- A
Point read-only queries to the Aurora reader endpoint instead of the writer endpoint.
The reader endpoint is intended for read-only traffic and automatically distributes connections across Aurora Replicas. Redirecting SELECT statements away from the writer immediately reduces CPU pressure on the writer and uses the unused read capacity already available in the cluster. This is the fastest, lowest-risk way to improve read throughput without changing the schema or the application data model.
- B
Add one or more additional Aurora Replicas and distribute read traffic across them.
Each additional Aurora Replica adds independent read capacity to the cluster. For a read-heavy workload, more replicas increase total throughput and provide more room for the application to spread load. Because the application already accepts eventual consistency, replicas are a good fit and can be used through the reader endpoint or application-side routing.
- C
Convert the cluster to a single-AZ RDS MySQL instance to reduce replication overhead.
Why wrong: This would remove Aurora’s read-scaling architecture and reduce availability. A single-AZ instance also concentrates all traffic on one node, which is the opposite of what this workload needs. It may reduce replication complexity, but it does not increase read throughput.
- D
Replace the writer endpoint with the instance endpoint of the primary node to speed up SELECT queries.
Why wrong: The primary writer is already the bottleneck in the scenario. Sending more SELECT traffic to the writer endpoint or its instance endpoint increases contention on the busiest node and does not add any new read capacity. That choice worsens the current CPU imbalance.
- E
Add Amazon ElastiCache and move all database writes into the cache layer.
Why wrong: A cache can offload some read traffic, but it is not a substitute for the database for transactional writes. Moving writes into a cache layer would break durability and consistency guarantees. The question asks for a direct Aurora read-scaling fix without schema redesign, so replica-based scaling is the right approach.
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.
An application uses Amazon Aurora MySQL. CloudWatch shows the writer instance near 85% CPU while the only reader instance averages 15% CPU. Trace logs show that all SELECT statements still target the writer endpoint. The workload is read-heavy, and the application already tolerates eventual consistency for reads. Which two changes will best increase total read throughput without a schema redesign? 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
Point read-only queries to the Aurora reader endpoint instead of the writer endpoint.
Option A is correct because the Aurora reader endpoint is designed to distribute read-only connections across all available Aurora Replicas, offloading SELECT queries from the writer instance. Currently, all SELECT statements target the writer endpoint, causing the writer's CPU to be at 85% while the reader instance is underutilized at 15%. By redirecting read traffic to the reader endpoint, the writer's CPU load decreases, and the existing reader instance can handle more read throughput without any schema changes.
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.
- ✓
Point read-only queries to the Aurora reader endpoint instead of the writer endpoint.
Why this is correct
The reader endpoint is intended for read-only traffic and automatically distributes connections across Aurora Replicas. Redirecting SELECT statements away from the writer immediately reduces CPU pressure on the writer and uses the unused read capacity already available in the cluster. This is the fastest, lowest-risk way to improve read throughput without changing the schema or the application data model.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Add one or more additional Aurora Replicas and distribute read traffic across them.
Why this is correct
Each additional Aurora Replica adds independent read capacity to the cluster. For a read-heavy workload, more replicas increase total throughput and provide more room for the application to spread load. Because the application already accepts eventual consistency, replicas are a good fit and can be used through the reader endpoint or application-side routing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Convert the cluster to a single-AZ RDS MySQL instance to reduce replication overhead.
Why it's wrong here
This would remove Aurora’s read-scaling architecture and reduce availability. A single-AZ instance also concentrates all traffic on one node, which is the opposite of what this workload needs. It may reduce replication complexity, but it does not increase read throughput.
- ✗
Replace the writer endpoint with the instance endpoint of the primary node to speed up SELECT queries.
Why it's wrong here
The primary writer is already the bottleneck in the scenario. Sending more SELECT traffic to the writer endpoint or its instance endpoint increases contention on the busiest node and does not add any new read capacity. That choice worsens the current CPU imbalance.
- ✗
Add Amazon ElastiCache and move all database writes into the cache layer.
Why it's wrong here
A cache can offload some read traffic, but it is not a substitute for the database for transactional writes. Moving writes into a cache layer would break durability and consistency guarantees. The question asks for a direct Aurora read-scaling fix without schema redesign, so replica-based scaling is the right approach.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think adding more reader instances alone solves the problem, but they must first redirect read traffic away from the writer endpoint—otherwise, the new replicas remain idle and the writer remains overloaded.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The primary writer is already the bottleneck in the scenario. Sending more SELECT traffic to the writer endpoint or its instance endpoint increases contention on the busiest node and does not add any new read capacity. That choice worsens the current CPU imbalance.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Aurora Replicas share the same underlying storage volume as the writer, so they can serve read traffic with minimal replication lag (typically under 100 ms) and no additional storage cost. The reader endpoint performs DNS round-robin across all available Aurora Replicas, automatically including new replicas as they are added. In a read-heavy workload that tolerates eventual consistency, distributing SELECTs across multiple reader endpoints can linearly increase read throughput, while the writer focuses on write operations and critical reads that require strong consistency.
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: Point read-only queries to the Aurora reader endpoint instead of the writer endpoint. — Option A is correct because the Aurora reader endpoint is designed to distribute read-only connections across all available Aurora Replicas, offloading SELECT queries from the writer instance. Currently, all SELECT statements target the writer endpoint, causing the writer's CPU to be at 85% while the reader instance is underutilized at 15%. By redirecting read traffic to the reader endpoint, the writer's CPU load decreases, and the existing reader instance can handle more read throughput without any schema changes.
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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