- A
Use DynamoDB with a single partition key and avoid indexes to keep writes simple.
Why wrong: DynamoDB is great for key-value and document patterns, but complex joins/aggregations require redesign. Avoiding indexes would likely hurt query flexibility and performance. This option conflicts with the relational query requirement.
- B
Add read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster and keep the primary for writes.
Read replicas offload read operations from the primary database instance, improving read throughput and reducing contention with writes. RDS/Aurora preserve relational capabilities like joins and SQL queries. This is a common and practical way to scale performance for read-heavy workloads without completely changing the data model.
- C
Store the data in S3 and query it directly from the application without a database.
Why wrong: S3 is object storage and is not designed for low-latency relational query workloads. Querying directly would be slow and operationally complex. Complex joins/aggregations would not be straightforward.
- D
Switch the database to DynamoDB but keep using the same relational SQL queries and joins.
Why wrong: DynamoDB does not support SQL joins in the same way relational databases do. Moving to DynamoDB generally requires a query-pattern redesign with keys and indexes. Keeping the same query approach would not work as intended.
SAA-C03 Design High-Performing Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design high-performing architectures. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: rDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.. 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 customer-facing application has a relational data model and needs frequent complex queries (joins and aggregations), but it also experiences a significant read-heavy workload. Which design choice best improves read performance while keeping relational features?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Add read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster and keep the primary for writes.
Adding read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster offloads read traffic from the primary instance, improving read performance for complex queries (joins and aggregations) while preserving the relational data model. Aurora automatically scales read replicas and uses a shared storage volume, making this highly efficient for read-heavy workloads.
Key principle: RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.
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 DynamoDB with a single partition key and avoid indexes to keep writes simple.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is great for key-value and document patterns, but complex joins/aggregations require redesign. Avoiding indexes would likely hurt query flexibility and performance. This option conflicts with the relational query requirement.
- ✓
Add read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster and keep the primary for writes.
Why this is correct
Read replicas offload read operations from the primary database instance, improving read throughput and reducing contention with writes. RDS/Aurora preserve relational capabilities like joins and SQL queries. This is a common and practical way to scale performance for read-heavy workloads without completely changing the data model.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.
- ✗
Store the data in S3 and query it directly from the application without a database.
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage and is not designed for low-latency relational query workloads. Querying directly would be slow and operationally complex. Complex joins/aggregations would not be straightforward.
- ✗
Switch the database to DynamoDB but keep using the same relational SQL queries and joins.
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB does not support SQL joins in the same way relational databases do. Moving to DynamoDB generally requires a query-pattern redesign with keys and indexes. Keeping the same query approach would not work as intended.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume NoSQL databases like DynamoDB can handle relational queries if they simply 'switch' the database, ignoring that DynamoDB lacks native support for joins and complex aggregations, which are core to the relational data model described in the question.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Amazon Aurora read replicas share the same underlying storage volume as the primary, so replication lag is minimal (typically <100ms) and no additional storage cost is incurred. The read replicas can also be promoted to a primary in a failover scenario, providing high availability. For read-heavy workloads, distributing queries across multiple replicas can dramatically reduce latency and increase throughput without altering the relational schema.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.
- Read replicas improve read throughput and reduce contention on the primary.
- They maintain the relational data model and support standard SQL queries, joins, and aggregations.
- Data is asynchronously replicated from the primary to the read replicas.
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
RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.
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 High-Performing Architectures — This question tests Design High-Performing Architectures — RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster and keep the primary for writes. — Adding read replicas to an RDS or Aurora cluster offloads read traffic from the primary instance, improving read performance for complex queries (joins and aggregations) while preserving the relational data model. Aurora automatically scales read replicas and uses a shared storage volume, making this highly efficient for read-heavy workloads.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Review rDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
RDS/Aurora read replicas offload read traffic from the primary database instance.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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