- A
Create Aurora read replicas and direct reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint.
Read replicas offload read workloads from the writer. Using the reader endpoint lets reporting queries use replicas, improving write responsiveness.
- B
Resize the writer instance to a larger class so it can handle both writes and reads with fewer slowdowns.
Why wrong: Scaling the writer can reduce contention, but it doesn’t separate read traffic and can increase cost and still keep mixed workloads on the writer.
- C
Enable cross-region replication for the entire cluster so reporting always runs in the secondary Region.
Why wrong: Cross-region replication is useful for disaster recovery or geographic reads, but it adds complexity and may not address local business-hour contention efficiently.
- D
Disable read replicas and use caching only in the application layer, keeping all queries connected to the writer endpoint.
Why wrong: Application caching might help repeated reads, but it doesn’t prevent all reporting queries from competing with writer resources when cache misses occur.
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. 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 production application writes to an Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL cluster. Users report that during business-hour reporting runs, write latency increases. The application team wants to keep the writer focused on OLTP writes while still providing low-latency reads for reporting queries. What architectural approach should the solutions architect recommend?
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
Create Aurora read replicas and direct reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint.
A is correct because creating Aurora read replicas and directing reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint offloads read traffic from the writer instance. This allows the writer to focus on OLTP writes, while the reader endpoint load-balances read-only queries across replicas, providing low-latency reads for reporting without impacting write performance.
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.
- ✓
Create Aurora read replicas and direct reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint.
Why this is correct
Read replicas offload read workloads from the writer. Using the reader endpoint lets reporting queries use replicas, improving write responsiveness.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resize the writer instance to a larger class so it can handle both writes and reads with fewer slowdowns.
Why it's wrong here
Scaling the writer can reduce contention, but it doesn’t separate read traffic and can increase cost and still keep mixed workloads on the writer.
- ✗
Enable cross-region replication for the entire cluster so reporting always runs in the secondary Region.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-region replication is useful for disaster recovery or geographic reads, but it adds complexity and may not address local business-hour contention efficiently.
- ✗
Disable read replicas and use caching only in the application layer, keeping all queries connected to the writer endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
Application caching might help repeated reads, but it doesn’t prevent all reporting queries from competing with writer resources when cache misses occur.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think resizing the writer instance (Option B) is sufficient, but the exam tests the architectural principle of separating read and write workloads to avoid resource contention, not just scaling vertically.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Aurora read replicas share the same underlying storage volume as the writer, so replication lag is typically very low (often under 100 ms). The reader endpoint uses DNS round-robin to distribute connections across all available replicas, but for sticky sessions, applications should use the individual instance endpoint. In real-world scenarios, reporting queries that scan large datasets can saturate the writer's I/O if not offloaded, making read replicas essential for maintaining OLTP performance.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create Aurora read replicas and direct reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint. — A is correct because creating Aurora read replicas and directing reporting read-only connections to the cluster reader endpoint offloads read traffic from the writer instance. This allows the writer to focus on OLTP writes, while the reader endpoint load-balances read-only queries across replicas, providing low-latency reads for reporting without impacting write performance.
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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