- A
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync transfers data and does not recommend compute sizes.
- B
AWS Shield
Why wrong: Shield protects against DDoS and does not analyse instance sizing.
- C
AWS Artifact
Why wrong: Artifact provides compliance reports and agreements, not rightsizing recommendations.
- D
AWS Compute Optimizer
Compute Optimizer analyses utilisation metrics and recommends rightsizing for supported resources.
Question 803 of 1,040
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 test environment has EC2 instances that are oversized based on CPU, memory, and network utilisation. Which AWS service should identify rightsizing recommendations? The architecture review board prefers a managed AWS-native control.
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
✓
AWS Compute Optimizer
AWS Compute Optimizer is a managed service that uses machine learning to analyze historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) and provides rightsizing recommendations for EC2 instances. It identifies over-provisioned resources and suggests instance types that better match workload requirements, directly addressing the oversized EC2 instances in the test environment.
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.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync transfers data and does not recommend compute sizes.
- ✗
AWS Shield
Why it's wrong here
Shield protects against DDoS and does not analyse instance sizing.
- ✗
AWS Artifact
Why it's wrong here
Artifact provides compliance reports and agreements, not rightsizing recommendations.
- ✓
AWS Compute Optimizer
Why this is correct
Compute Optimizer analyses utilisation metrics and recommends rightsizing for supported resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse AWS Compute Optimizer with other monitoring or cost tools (like AWS Trusted Advisor or Cost Explorer), but the question specifically asks for a managed AWS-native service that identifies rightsizing recommendations, which is Compute Optimizer's primary function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AWS Compute Optimizer ingests CloudWatch metrics (e.g., CPUUtilization, MemoryUtilization, NetworkIn/Out) over a lookback period of up to 14 days and applies machine learning models to generate recommendations. It also considers instance family, EBS volume type, and pricing models (e.g., Reserved Instances, Savings Plans) to provide actionable insights. In a real-world scenario, an organization with fluctuating workloads might use Compute Optimizer to consolidate instances and reduce costs by up to 20-30% without performance degradation.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
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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: AWS Compute Optimizer — AWS Compute Optimizer is a managed service that uses machine learning to analyze historical utilization metrics (CPU, memory, network, and storage) and provides rightsizing recommendations for EC2 instances. It identifies over-provisioned resources and suggests instance types that better match workload requirements, directly addressing the oversized EC2 instances in the test environment.
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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