- A
Configure a CloudFront cache policy that forwards only the query strings, headers, and cookies the app actually needs.
Reducing the cache key to only required values increases cache hit ratio and lowers origin fetches. CloudFront can reuse responses more effectively when unnecessary request data is not forwarded.
- B
Use versioned file names for static assets and set a long TTL for immutable objects.
Versioned filenames let you cache assets aggressively without risking stale content after deployments. Long TTLs reduce repeated origin requests and lower both transfer and request costs.
- C
Increase the size of the S3 bucket.
Why wrong: Bucket size does not improve cache reuse or reduce request costs. The issue is cacheability, not storage capacity.
- D
Place an Application Load Balancer in front of S3.
Why wrong: An ALB is not used as a front end for static S3 content in this pattern. It adds unnecessary infrastructure and does not address the cache key problem.
- E
Disable caching so clients always get the latest files.
Why wrong: Disabling caching guarantees more origin traffic and higher cost. The deployment already uses versioned assets, so cache efficiency should increase rather than disappear.
Quick Answer
The answer is to use versioned file names for static assets and set a long TTL for immutable objects, combined with a cache policy that strips unneeded query strings and cookies. This works because versioned filenames make each file uniquely identifiable upon release, so CloudFront treats it as a new object and caches it indefinitely, while a long TTL prevents repeated validation requests to the S3 origin. On the SAA-C03 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to reduce CloudFront origin traffic by cache policy and versioned filenames, often appearing as a two-part answer where one option addresses cache key pollution and the other ensures immutability. A common trap is selecting “invalidate the cache” instead of using versioned filenames, which would still cause origin fetches for every new deployment. Remember the mnemonic: “Version and lock—cache won’t mock.”
SAA-C03 Design Cost-Optimized Architectures Practice Question
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design cost-optimized 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 site is hosted in Amazon S3 and delivered by CloudFront. After a frontend release, the same JavaScript bundles are fetched repeatedly from the origin. Logs show that requests include unneeded query strings and cookies, which prevent cache reuse. Which two changes should the team make to reduce origin traffic and cost? Select two.
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 forwards only the query strings, headers, and cookies the app actually needs.
Option A is correct because CloudFront cache policies allow you to explicitly control which query strings, headers, and cookies are forwarded to the origin. By forwarding only the parameters the application actually needs, you prevent cache keys from being polluted by unneeded values, which increases the cache hit ratio and reduces requests to the S3 origin. This directly addresses the problem of repeated fetches caused by extraneous query strings and cookies.
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 forwards only the query strings, headers, and cookies the app actually needs.
Why this is correct
Reducing the cache key to only required values increases cache hit ratio and lowers origin fetches. CloudFront can reuse responses more effectively when unnecessary request data is not forwarded.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Use versioned file names for static assets and set a long TTL for immutable objects.
Why this is correct
Versioned filenames let you cache assets aggressively without risking stale content after deployments. Long TTLs reduce repeated origin requests and lower both transfer and request costs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the size of the S3 bucket.
Why it's wrong here
Bucket size does not improve cache reuse or reduce request costs. The issue is cacheability, not storage capacity.
- ✗
Place an Application Load Balancer in front of S3.
Why it's wrong here
An ALB is not used as a front end for static S3 content in this pattern. It adds unnecessary infrastructure and does not address the cache key problem.
- ✗
Disable caching so clients always get the latest files.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling caching guarantees more origin traffic and higher cost. The deployment already uses versioned assets, so cache efficiency should increase rather than disappear.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think disabling caching (Option E) or adding an ALB (Option D) would help, but these actions either increase origin load or add unnecessary cost, whereas the correct approach is to refine the cache key and use immutable asset versioning.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFront cache keys are composed from the request's protocol, host, path, and any forwarded query strings, headers, or cookies. When a cache policy forwards all query strings (the default behavior), even a trivial parameter like `?v=1` creates a distinct cache key, causing a cache miss. Using versioned file names (e.g., `app.abc123.js`) combined with a long TTL (e.g., 1 year) and the `immutable` directive in the `Cache-Control` header ensures that CloudFront never revalidates the object, eliminating origin requests for unchanged assets. This pattern is recommended by AWS for static asset optimization.
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 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: Configure a CloudFront cache policy that forwards only the query strings, headers, and cookies the app actually needs. — Option A is correct because CloudFront cache policies allow you to explicitly control which query strings, headers, and cookies are forwarded to the origin. By forwarding only the parameters the application actually needs, you prevent cache keys from being polluted by unneeded values, which increases the cache hit ratio and reduces requests to the S3 origin. This directly addresses the problem of repeated fetches caused by extraneous query strings and cookies.
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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