- A
Configure a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key.
Correct because cookies and headers that do not affect content create unnecessary cache variants. Removing them from the cache key makes CloudFront reuse the same object more often.
- B
Enable Origin Shield for the distribution to reduce duplicate requests reaching the S3 origin.
Correct because Origin Shield adds a regional caching layer that absorbs repeated origin misses. It reduces duplicate S3 GETs and improves origin efficiency under repeated viewer demand.
- C
Enable compression for text-based objects such as JavaScript and CSS.
Correct because compression lowers transfer size for assets that compress well. That improves delivery performance and reduces bytes transferred without changing the underlying content.
- D
Switch the origin to an Application Load Balancer so CloudFront can cache the assets more effectively.
Why wrong: Incorrect because an ALB is not required for static S3 delivery and does not by itself improve cache hit ratio. The real issue is cache-key fragmentation and lack of edge optimization.
- E
Disable caching so viewers always retrieve the newest version directly from S3.
Why wrong: Incorrect because disabling caching increases origin traffic, latency, and S3 request costs. Static assets are usually ideal candidates for aggressive caching with controlled invalidation or versioning.
SAA-C03 Design High-Performing Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design high-performing architectures. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 website stores assets in S3 and is delivered through CloudFront. Analytics show low cache hit ratio, many origin fetches for the same JavaScript bundles, and elevated S3 GET request costs. Most requests include unnecessary cookies, and the text assets are uncompressed. Which changes should the team make? Select three.
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
Configure a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key.
Option A is correct because a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key prevents CloudFront from creating multiple cache entries for the same object based on varying cookie values. This increases the cache hit ratio by ensuring that identical JavaScript bundles are served from the edge cache rather than triggering separate origin fetches for each unique request, thereby reducing S3 GET request costs.
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.
- ✓
Configure a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key.
Why this is correct
Correct because cookies and headers that do not affect content create unnecessary cache variants. Removing them from the cache key makes CloudFront reuse the same object more often.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Enable Origin Shield for the distribution to reduce duplicate requests reaching the S3 origin.
Why this is correct
Correct because Origin Shield adds a regional caching layer that absorbs repeated origin misses. It reduces duplicate S3 GETs and improves origin efficiency under repeated viewer demand.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Enable compression for text-based objects such as JavaScript and CSS.
Why this is correct
Correct because compression lowers transfer size for assets that compress well. That improves delivery performance and reduces bytes transferred without changing the underlying content.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Switch the origin to an Application Load Balancer so CloudFront can cache the assets more effectively.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because an ALB is not required for static S3 delivery and does not by itself improve cache hit ratio. The real issue is cache-key fragmentation and lack of edge optimization.
- ✗
Disable caching so viewers always retrieve the newest version directly from S3.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because disabling caching increases origin traffic, latency, and S3 request costs. Static assets are usually ideal candidates for aggressive caching with controlled invalidation or versioning.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think an ALB origin improves caching for static assets (Option D) or that disabling caching solves freshness issues (Option E), when in fact both actions worsen performance and cost for a static website served through CloudFront.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFront cache keys are built from the request's host, URL path, query strings, headers, and cookies. By default, all cookies are included, causing different cache entries for each unique cookie value even if the content is identical. Excluding unnecessary cookies via a cache policy normalizes the cache key, while enabling Origin Shield creates an additional caching layer that consolidates requests from multiple edge locations, further reducing origin load. Compression (e.g., gzip or Brotli) reduces transfer size, lowering S3 GET costs and improving delivery speed.
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: Configure a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key. — Option A is correct because a CloudFront cache policy that excludes unnecessary cookies and headers from the cache key prevents CloudFront from creating multiple cache entries for the same object based on varying cookie values. This increases the cache hit ratio by ensuring that identical JavaScript bundles are served from the edge cache rather than triggering separate origin fetches for each unique request, thereby reducing S3 GET request costs.
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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