The answer is Amazon S3 as the target endpoint for AWS DMS. This combination is correct because AWS DMS supports ongoing change data capture from a MySQL source, continuously replicating inserts, updates, and deletes to S3 with low latency, making it ideal for real-time analytics pipelines. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Specialty MLS-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of streaming ingestion patterns versus batch processing—a common trap is choosing Glue ETL for CDC, but Glue is batch-oriented and not designed for continuous low-latency capture. Another trap is overcomplicating the pipeline by adding Kinesis Data Streams when DMS can write directly to S3. Remember the memory tip: "DMS to S3 for CDC—no middleman needed."
MLS-C01 Data Engineering Practice Question
This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of data engineering. 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 data engineer needs to design a data ingestion pipeline that ingests data from a MySQL database hosted on-premises into Amazon S3 for analytics. The pipeline must capture change data (CDC) and run continuously with low latency. Which two services should the data engineer use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Option A and D are correct. AWS DMS can capture ongoing changes from MySQL using CDC and replicate them to S3. Option B (Kinesis Data Streams) can receive CDC data from DMS but is not directly needed if DMS writes to S3. Option C (Glue ETL) is batch-oriented. Option E (AppFlow) is for SaaS applications, not for on-premises databases.
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.
✓
AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication.
Why this is correct
DMS supports CDC and can write changes to S3 continuously.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Amazon S3 as the target endpoint for DMS.
Why this is correct
DMS can write directly to S3 in various formats.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Amazon AppFlow.
Why it's wrong here
AppFlow is for SaaS applications, not for on-premises MySQL.
✗
AWS Glue ETL jobs scheduled at regular intervals.
Why it's wrong here
Glue is batch-oriented and not suitable for low-latency CDC.
✗
Amazon Kinesis Data Streams.
Why it's wrong here
Kinesis is not required if DMS writes directly to S3, though it could be used as an intermediate.
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 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.
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.
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: AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) with ongoing replication. — Option A and D are correct. AWS DMS can capture ongoing changes from MySQL using CDC and replicate them to S3. Option B (Kinesis Data Streams) can receive CDC data from DMS but is not directly needed if DMS writes to S3. Option C (Glue ETL) is batch-oriented. Option E (AppFlow) is for SaaS applications, not for on-premises databases.
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.
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 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.
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.