- A
Replace the database with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL.
Amazon RDS handles routine database operations such as backups, patching, and maintenance windows, which reduces administrative overhead. It is the managed-service replacement for a self-managed PostgreSQL database.
- B
Replace the broker with Amazon MQ for RabbitMQ.
Amazon MQ provides a managed broker that supports RabbitMQ-compatible messaging, so the team can reduce broker administration without redesigning the messaging model from scratch. This directly addresses patching, cluster management, and broker maintenance.
- C
Store attachments in Amazon S3 instead of the shared file server.
S3 replaces the self-managed file server with a fully managed object store that scales without server administration. It is a common, lower-ops choice for application attachments and reduces the need to patch or capacity-plan file infrastructure.
- D
Keep the database on EC2 and add more EBS volumes.
Why wrong: This keeps the database self-managed, so the team still owns patching, backups, and instance administration. More EBS volumes may expand storage, but they do not eliminate the operational burden.
- E
Move RabbitMQ to Dedicated Hosts for better isolation.
Why wrong: Dedicated Hosts address tenancy or licensing requirements, not operational simplification. They do not provide a managed broker and would not reduce the need to administer RabbitMQ itself.
SAA-C03 Design Cost-Optimized Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design cost-optimized architectures. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 runs an order system on EC2 with a self-managed PostgreSQL database, a self-managed RabbitMQ broker, and a shared file server for attachments. The team wants to reduce patching, backups, and cluster administration while keeping the architecture simple and using managed services where possible. Which three changes should they make? Select three.
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
Replace the database with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL.
Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL is a managed database service that automates patching, backups, and replication, eliminating the need for self-managing PostgreSQL on EC2. This directly reduces the operational overhead of cluster administration and aligns with the goal of using managed services.
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.
- ✓
Replace the database with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL.
Why this is correct
Amazon RDS handles routine database operations such as backups, patching, and maintenance windows, which reduces administrative overhead. It is the managed-service replacement for a self-managed PostgreSQL database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Replace the broker with Amazon MQ for RabbitMQ.
Why this is correct
Amazon MQ provides a managed broker that supports RabbitMQ-compatible messaging, so the team can reduce broker administration without redesigning the messaging model from scratch. This directly addresses patching, cluster management, and broker maintenance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Store attachments in Amazon S3 instead of the shared file server.
Why this is correct
S3 replaces the self-managed file server with a fully managed object store that scales without server administration. It is a common, lower-ops choice for application attachments and reduces the need to patch or capacity-plan file infrastructure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Keep the database on EC2 and add more EBS volumes.
Why it's wrong here
This keeps the database self-managed, so the team still owns patching, backups, and instance administration. More EBS volumes may expand storage, but they do not eliminate the operational burden.
- ✗
Move RabbitMQ to Dedicated Hosts for better isolation.
Why it's wrong here
Dedicated Hosts address tenancy or licensing requirements, not operational simplification. They do not provide a managed broker and would not reduce the need to administer RabbitMQ itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think adding more EBS volumes or using Dedicated Hosts reduces administrative overhead, but these options actually increase complexity or cost without moving to a managed service, which is the core requirement of the question.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL handles automated backups with point-in-time recovery (PITR) up to 35 days, minor version patching during maintenance windows, and Multi-AZ failover for high availability. Amazon MQ for RabbitMQ provides a managed broker with automatic patching, built-in replication, and integration with Amazon CloudWatch for monitoring, while Amazon S3 offers 99.999999999% durability and lifecycle policies to manage attachment retention automatically.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAA-C03 question test?
Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — This question tests Design Cost-Optimized Architectures — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Replace the database with Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL. — Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL is a managed database service that automates patching, backups, and replication, eliminating the need for self-managing PostgreSQL on EC2. This directly reduces the operational overhead of cluster administration and aligns with the goal of using managed services.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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