- A
Use an io2 Block Express EBS volume for the highest sustained IOPS and low-latency performance.
io2 Block Express is designed for demanding block-storage workloads that need very high, consistent IOPS with low latency. It is a strong fit when the data must remain on attached EBS storage rather than on ephemeral instance store.
- B
Stripe multiple EBS volumes together with RAID 0 to increase aggregate IOPS and throughput.
RAID 0 across EBS volumes is a standard way to scale performance when a single volume cannot meet the required IOPS or throughput. It improves aggregate performance, but the application must tolerate the fact that RAID 0 increases the failure domain.
- C
Use an S3 bucket as the backing store because object storage scales automatically.
Why wrong: S3 is object storage, not block storage. It does not provide the low-latency random write behavior required by a database cache or similar block-based workload.
- D
Choose a cold HDD-based volume so the cache has durable low-cost storage.
Why wrong: Cold HDD volumes are optimized for low cost, not for high IOPS or latency-sensitive random access. They are a poor fit for a cache or database-like workload.
- E
Use the root volume from a T-series instance because burst credits can absorb the write spikes.
Why wrong: Burst credits do not provide the sustained, predictable IOPS needed for a latency-sensitive cache. T-series instances are designed for short CPU bursts, not for high-performance storage workloads.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to stripe multiple io2 Block Express EBS volumes together with RAID 0 to achieve the required high IOPS and low latency. This design works because RAID 0 aggregates the performance of individual volumes, allowing you to scale aggregate IOPS and throughput linearly—critical for a low-latency database cache writing a large random working set. io2 Block Express volumes already deliver up to 256,000 IOPS per volume with sub-millisecond latency, but striping them multiplies that ceiling, meeting sustained demands while keeping storage attached to the EC2 instance. On the SAA-C03 exam, this tests your understanding of EBS performance limits and RAID configurations; a common trap is choosing RAID 1 for redundancy, but that halves write performance and is unnecessary here since the cache can tolerate volume failure. Remember the tip: for raw speed, stripe it—RAID 0 is for IOPS, RAID 1 is for mirrors.
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 single EC2 instance hosts a low-latency database cache that writes a large random working set to block storage. The application needs sustained high IOPS and low latency, and the storage must remain attached to the instance while it runs. Which two design choices best meet the requirement? Select two.
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
Use an io2 Block Express EBS volume for the highest sustained IOPS and low-latency performance.
Option A is correct because io2 Block Express EBS volumes are designed for mission-critical workloads requiring sustained high IOPS and low latency. They offer up to 256,000 IOPS per volume with sub-millisecond latency, making them ideal for a low-latency database cache that writes a large random working set to block storage. The storage remains attached to the EC2 instance while it runs, meeting the requirement for persistent block-level storage.
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.
- ✓
Use an io2 Block Express EBS volume for the highest sustained IOPS and low-latency performance.
Why this is correct
io2 Block Express is designed for demanding block-storage workloads that need very high, consistent IOPS with low latency. It is a strong fit when the data must remain on attached EBS storage rather than on ephemeral instance store.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Stripe multiple EBS volumes together with RAID 0 to increase aggregate IOPS and throughput.
Why this is correct
RAID 0 across EBS volumes is a standard way to scale performance when a single volume cannot meet the required IOPS or throughput. It improves aggregate performance, but the application must tolerate the fact that RAID 0 increases the failure domain.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use an S3 bucket as the backing store because object storage scales automatically.
Why it's wrong here
S3 is object storage, not block storage. It does not provide the low-latency random write behavior required by a database cache or similar block-based workload.
- ✗
Choose a cold HDD-based volume so the cache has durable low-cost storage.
Why it's wrong here
Cold HDD volumes are optimized for low cost, not for high IOPS or latency-sensitive random access. They are a poor fit for a cache or database-like workload.
- ✗
Use the root volume from a T-series instance because burst credits can absorb the write spikes.
Why it's wrong here
Burst credits do not provide the sustained, predictable IOPS needed for a latency-sensitive cache. T-series instances are designed for short CPU bursts, not for high-performance storage workloads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse burst credits (which apply to CPU performance on T-series instances) with storage performance, or assume that object storage like S3 can serve as a low-latency block device, when in fact only EBS volumes provide the required persistent, low-latency block storage attached to an EC2 instance.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
S3 is object storage, not block storage. It does not provide the low-latency random write behavior required by a database cache or similar block-based workload.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
io2 Block Express volumes use a Nitro-based architecture with a dedicated NVMe interface, enabling up to 256,000 IOPS and 4,000 MB/s throughput per volume at 99.999% durability. Stripping multiple EBS volumes with RAID 0 (Option B) aggregates IOPS and throughput linearly, but it increases the risk of data loss if any volume fails; for a cache that can tolerate data loss, this is acceptable. The combination of io2 Block Express for single-volume performance and RAID 0 for further scaling provides a robust solution for sustained high IOPS and low latency.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
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: Use an io2 Block Express EBS volume for the highest sustained IOPS and low-latency performance. — Option A is correct because io2 Block Express EBS volumes are designed for mission-critical workloads requiring sustained high IOPS and low latency. They offer up to 256,000 IOPS per volume with sub-millisecond latency, making them ideal for a low-latency database cache that writes a large random working set to block storage. The storage remains attached to the EC2 instance while it runs, meeting the requirement for persistent block-level storage.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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