- A
Create gateway VPC endpoints for S3.
A gateway endpoint for S3 allows private access without sending traffic through a NAT Gateway. It keeps S3 traffic on the AWS network and reduces NAT processing charges.
- B
Create gateway VPC endpoints for DynamoDB.
DynamoDB also supports gateway endpoints, which remove the need for NAT when private subnets access the service. This directly lowers cost and keeps traffic private.
- C
Create an interface VPC endpoint for Secrets Manager.
Secrets Manager uses an interface endpoint for private connectivity from a VPC. This avoids internet egress and lets the workload reach the service without a NAT Gateway.
- D
Place the instances in public subnets with an internet gateway.
Why wrong: Public subnets increase exposure and do not solve the cost goal in a better way. They also violate the requirement to keep traffic private where possible.
- E
Keep the NAT Gateway and add a proxy instance for service access.
Why wrong: A proxy instance adds more management work and does not remove the NAT Gateway cost. It is a poor fit when AWS-native VPC endpoints can satisfy the requirement directly.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a gateway endpoint for S3, a gateway endpoint for DynamoDB, and an interface endpoint for Secrets Manager. This combination directly eliminates NAT gateway costs by keeping all traffic on the AWS network, as gateway endpoints are free and interface endpoints incur only hourly charges with no data processing fees. On the SAA-C03 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between gateway and interface VPC endpoints: gateway endpoints are used for S3 and DynamoDB, while interface endpoints are required for all other AWS services like Secrets Manager. A common trap is assuming all endpoints are interface endpoints, which would miss the cost-saving opportunity. Remember the memory tip: “S3 and DDB get the free gateway; everything else gets the paid interface.”
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.
An application runs in private subnets and must access Amazon S3, Amazon DynamoDB, and AWS Secrets Manager. The security team wants the traffic to stay on the AWS network and the finance team wants to eliminate NAT Gateway charges. Which three changes should they make? Select three.
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
Create gateway VPC endpoints for S3.
A gateway VPC endpoint for S3 allows instances in private subnets to access S3 over the AWS network without traversing the internet or a NAT gateway. This eliminates NAT Gateway charges and keeps traffic on the AWS backbone, meeting both security and cost requirements.
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.
- ✓
Create gateway VPC endpoints for S3.
- ✓
Create gateway VPC endpoints for DynamoDB.
- ✓
Create an interface VPC endpoint for Secrets Manager.
- ✗
Place the instances in public subnets with an internet gateway.
Why it's wrong here
Public subnets increase exposure and do not solve the cost goal in a better way. They also violate the requirement to keep traffic private where possible.
- ✗
Keep the NAT Gateway and add a proxy instance for service access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse gateway endpoints (for S3 and DynamoDB) with interface endpoints (for most other AWS services), leading them to incorrectly select interface endpoints for S3 or DynamoDB, which would incur hourly charges and not be the most cost-optimized solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Gateway VPC endpoints use prefix lists and route table entries to direct traffic to S3 and DynamoDB via the AWS global network, avoiding internet gateways or NAT devices. Interface VPC endpoints, used for Secrets Manager, rely on AWS PrivateLink and Elastic Network Interfaces (ENIs) in the VPC, enabling private connectivity via DNS resolution. This combination ensures all three services are accessed without public IPs or NAT costs.
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: Create gateway VPC endpoints for S3. — A gateway VPC endpoint for S3 allows instances in private subnets to access S3 over the AWS network without traversing the internet or a NAT gateway. This eliminates NAT Gateway charges and keeps traffic on the AWS backbone, meeting both security and cost requirements.
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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