- A
Keep the Authorization header but increase the cache TTL to 1 year to reduce revalidation frequency.
Why wrong: If Authorization values differ per user or session and Authorization is included in the cache key, the cache can still be fragmented into many unique cache entries. A larger TTL does not improve the hit ratio caused by cache key variability.
- B
Update the CloudFront cache policy so that Authorization is excluded from the cache key for static asset paths.
When Authorization is part of the cache key, each unique token can create separate cache entries, lowering the cache hit ratio and increasing origin requests. Excluding Authorization from the cache key (and typically from the origin request policy for static assets) allows caching to be based on the URL path/query string, improving hit ratio and reducing S3 origin load.
- C
Remove CloudFront and serve assets directly from the S3 website endpoint to reduce CloudFront charges.
Why wrong: By removing CloudFront, requests would reach S3 more directly, typically increasing latency and often increasing total cost for high-traffic workloads due to loss of edge caching.
- D
Switch the S3 origin from private access to public access so CloudFront can cache assets more effectively.
Why wrong: Origin access settings affect security (for example, OAC/OAI), not whether Authorization headers fragment the CloudFront cache key. Caching behavior should be corrected at the cache policy/origin request policy layer.
Quick Answer
The answer is to update the CloudFront cache policy so that the Authorization header is excluded from the cache key for static asset paths. This is correct because when the Authorization header is included in requests for static assets like JavaScript or CSS, CloudFront treats each request as unique—even if the asset file is identical—since the header value varies per user or session. This forces every request to bypass the edge cache and hit the S3 origin, drastically dropping the cache hit ratio and increasing costs. On the SAA-C03 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how CloudFront cache keys and origin request policies interact, often appearing as a trap where you might mistakenly think you need to invalidate the cache or change the origin. A common memory tip is: “For static assets, strip the auth—keep the cache, cut the cost.”
SAA-C03 Design Cost-Optimized Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design cost-optimized architectures. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 static web application uses CloudFront with an S3 origin for assets (JavaScript, CSS, images). After deploying a new frontend build, the CloudFront cache hit ratio dropped significantly because the S3 origin receives many repeated requests for the same assets. The team notices that requests now include the Authorization header in asset requests. Which change is most likely to restore cache efficiency and reduce origin request costs?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
Update the CloudFront cache policy so that Authorization is excluded from the cache key for static asset paths.
The drop in cache hit ratio is caused by the Authorization header being included in asset requests, which makes each request unique from CloudFront's perspective, preventing cache reuse. By updating the CloudFront cache policy to exclude the Authorization header from the cache key for static asset paths, CloudFront can treat identical asset requests as cache hits, restoring cache efficiency and reducing origin load.
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.
- ✗
Keep the Authorization header but increase the cache TTL to 1 year to reduce revalidation frequency.
Why it's wrong here
If Authorization values differ per user or session and Authorization is included in the cache key, the cache can still be fragmented into many unique cache entries. A larger TTL does not improve the hit ratio caused by cache key variability.
- ✓
Update the CloudFront cache policy so that Authorization is excluded from the cache key for static asset paths.
Why this is correct
When Authorization is part of the cache key, each unique token can create separate cache entries, lowering the cache hit ratio and increasing origin requests. Excluding Authorization from the cache key (and typically from the origin request policy for static assets) allows caching to be based on the URL path/query string, improving hit ratio and reducing S3 origin load.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Remove CloudFront and serve assets directly from the S3 website endpoint to reduce CloudFront charges.
Why it's wrong here
By removing CloudFront, requests would reach S3 more directly, typically increasing latency and often increasing total cost for high-traffic workloads due to loss of edge caching.
- ✗
Switch the S3 origin from private access to public access so CloudFront can cache assets more effectively.
Why it's wrong here
Origin access settings affect security (for example, OAC/OAI), not whether Authorization headers fragment the CloudFront cache key. Caching behavior should be corrected at the cache policy/origin request policy layer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume increasing TTL or making the origin public solves caching issues, but the real problem is the cache key variation caused by the Authorization header, which must be explicitly excluded from the cache policy for static content.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFront uses cache keys composed of request attributes (e.g., headers, query strings, cookies) to determine if a cached response can be served. When the Authorization header is included in the cache key, even identical asset requests with different tokens (e.g., from different users) are treated as distinct objects, fragmenting the cache. Excluding the Authorization header for static assets is safe because these files are public and do not require authentication, allowing CloudFront to aggregate requests and serve a single cached copy to all users.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Update the CloudFront cache policy so that Authorization is excluded from the cache key for static asset paths. — The drop in cache hit ratio is caused by the Authorization header being included in asset requests, which makes each request unique from CloudFront's perspective, preventing cache reuse. By updating the CloudFront cache policy to exclude the Authorization header from the cache key for static asset paths, CloudFront can treat identical asset requests as cache hits, restoring cache efficiency and reducing origin load.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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