Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A startup has a stable production web service that runs continuously (24/7) on AWS. They have consistent compute requirements for the next 1 year, but the instance size and family might change as they optimize performance. To reduce cost while maintaining flexibility across instance types, which purchasing option should they consider?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Compute Savings Plans
Compute Savings Plans discount compute usage while allowing flexibility across instance families, sizes, and even some services.
B
Distractor review
Reserved Instances with a fixed instance type
Fixed instance-type Reserved Instances can limit flexibility if the team needs to change instance families.
C
Distractor review
Spot Instances
Spot is interruption-capable and may not be appropriate for always-on production without added complexity.
D
Distractor review
On-Demand Instances
On-Demand provides maximum flexibility but generally lacks the savings of commitment-based plans.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A team needs to distribute TCP traffic (not HTTP) across multiple services. The services must see the original client source IP for auditing. Which AWS load balancer is the best fit?
Question 2
A team wants to run containerized services with AWS-managed orchestration and autoscaling. They do NOT require Kubernetes compatibility. Which AWS service choice is most appropriate to meet these goals?
Question 3
A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a IoT ingestion API. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure? The design must avoid adding custom operational scripts.
Question 4
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Question 5
A team wants to delegate IAM management to developers, but must ensure developers can never grant themselves permissions beyond a specific limit. Which AWS mechanism best matches this requirement?
Question 6
A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a healthcare document service. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAA-C03 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Compute Savings Plans — Compute Savings Plans are designed to provide discounted compute in exchange for a consistent usage commitment while allowing flexibility to change instance families and sizes. Since the service runs 24/7 for the next year, a commitment-based option makes sense for cost optimization. Reserved Instances can also be discounted, but they are typically more constrained to specific instance types (depending on the RI type), which conflicts with the stated need to remain flexible during optimization. Spot is not aligned because it can interrupt. Why others are wrong: On-Demand is flexible but usually more expensive than discounted commitment models. Spot Instances are optimized for interruptible workloads, not for always-on services where interruptions would require operational safeguards. Reserved Instances may reduce cost, but they can restrict changes to the instance family, which reduces the flexibility the team specifically needs. Compute Savings Plans best match continuous usage plus the ability to adjust instance types over time.
What should I do if I get this SAA-C03 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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