C
Increase the size of the EBS volumes attached to the training instances and copy the entire dataset to the volumes before training.
Why wrong: This approach does not share cache across instances and increases provisioning time.
- D
Use SageMaker Pipe mode to stream data from S3 directly to the training algorithm, which automatically caches data in memory.
Why wrong: Pipe mode does not cache data; it streams and discards.
Quick Answer
The correct approach is to use SageMaker File mode with Amazon EFS, which allows multiple training instances to share the same file system and caches data from S3. This works because EFS provides a persistent, shared network file system that can be mounted across EC2 training instances, enabling the team to cache frequently accessed data locally and avoid repeatedly downloading the 5 TB dataset from S3 for each training job. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, this question tests your understanding of data loading strategies in SageMaker, specifically the trade-offs between Pipe mode (streaming, no caching) and File mode (cached, shared storage). A common trap is choosing FSx for Lustre, which is optimized for high-performance computing but not natively integrated with SageMaker’s caching workflow, or EBS volumes, which are instance-attached and cannot be shared across jobs. Memory tip: think “File mode + EFS = shared cache for repeated training,” contrasting with Pipe mode’s “stream and discard” behavior.
MLS-C01 Data Engineering Practice Question
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data engineering. 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 machine learning team is using Amazon SageMaker to train models on a large dataset stored in Amazon S3. The dataset is 5 TB in size and is partitioned by date. The team wants to minimize data transfer costs and reduce training time by caching frequently accessed data locally on the training instances. The training instances are EC2 instances with attached Amazon EBS volumes. The team is considering using SageMaker Pipe mode to stream data directly from S3, but they are concerned about network bandwidth. Which approach should the team use to optimize data loading for training?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Use SageMaker File mode with Amazon EFS, which allows multiple training instances to share the same file system and caches data from S3.
Option D is correct because Amazon SageMaker File mode with Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) provides a shared file system that can cache data across training jobs, reducing the need to repeatedly download from S3. Option A is incorrect because FSx for Lustre is optimized for high-performance computing but not specifically for SageMaker training. Option B is incorrect because SageMaker Pipe mode streams data but does not cache. Option C is incorrect because EBS volumes are attached per instance and cannot be shared across jobs for caching.
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.
- ✗
Use Amazon FSx for Lustre as a high-performance file system linked to the S3 bucket, and mount it on the training instances.
Why it's wrong here
FSx for Lustre is not integrated with SageMaker as a native input mode.
- ✓
Use SageMaker File mode with Amazon EFS, which allows multiple training instances to share the same file system and caches data from S3.
Why this is correct
File mode with EFS enables caching and sharing, reducing repeated S3 downloads.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the size of the EBS volumes attached to the training instances and copy the entire dataset to the volumes before training.
Why it's wrong here
This approach does not share cache across instances and increases provisioning time.
- ✗
Use SageMaker Pipe mode to stream data from S3 directly to the training algorithm, which automatically caches data in memory.
Why it's wrong here
Pipe mode does not cache data; it streams and discards.
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 MLS-C01 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.
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Data Engineering — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MLS-C01 question test?
Data Engineering — This question tests Data Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use SageMaker File mode with Amazon EFS, which allows multiple training instances to share the same file system and caches data from S3. — Option D is correct because Amazon SageMaker File mode with Amazon Elastic File System (EFS) provides a shared file system that can cache data across training jobs, reducing the need to repeatedly download from S3. Option A is incorrect because FSx for Lustre is optimized for high-performance computing but not specifically for SageMaker training. Option B is incorrect because SageMaker Pipe mode streams data but does not cache. Option C is incorrect because EBS volumes are attached per instance and cannot be shared across jobs for caching.
What should I do if I get this MLS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which MLS-C01 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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 MLS-C01 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 MLS-C01 exam.
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