The answer is that the training job failed because the training data size exceeds the available EBS volume size. When SageMaker provisions a training instance, it attaches a default EBS volume for storing input data, intermediate artifacts, and model checkpoints; if the dataset or generated scratch files surpass this capacity, the job logs a “no usable scratch space” error and may attempt a retry with local SSD, which also fails if that storage is absent or insufficient. On the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer Associate MLA-C01 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SageMaker’s storage hierarchy and the common pitfall of underestimating EBS volume requirements for large-scale training jobs. A frequent trap is assuming the instance’s local SSD will always be available, but many instance types lack it, leaving the EBS volume as the sole bottleneck. Memory tip: “EBS full, job null”—if your data exceeds the default 20 GB, you must increase the VolumeSizeInGB parameter in the estimator.
MLA-C01 ML Model Development Practice Question
This MLA-C01 practice question tests your understanding of ml model development. 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.
Exhibit
[2024-01-15 10:30:45] Training job 'my-training-job' started.
[2024-01-15 10:31:10] Using algorithm 'built-in' with hyperparameters: {'epochs': 10, 'batch-size': 32, 'learning-rate': 0.001}
[2024-01-15 10:31:15] File system creation failed: No usable scratch space. Error: Input/output error.
[2024-01-15 10:31:15] Retrying with local SSD...
[2024-01-15 10:31:20] Training completed with status 'Failed'.
Refer to the exhibit. The training job failed. What is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
[2024-01-15 10:30:45] Training job 'my-training-job' started.
[2024-01-15 10:31:10] Using algorithm 'built-in' with hyperparameters: {'epochs': 10, 'batch-size': 32, 'learning-rate': 0.001}
[2024-01-15 10:31:15] File system creation failed: No usable scratch space. Error: Input/output error.
[2024-01-15 10:31:15] Retrying with local SSD...
[2024-01-15 10:31:20] Training completed with status 'Failed'.
A
The learning rate is too high
Why wrong: Learning rate would not cause a file system error.
B
The instance type does not have SSD storage
Why wrong: The log says 'Retrying with local SSD...', implying the instance may have SSD, but it still failed.
C
The instance type does not have enough memory
Why wrong: Memory issues would typically cause out-of-memory errors, not scratch space errors.
D
The training data size exceeds the available EBS volume size
The error 'No usable scratch space' indicates disk space exhaustion on the EBS volume.
E
The number of epochs is too low
Why wrong: Epoch number would not cause a scratch space error.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The training data size exceeds the available EBS volume size
The log indicates no usable scratch space, meaning the default EBS volume is full. The retry with local SSD suggests that the instance might not have local SSD, or it also fails. The most likely cause is that the training data or intermediate files exceed the available EBS volume size.
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.
✗
The learning rate is too high
Why it's wrong here
Learning rate would not cause a file system error.
✗
The instance type does not have SSD storage
Why it's wrong here
The log says 'Retrying with local SSD...', implying the instance may have SSD, but it still failed.
✗
The instance type does not have enough memory
Why it's wrong here
Memory issues would typically cause out-of-memory errors, not scratch space errors.
✓
The training data size exceeds the available EBS volume size
Why this is correct
The error 'No usable scratch space' indicates disk space exhaustion on the EBS volume.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The number of epochs is too low
Why it's wrong here
Epoch number would not cause a scratch space error.
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 MLA-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.
ML Model Development — This question tests ML Model Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The training data size exceeds the available EBS volume size — The log indicates no usable scratch space, meaning the default EBS volume is full. The retry with local SSD suggests that the instance might not have local SSD, or it also fails. The most likely cause is that the training data or intermediate files exceed the available EBS volume size.
What should I do if I get this MLA-C01 question wrong?
Identify which MLA-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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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