Quick Answer
The answer is to add an RDS read replica and route reporting queries to it. This is correct because a read replica is specifically designed to offload read queries from RDS MySQL, handling read-heavy workloads like analytics dashboards while the primary database focuses on writes. Unlike a Multi-AZ standby, which sits idle for failover only, a read replica is always accessible for reads, making it enforceable during normal operations. On the SAA-C03 exam, this tests your understanding of scaling read capacity versus high availability—a common trap is confusing Multi-AZ’s standby (unreadable) with a read replica (readable). Remember the key distinction: Multi-AZ is for disaster recovery, read replicas are for read scaling. Memory tip: “Replica for reads, Multi-AZ for needs” (failover needs).
This SAA-C03 practice question tests your understanding of design high-performing architectures. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: rDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance.. 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 analytics dashboard uses RDS MySQL and receives many read-only reporting queries that slow down the primary database. What should the architect add? The team wants the control to be enforceable during normal operations.
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
S3 lifecycle policy
Why wrong: Lifecycle policies manage object storage cost, not RDS read load.
RDS read replica and route reporting queries to it
Read replicas offload read traffic from the primary instance.
Multi-AZ standby and route reads to the standby
Why wrong: The Multi-AZ standby is not used for normal read scaling.
A larger NAT gateway
Why wrong: NAT throughput does not solve database read contention.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
RDS read replica and route reporting queries to it
B is correct because an RDS read replica is designed to offload read-heavy workloads from the primary database instance. By routing reporting queries to the read replica, the primary database is freed from processing these read-only requests, improving overall performance. This solution is enforceable during normal operations as the read replica is always available for reads, unlike a Multi-AZ standby which is not accessible for reads.
Key principle: RDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
S3 lifecycle policy
Why it's wrong here
Lifecycle policies manage object storage cost, not RDS read load.
RDS read replica and route reporting queries to it
Why this is correct
Read replicas offload read traffic from the primary instance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
RDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance.
Multi-AZ standby and route reads to the standby
Why it's wrong here
The Multi-AZ standby is not used for normal read scaling.
A larger NAT gateway
Why it's wrong here
NAT throughput does not solve database read contention.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing a Multi-AZ standby (which is not readable) with a read replica (which is readable), leading candidates to incorrectly choose C thinking the standby can serve reads.
Detailed technical explanation
RDS read replicas use asynchronous replication from the primary instance, meaning they can lag slightly behind but are suitable for reporting queries that tolerate eventual consistency. The read replica can be promoted to a primary in a disaster, but during normal operations it serves read traffic independently, scaling read capacity horizontally. In real-world scenarios, you can also use a load balancer or DNS to distribute read queries across multiple read replicas for even higher throughput.
Key takeaway
RDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Review rDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Design High-Performing Architectures — This question tests Design High-Performing Architectures — RDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance..
The correct answer is: RDS read replica and route reporting queries to it — B is correct because an RDS read replica is designed to offload read-heavy workloads from the primary database instance. By routing reporting queries to the read replica, the primary database is freed from processing these read-only requests, improving overall performance. This solution is enforceable during normal operations as the read replica is always available for reads, unlike a Multi-AZ standby which is not accessible for reads.
Review rDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance., then practise related SAA-C03 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
RDS Read Replicas are asynchronous copies of a primary database instance.
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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. A analytics dashboard uses RDS MySQL and receives many read-only reporting queries that slow down the primary database. What should the architect add? The architecture review board prefers a managed AWS-native control.
mediumWhy B: B is correct because an RDS read replica is a fully managed, native AWS solution that offloads read-heavy reporting queries from the primary RDS MySQL instance. The read replica asynchronously replicates data using the MySQL binlog, allowing reporting traffic to be routed to it without impacting the primary database's write performance. This directly addresses the slowdown caused by many read-only queries while satisfying the architecture review board's preference for a managed AWS-native control.
Variation 2. A analytics dashboard uses RDS MySQL and receives many read-only reporting queries that slow down the primary database. What should the architect add?
mediumWhy B: Adding an RDS read replica offloads read-heavy reporting queries from the primary MySQL instance, preserving write performance. The read replica asynchronously replicates data using MySQL's native binlog replication, and routing reporting queries to its endpoint reduces contention on the primary.
Variation 3. A analytics dashboard uses RDS MySQL and receives many read-only reporting queries that slow down the primary database. What should the architect add? The design must avoid adding custom operational scripts.
mediumWhy B: RDS read replicas are designed specifically to offload read-heavy workloads from the primary DB instance. By routing reporting queries to a read replica, the primary database is freed from processing those queries, reducing contention and improving overall performance. This approach requires no custom scripts—AWS handles replication automatically.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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