Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →hardmultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Lambda logs: REPORT RequestId: 9d6b... Duration: 184.27 ms Billed Duration: 185 ms Memory Size: 1024 MB Max Memory Used: 612 MB Init Duration: 812.43 ms Traffic pattern: - Low traffic outside weekdays 09:00-09:15 UTC - Predictable spike every weekday - Function language: Python 3.12 - No need to keep spare capacity all day
Based on the exhibit, a serverless checkout API is implemented in AWS Lambda and deployed in one Region. The function has a cold-start time of 700-900 ms on the first request after idle periods. Marketing launches a predictable traffic spike every weekday at 09:00 UTC, and the p95 latency target is under 150 ms during the first five minutes of the spike. What should the solutions architect do to meet the latency target while controlling cost?
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
Distractor review
Increase the Lambda memory size and leave concurrency at the default value.
More memory can improve execution speed, but it does not eliminate cold starts when a function has been idle.
B
Best answer
Configure provisioned concurrency and scale it up before the predictable spike begins.
Provisioned concurrency keeps pre-initialized environments ready, which removes most cold-start latency. Because the spike is predictable, you can scale concurrency before 09:00 UTC and reduce it afterward to control cost.
C
Distractor review
Put the Lambda function behind an Application Load Balancer so the load balancer absorbs the initialization delay.
An ALB does not remove Lambda initialization time; it only changes how requests are routed to the function.
D
Distractor review
Set reserved concurrency to the expected peak so Lambda will pre-create execution environments.
Reserved concurrency limits concurrent executions, but it does not pre-warm execution environments or eliminate cold starts.
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
A solutions architect is designing an S3 bucket for a claims portal. The objects must never be publicly accessible, even if a developer later adds an overly broad bucket policy. What should the architect configure?
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: Configure provisioned concurrency and scale it up before the predictable spike begins. — The exhibit shows that cold-start initialization, not code execution time, is pushing latency above target. Provisioned concurrency is the Lambda feature that keeps environments initialized and ready to serve requests. Because the traffic spike happens on a known schedule, the team can scale provisioned concurrency shortly before the spike and reduce it afterward, which meets the latency target without paying for excess always-on capacity all day. Increasing memory may reduce execution time, but it does not prevent cold starts. An ALB is not a warm-up mechanism for Lambda; it simply forwards requests. Reserved concurrency is a protection and throttling control, not a pre-initialization feature, so it will not solve the first-request delay shown in the logs.
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.
Discussion
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