This MLS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of modeling. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. A data scientist is assigned an IAM policy to deploy a SageMaker model. When the scientist tries to create an endpoint, the action fails with an authorization error. What is the missing permission?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
iam:PassRole
The policy allows creating training jobs, models, endpoint configs, and endpoints, but does not allow invoking the endpoint for inference. The error is for creating the endpoint, which requires `sagemaker:CreateEndpoint` which is present. However, the error might be due to missing `sagemaker:InvokeEndpoint` which is needed for testing? Actually the question says creating the endpoint fails, so maybe the policy lacks `sagemaker:CreateEndpointConfig`? But that is present. Possibly the missing permission is `sagemaker:ListTags`? No. The most common missing permission is `sagemaker:DescribeEndpoint`? But the error is authorization error, likely missing `sagemaker:CreateEndpoint`? Wait, it is present. Perhaps the policy needs `iam:PassRole` to pass a role to SageMaker. Yes, SageMaker requires `iam:PassRole` to allow the service to assume a role. So the missing permission is `iam:PassRole`. Option D is correct. Option A: `sagemaker:InvokeEndpoint` is for inference, not creation. Option B: `sagemaker:UpdateEndpoint` is for updating. Option C: `sagemaker:ListEndpoints` is for listing.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
iam:PassRole
Why this is correct
SageMaker needs iam:PassRole to assume a role for creating endpoints.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
sagemaker:ListEndpoints
Why it's wrong here
ListEndpoints is for listing.
✗
sagemaker:InvokeEndpoint
Why it's wrong here
InvokeEndpoint is for inference, not creation.
✗
sagemaker:UpdateEndpoint
Why it's wrong here
UpdateEndpoint is for updating endpoints.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related MLS-C01 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Modeling — This question tests Modeling — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: iam:PassRole — The policy allows creating training jobs, models, endpoint configs, and endpoints, but does not allow invoking the endpoint for inference. The error is for creating the endpoint, which requires `sagemaker:CreateEndpoint` which is present. However, the error might be due to missing `sagemaker:InvokeEndpoint` which is needed for testing? Actually the question says creating the endpoint fails, so maybe the policy lacks `sagemaker:CreateEndpointConfig`? But that is present. Possibly the missing permission is `sagemaker:ListTags`? No. The most common missing permission is `sagemaker:DescribeEndpoint`? But the error is authorization error, likely missing `sagemaker:CreateEndpoint`? Wait, it is present. Perhaps the policy needs `iam:PassRole` to pass a role to SageMaker. Yes, SageMaker requires `iam:PassRole` to allow the service to assume a role. So the missing permission is `iam:PassRole`. Option D is correct. Option A: `sagemaker:InvokeEndpoint` is for inference, not creation. Option B: `sagemaker:UpdateEndpoint` is for updating. Option C: `sagemaker:ListEndpoints` is for listing.
What should I do if I get this MLS-C01 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related MLS-C01 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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.